Camping Swanking - June 28 - July 3 - Page 44

blueerica · 04-24-2007, 10:36 AM

My worst nature experience (that I can think of right now) really wasn't all that bad. On my last trip to Utah, I went out to Antelope Island. It was a beautiful day, when we decided to walk up... Oh, I forget what it's called Bison Point, or Ridge or something. Anyhow, there were a few gnats, but nothing to worry about. As we ascended, it got worse, but... we were getting so close! The view was supposedly breathtaking, so gnats... pshaw! They were nothing compared to what we thought we would see. As we get to the top, the gnat situation was bordering on unbearable, the view was so-so (probably because we were spending our time swatting at the gnats sticking to our sweaty necks) and the way down was steep and awkward with grandmas and grandpas trying to make it up the steep and thin pathway.

Once back to solid ground, we cleared as many of the gnats off ourselves as we could, got into the car, spent the day elsewhere on the island, went home, took a shower and... AAAAAAAAAAACCCCCKKKKKK!!! Gnats going down the drain. Which meant gnats in my hair all day.

And really, gnats aren't all that bad. But, now I've gotta go jump around the house because I feel gnats all over me again.

innerSpaceman · 04-24-2007, 11:50 AM

N.A. - firstly, I am gratified and relieved you will be standing watch over our campground all night - - for that is the only time you are likely to see a bear.

And, alas, Laurie can't go. So if neither zapppop nor Gemini Cricket are up for it (and can get a retail/restaurant weekend off work), I'm seriously not going.

It's not bears I'm really frightened of (but, yeah that 1 mm of tent nylon is to protect ME from seeing them, not them from getting at me).

I had a very scary episode the last time I went camping. Freaked me and my girlfriend out. We almost abandoned our campsite and everyone in it to be butchered by something evil and supernatural ... but instead watched over the campsite till dawn from within the safety (and escape-readiness) of our vehicle.

I won't be tent-sleeping alone ... ever again.

Capt Jack · 04-24-2007, 12:00 PM

this will be my first camping trip "alone" as it were (even though I'll be far from alone). alone as in no family or other heavily armed members of a party to assist in the event of the unforseen UFO/mutant martian bear attacks.

I can hardly wait!

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I had a very scary episode the last time I went camping. Freaked me and my girlfriend out. We almost abandoned our campsite and everyone in it to be butchered by something evil and supernatural ... but instead watched over the campsite till dawn from within the safety (and escape-readiness) of our vehicle.

sounds like a great story! you have to come even if only to tell us the rest of that tale!

Moonliner · 04-24-2007, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDBopper

I use a cane..so we could always fend the bear off with that. LOL

I like what the Ranger told us about bears before we went hiking in Denali:

"Prey runs. You don't want to be prey. Stand your ground, be big and be loud. "

Disneyphile · 04-24-2007, 12:15 PM

Bears are also very lazy. They're kinda like giant cats.

On my last big campout up in the Angeles Forest, we had two of them wandering our site during the day. (It was a group campsite, but most of the group wasn't there yet, so there was a lot of open space.)

We sat back, and watched them. One tried to look in the dumpster, but then couldn't get it open, so just wandered off slowly. The other sniffed around an empty picnic table, and then decided that was too much effort, so just flopped to the ground right next to it to relax in the shade. It laid there for about a half hour, occasionally cleaning itself, and just hanging out.

We were about 30 feet away - it would glance at us from time to time, but couldn't bother getting back to its feet until it found interest in something else to do.

Capt Jack · 04-24-2007, 12:25 PM

yeah, thats been more like 90% of the bear encounters Ive had as well.

"ooh a bear!"
"whats it doing?"
"not a heck of a lot"
"kewl!"

blueerica · 04-24-2007, 12:48 PM

iSm... I want you to go, and if it means sleeping in a tent, then by golly I'll do it!

Morrigoon · 04-24-2007, 12:53 PM

Yeah, we can't celebrate iSm's birthday w/out iSm!

BDBopper · 04-24-2007, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

I'm going to be really disappointed if we don't see any bears.

You could always play nice and be friendly with the bears. Maybe choreograph "In The Bag" andh ave them clean up the campsite.

