Recent Trip To the Glacier Peak Wilderness

(transcribed by Fred G. Cliffy to lazy to post)

The plan was to climb Maude and 7 Fingered Jack in one day.  Due to the heat, I only made Maude and passed on 7FJ due to the amount of water I was consuming (over 7 liters in 7 hours on the Maude climb) and no visible water source on 7FJ.  Reaching my camp in the Leroy Basin at 2 pm, the flies were huge and eating me alive, and due to the temp. inside my tent, I opted to hike out.  I reached Leavenworth around 7 pm and took up shelter in motel that had a 20 foot statue of a black night.  Awesome.  Slammed a burger and a few beers at Gustovs and called it a night.

Nestucca River Back Country Byway

Ah the last days of summer are upon us. Wednesday I decided to ride the Nestucca river.  With a chill in the air and a over cast sky I headed towards Tillamook via rt 6 which follows the Wilson river, it's a great road with long sweeping turns. I actually had to stop and buy some thermals.  From there I jumped onto 101 south and made a quick stop at Cape Lookout.  Made way down to a small town of Beaver and jumped onto the Nestucca River Road. I followed the 50 mile river the through a wooded canyon. The river has been designated an Oregon State Scenic Waterway. The canyon is lined with weathered cliffs made of seafloor sandstones and basalts. The walls are covered by lichens, worts, and mosses. The woods lining the canyon is a temperate rain forest because it rains 120 inches annually. The area is considered one of the richest biomasses in the world. The first 1/3 was quite enjoyable, very scenic, road in great condition and great turns.  The middle 1/3 on the other hand was not my type of road plus 3 miles of it are not paved, I knew that going into it.  15 mph turns back and forth mixed in with sparingly 35 mph, shifting up and down up and down.  My bike is not geared for that so it got a little monotonous.  The last third was just like the beginning very enjoyable.  The trip was also a scouting trip for fishing.  I read that the river is a great river for Steelhead, but that must be more towards the mouth of the river bellow Tillamook because all I saw was some fine trout fishing.  All in all it was a nice trip, I would do it again, but maybe on a Sunday afternoon in a car with a nice lunch.  

They Say There's Something For Everybody

I'll let you know

Where is the old Devo I ask?  And when I say Old I'm referring to age. Singer Mark Mothersbaugh, guitarist Bob Mothersbaugh, and guitarist Bob Casale are now in their late 50s; bassist Gerald Casale is 61, yet all four had the stamina of their considerably younger drummer, Josh Freese. The band rocked the Crystal Ballroom last night, starting off some new songs, didn't even know they had a new album, which rocked and moved into classics.  The floor was bouncing for sure.  My only disappointment was the length of the show, I was hoping for a Gates Of Steel.  Show was totally worth the 40 bucks, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Sweet!

Where Am I?

Where am I?

Rolling Old School...Yo!

Check It!

The Blog hits 15,000 viewers!
(of course they are all FGM and BDF checking in to see if their post turned out okay)
Keep up the good work!

Hey! It's Me, Cliffy!

(Not really. If it was me, Cliffy, I would be posting something about my life and times. Maybe something to do with my life as it relates to hunting or fishing or even tomfoolery. Of course I realize that the act of not posting weakens the blog in general but I think that I should be posting ASAP. If I don't people will think that I don't believe in Lord Heston and think that the team is weak. Obviously, this is wrong. Look for a post soon. GBCH)

Cecil B. DaFolder

last week I ordered the Flambeau UV paint kit for mallards. It came in the mail a couple days later. Today I made a tasty beverage, put on my smock and started a paint-a-thon. At the finish I had created the most realistic and deadly decoy set in the known universe. The decoys you see before you are the very same ones that will assist me in slaying many green headed mallards this year. So many in fact, that I will be heralded as the "expert" once again.

According to the literature on the packaging the UV coating contained in the paint will fool Greenie into a sense of relative security while looking for a place to land. He will think that his bretheren are sitting in a safe haven of fine food and entertaining video games when in fact they are merely molded pieces of plastic designed to fool him. At the moment when he flies down, wings locked, to land I will be waiting with a nice big 3" shell full of Black Cloud steel. Imagine the surprise when he thinks to himself, "those aren't my ole' high school buddies!"

That's right Greenie, you will die. Thanks to my "expert' painting skills and forethought I will be the one laughing all the way to the bank with my $5 in hand. Possibly a $50 leg band too.
GBCH

Mmmm Peachy

Where Am I ?

Look for New series starting this week "Where Am I ?" It will consist of a picture and all you have to do is identify where I am standing.  It will start off easy.  For instance:

And the answer would be?

More good news.

By Matt Young

If you are a waterfowler, it's a fact of life that duck populations seldom remain at high levels for more than a few years at a time. Instead, waterfowl numbers fluctuate in concert with highly variable weather and habitat conditions on the breeding grounds, especially in the Prairie Pothole Region, where more than half of North America's ducks are raised. If you hunt long enough, you will experience these highs and lows firsthand, both in terms of hunting opportunities and the number of ducks you see from the blind.

In recent years, waterfowl numbers have once again been on the upswing, and in 2011 duck populations soared to record highs, thanks to exceptional wetland conditions across the prairies. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) reports that the May pond count on the prairies increased 22 percent from 6.7 million ponds in 2010 to 8.1 million ponds this spring.

