Yickit: Its not a word...yet » Outdoors

Theodore Roosevelt Island

eschapp — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:30:44 +0000

We visited TR’s memorial this past weekend. One of the lesser visited memorials in the DC area but definitely worth the trip:

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Off to West Virginia

eschapp — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:21:03 +0000

I’ll be heading to West Virginia with the wife and a couple of friends. We are going to be spending the weekend in a log cabin and trying to avoid the rain. The cabins are supposed to be pretty rustic:

The only heating available is from the cabin’s fireplace which should be fun. We’ll be staying at a place called Lost River State Park. If the rain stays away it should it should be a great weekend to be outdoors; and even if it doesn’t stay away, we’ll get a lot of reading done and have plenty of time to play some games.

Friday Random 10 Songs:

The Teeth – Worn and Grazed: A Park the Van Sampler: “So Long”
Rise Against – Siren Song of the Counter Culture: “Swing Life Away”
The Beatles – 1: “She Loves You”
FM Static – Critically Ashamed: “The Video Store”
Green Day – American Idiot: “Are We the Waiting”
The Clash – London Calling: “Clash City Rockers”
Bob Dylan – The Best of Bob Dylan: “Hurricane”
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication: “Californication”
Switchfoot – Oh! Gravity: “Let Your Love Be Strong”
Linkin Park – Reanimation: “H! Vltg3 [DJ Babu]”

I read Waiting for White Horses by Nathan Jorgenson after much prodding from my dad. He had commented on the book a number of times always making sure to point out that the book was written by a “local” author (Jorgenson lives in Minnesota. His biography is found here). Although the book has a very Minnesota/Midwest feel, some of the action takes place in Washington DC, which was quite a surprise. And the blending of the two different cultures is very interesting. The book includes topics that nearly always lead to my enjoyment of a book:

Outdoors
Politics
Baseball
Death
Naturalism

I really enjoyed reading this book. Perhaps I was predisposed to enjoying this book, because I am from the Midwest and live in DC, but I think that most of the feeling, motions and events would resonate with almost everyone. Who hasn’t experienced loss that they couldn’t cope with, or been to a baseball game? The narrative is a very American story: that anyone can create change both in themselves and also in society itself, that no man should let other define his story, and that everyone has an obligation to their family and friends.

It is difficult to find a book that successfully blends politics, hunting/nature, and romance, and then also creates a compelling narrative. But this book does just that. It is a unique and original story; I have never encountered a similar book. If you are looking for a plot line that is different from the books you usually read, and are open to exploring a more Midwestern view of the world you should check out this book.

Has anyone else read this book? Or have you encountered a story with a unique topic? A book similar to Waiting for White Horses?

Flix – Jeremiah Johnson

eschapp — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 04:44:04 +0000

I’ve really been on a wilderness kick lately, and the latest movie I’ve seen reflects that trend. Jeremiah Johnson is the story of a mountain man. The movie opens with a song and a narration:

His name was Jeremiah Johnson, and they say he wanted to be a mountain man. The story goes that he was a man of proper wit and adventurous spirit, suited to the mountains. Nobody knows whereabouts he come from and don’t seem to matter much. He was a young man and ghostly stories about the tall hills didn’t scare him none. He was looking for a Hawken gun, .50 caliber or better. He settled for a .30, but damn, it was a genuine Hawken, and you couldn’t go no better. Bought him a good horse, and traps, and other truck that went with being a mountain man, and said good-bye to whatever life was down there below.

Basically, Jeremiah escapes the tragedies of war and his life by moving into the mountains to become a fur trapper.

His first winter nearly kills him, but with a little help, Jeremiah becomes one of the best trappers. The story is very complex, there is humor, action and despair throughout the film and Robert Redford does a very good job of acting. Jeremiah does get into many fights with local Indians (Flatheads and Crows I believe) and while some the fighting scenes could have been done better, the are sufficient. Really the story and cinematics (unbelievable mountain views) make up for any of Jeremiah Johnson’s Shortcomings.

If you are at all interested in the outdoors, camping, backpacking, or even just the 1800′s I definitely recommend watching this film, especially if you thought Cast Away need a little more action. Even better, use the film as a launching point of whatever adventure of your own you can create. It doesn’t have to be as drastic as moving into the solitude of the mountains, a weekend camping trip, a road trip with some friends, or even a day bicycling can create memories that you’ll cherish forever.

How about it? Are there any other movies out there that have inspired you to act? Or are there other great movies about the outdoors?

I’m No Tree Hugger But Leave No Trace Is a Good Mantra.

eschapp — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 04:29:42 +0000

I would never call myself an environmentalist, at least in the political sense, but I do enjoy the outdoors and many activities that it enables.Â Camping, running,Â sports, or even just sitting outside are only possible if we maintain nature responsibly. Â Before I give the impression that I’m a hippie tree hugger, let me clarify what I mean.Â Generally,Â I am okay with people using nature for profit or commercial enterprises (developing marshlands, draining fields, farming, logging, or whatever else) as long as those enterprises are responsible.Â No slashing and burning, no strip mining, and planting new trees for every tree felled are all adequate practices.Â But what I have learned to accept as my general rules when I am camping or using the outdoors are the following basics which come from LeaveNoTrace.org:

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Of course these rules come from the Leave No Trace Organization, which is geared primerily towards camping, hikingÂ and backpacking.Â They govern the proper conduction you should utilize when using/appreciating nature.Â But once again these rules boil down to: Be Responsible for your own actions.Â If you are concerned about getting caught for doing something, or are wondering if something you might do is wrong, chances are that it is wrong.Â Use your common sense when using nature, and we’ll have many many years of outdoor fun.

What are some of your favorite ways to enjoy nature?Â Or do you have something to add about how to respect the world we live in?