Yeah like that's going to happen. LOL

Morrigoon · 04-24-2007, 01:42 PM

Can someone add the bear box dimensions to the wiki? I know they're in this thread somewhere, but damned if I can find it...

View Poll Results: What Weekend's Best for The Great Outdoors of Swank?
May 12 / 13 (means missing Mother's Day)	2	12.50%
May 19 / 20	1	6.25%
June 16 / 17 (means missing Father's Day)	1	6.25%
June 23 / 24	4	25.00%
June 30 / July 1 - did I mention my Bday's the 2nd?	9	56.25%
May 5 / 6 (includes Cinco de Mayo!)	3	18.75%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

04-24-2007, 10:36 AM	#431
blueerica Nueve Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,497	My worst nature experience (that I can think of right now) really wasn't all that bad. On my last trip to Utah, I went out to Antelope Island. It was a beautiful day, when we decided to walk up... Oh, I forget what it's called Bison Point, or Ridge or something. Anyhow, there were a few gnats, but nothing to worry about. As we ascended, it got worse, but... we were getting so close! The view was supposedly breathtaking, so gnats... pshaw! They were nothing compared to what we thought we would see. As we get to the top, the gnat situation was bordering on unbearable, the view was so-so (probably because we were spending our time swatting at the gnats sticking to our sweaty necks) and the way down was steep and awkward with grandmas and grandpas trying to make it up the steep and thin pathway. Once back to solid ground, we cleared as many of the gnats off ourselves as we could, got into the car, spent the day elsewhere on the island, went home, took a shower and... AAAAAAAAAAACCCCCKKKKKK!!! Gnats going down the drain. Which meant gnats in my hair all day. And really, gnats aren't all that bad. But, now I've gotta go jump around the house because I feel gnats all over me again. __________________ Tomorrow is the day for you and me
	Submit to Quotes

04-24-2007, 11:50 AM	#432
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	N.A. - firstly, I am gratified and relieved you will be standing watch over our campground all night - - for that is the only time you are likely to see a bear. And, alas, Laurie can't go. So if neither zapppop nor Gemini Cricket are up for it (and can get a retail/restaurant weekend off work), I'm seriously not going. It's not bears I'm really frightened of (but, yeah that 1 mm of tent nylon is to protect ME from seeing them, not them from getting at me). I had a very scary episode the last time I went camping. Freaked me and my girlfriend out. We almost abandoned our campsite and everyone in it to be butchered by something evil and supernatural ... but instead watched over the campsite till dawn from within the safety (and escape-readiness) of our vehicle. I won't be tent-sleeping alone ... ever again.
	Submit to Quotes

04-24-2007, 12:15 PM	#435
Disneyphile SQUIRREL! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the curbside. Posts: 5,098	Bears are also very lazy. They're kinda like giant cats. On my last big campout up in the Angeles Forest, we had two of them wandering our site during the day. (It was a group campsite, but most of the group wasn't there yet, so there was a lot of open space.) We sat back, and watched them. One tried to look in the dumpster, but then couldn't get it open, so just wandered off slowly. The other sniffed around an empty picnic table, and then decided that was too much effort, so just flopped to the ground right next to it to relax in the shade. It laid there for about a half hour, occasionally cleaning itself, and just hanging out. We were about 30 feet away - it would glance at us from time to time, but couldn't bother getting back to its feet until it found interest in something else to do.
	Submit to Quotes

04-24-2007, 12:25 PM	#436
Capt Jack check your head Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,174	yeah, thats been more like 90% of the bear encounters Ive had as well. "ooh a bear!" "whats it doing?" "not a heck of a lot" "kewl!" __________________ a clear conscience is a sure sign of a fuzzy memory
	Submit to Quotes

04-24-2007, 12:48 PM	#437
blueerica Nueve Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,497	iSm... I want you to go, and if it means sleeping in a tent, then by golly I'll do it! __________________ Tomorrow is the day for you and me
	Submit to Quotes

04-24-2007, 12:53 PM	#438
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	Yeah, we can't celebrate iSm's birthday w/out iSm! __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
	Submit to Quotes

04-24-2007, 01:42 PM	#440
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	Can someone add the bear box dimensions to the wiki? I know they're in this thread somewhere, but damned if I can find it... __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
	Submit to Quotes

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode