Ace and I went for a walk today, was cloudy and spitting snow all day but it was good for the both of us to get some woods time in.
I'm often asked exactly what I did to be able to keep Ace from running off all the time. The breed was bred to run from man, away and drawing hard on the line, the sled skimming the snow as the man shouts direction and encouragement. It's what these dogs were meant to do. It's a combination of luck, geography and bond I think. He stays when I want him to, comes when I call, he doesn't streak and for that I'm grateful. I think most of the reason is he isn't leashed, tied, chained, or locked inside. He's free and thus his energy level remains relatively level and even keeled.
The video shoes us afield with both of us doing the kinds of things we were meant to do.
Some of the other images from the day...
Today was the first honest outing with the Heavy Cover Titanium Canteen. If fits very snugly in the side pockets of a Frost River Isle Royal Jr.
It was very cold today, the titanium lid froze to the canteen itself, it was very hard to get the cap off the first time. A couple taps and it came free but there is a definite possibility of freezing the lid on.
Random shots of fire prep, gear used and so on.
This is a Nordic-ware pan, kinda has a concave bottom, has a nonstick coating and is very light. I wanted to try it out for baking over a camp fire.
Using a wooden spoon to push the mix out over the bottom of the pan.
Pulled some coals out of the fire and set the pan on them, then scooped some more coals onto the top.
Thanks for looking!
I'm often asked exactly what I did to be able to keep Ace from running off all the time. The breed was bred to run from man, away and drawing hard on the line, the sled skimming the snow as the man shouts direction and encouragement. It's what these dogs were meant to do. It's a combination of luck, geography and bond I think. He stays when I want him to, comes when I call, he doesn't streak and for that I'm grateful. I think most of the reason is he isn't leashed, tied, chained, or locked inside. He's free and thus his energy level remains relatively level and even keeled.
The video shoes us afield with both of us doing the kinds of things we were meant to do.
Some of the other images from the day...
Today was the first honest outing with the Heavy Cover Titanium Canteen. If fits very snugly in the side pockets of a Frost River Isle Royal Jr.
It was very cold today, the titanium lid froze to the canteen itself, it was very hard to get the cap off the first time. A couple taps and it came free but there is a definite possibility of freezing the lid on.
Random shots of fire prep, gear used and so on.
This is a Nordic-ware pan, kinda has a concave bottom, has a nonstick coating and is very light. I wanted to try it out for baking over a camp fire.
Using a wooden spoon to push the mix out over the bottom of the pan.
Pulled some coals out of the fire and set the pan on them, then scooped some more coals onto the top.
Thanks for looking!
Some wonderfull winterstuff as always, Jim.
ReplyDeleteWith every passing day there less left around here.
Allthough I've had only had cats for the past 25 years, seeing Ace frolic around in the snow makes me realise again that I do want a dog in the future again too. Grew up with one or more present all the time.
I see you can use your left hand again, at least with enough strength to hold a full canteen. Good news!
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Ron. I've got a splint on that index finger but the rest f the hand is fine. Long as I keep that one straight and immobilized I do okay.
DeleteGreat report. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI love sitting here in South Texas watching you have fun up there. It makes me miss the old days when I was stationed in Washington and Alaska.
Ha, thanks man, don't think I could live where it isn't cold 5 months out of the year.
DeleteGreat to see you out again, Jim. That Tracker is definitely "yours" now, and a field companion like Ace can't help but make all the outings that much better.
ReplyDeleteThere was a time that I would have loved to do the same. These days, I've learned that I prefer the color brown to white. Guess I'm getting too old for my own good. Love the pictures, nice dog.
ReplyDeleteThanks GS! I hear ya, even though winter is in my DNA and it's the King season for me there are times here in late April and all the way to mid May that I begin to want it to go away and the green up to begin.
DeleteI misread the post title. Thought it said, "A Day Without Ace". GOOD LORD WHAT'S HAPPENED TO ACE?!? I'll be more careful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, as always. I just love following along your treks! Thanks.
Ha, now I'm doing it. Thanks Marica!
DeleteBetter teach Ace to pull that sled. :)
ReplyDeleteSnow is what we are missing here this year. Finally getting a little rain, but not nearly enough to break the drought. At least it's a change from the dry cold.
I thought about it and just might do it next winter for treks that are not going to get off the beaten path sure enough.
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