The 2011 breeding population estimate for the 10 most common duck species in the traditional survey area was 45.6 million birds—an 11 percent increase from the previous year's estimate and the largest total estimate since surveys began in 1955. Mallards had a breeding population of 9.2 million birds—up 9 percent from last year and the largest estimate since 2000. In more good news for waterfowl hunters, blue-winged teal, redheads, and shovelers reached record highs this spring. In addition, pintails had a breeding population of 4.4 million birds, a 26 percent increase from the previous year and the first time this population has surpassed 4 million birds since 1980. Populations of all other duck species in the traditional survey area were statistically similar to last year. Only two species—scaup and American wigeon—were below their long-term averages.

Ring ring..............Ring ring.......

BDF. Thank you for calling Galena Ridge, home of Bob DaFolder golf Pro, Co Founder of the HOY7 Hunting Team and current "Expert"

Voice. "We are thinking of playing 9 holes. Where can we land the chopper."

BDF. Ahhhhh, how about in the field behind the Pro Shop?

Voice. "Okay, we'll be there in 20 minutes."

BDF. Ummm..... OK.

Lore

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Hip Hip?

It's the day before Cliffy has to go under the knife, so of course the best thing for him is a full day of slaying, a good bottle of whikey, a pack of smokes and a delicious sammy. We rise and shine at about 4:30 have a small breakfast, sprain both of my thumbs, pack the truck and head out. Remember it has been cold and the decision was lets hit The Old New Spot. We're on ole interstate 84 and almost to Troutdale when the big sign says "Highway Closed At Toutdale" which means no way of getting to the Old New Spot. We stop and ask the guy sitting in the truck, making double time cause it's Sunday, "when do they think the highway will be open?" He says they are going to evaluate it at about 8 am. Slightly befuddled Cliffy and I head back to the casa thinking that we will just go home get a little more sleep and then head back at about 7:30. A few exits down I remember that we could actually make it to the Old Spot if we drive through the town and take the back roads. I must admit the roads were a little scetch, but Cliffy and his expert driving got us there only to find, of course, 6 more trucks already there. Never the less we pack up and head up, Cliffy is not too psyched, his fine backpack frame the rest of the team had bought him for his birthday was still home in the corner of his room. This meant a very unpleasant walk out. (not to mention he had also packed a chair in his pack, while I was going commando.) After the long walk we find the Old Spot to be completely frozen over, although very beautiful not very hunt able. Being the expert that I am, I know the area like the back of my hand. I give the orders and we're off, within minutes I have us on a nice spot with open water. Cliffy threw out the blocks and I made a blind. Just before the opening bell a few greenies fly over our heads, it seems to be a promising day. After a hour or so we see nothing, I decide being their Expert leader I have to lead by example. If it aint happening make it happen is my motto. I'm going to take a walk and flush some ducks up or do some good ole pass shooting. I make it about a 1/2 mile down the slough and find a lone block washed up on shore, I could use him I thought. I picked him up wrapped up his string and called him Lucky. On my walk down I notice some ducks jumping and landing down by the Old New Spot. Since the highway is still closed there are no other hunters down there. What the heck I think I make it down to the awesome blind I used last week and through out Lucky. I sit and wait, and wait some more. Nothing. After searching for my lighter and missing my bottle, I decide to hike back to the blind. I wade out wrap up his string and 2 greenies are flying right at me over my head. I drop Lucky and unload the Benelli. Nothing, I heard laughing and I think they even said "you don't call that block Lucky, you call him Shithead." I pick up Shithead and head back. I find Andy in the blind and it's all lit up and the blocks are now on dry land. My wisdom brought us back to the truck, we ate the awesome sammys I made, packed up and we were on our way to the Old New Spot, our day was not over yet. It's now 12 in the afternoon, we get to the highway, still closed. We go home.

I loves the Foosball

VS

Betski? Best Record For the Year?

Let's Ride

Willapa Bay view from South Bend

Today my ride took me to the east bank of Washington to a small town of South Bend.  It wasn't a twisty ride but a scenic one.  I started on West Side Highway, a road that runs parallel to I-5 on the East side and  along a river and through the woods, woods decimated by logging. Before you start "how ugly" it was kinda cool.  Don't we all live in homes made of wood? some made of logs? stuff has to come from somewhere. I reached South Bend in about two hours, about 125 miles.  When I arrived I was shocked to find a small hamlet. A three bar town with small restaurants serving fried oysters, clam chowder and dungeness crab.  It reminded me of a small town on Cape Cod.  It's a town of some 1,700 located on the Willapa River in the heart of timber country and home to major seafood processors.  It's where we get our clams and some of our oysters from for the restaurant. Can't wait to get back and dive into some chowder and fried oyster.

 

Macks Prairie Wings Catalogue

Part # FLA625OPT
Flocked Decoy paint

Part # HUT5118
Mojo Wing Replacement Kit

Part # MIC100-12
Bore Snake

Part # FPCK
Wing Band Koozie

Shipping ASAP.
GBCH

Whistling On the Wings

I took my walk in the evening today, there was a slight chill to the air as the sunset sky was lit up with brilliant reds and oranges.  The old saying popped into my head about the sailors, "red sky's at night sailors delight red sky's in morning sailors take warning."  It was then I thought back to the mornings on Sauvies Island.  The anticipation.  A smile came to my face as I in visioned the beautiful morning sunrises while hunting, sometimes the sky's full with geese and ducks, sometimes beautiful solitude. As I made my way around the reservoir over my head whistled two dozen ducks, it was a beautiful sound as if they were saying "see you soon."  Minutes later a gaggle of geese took off from the safety of the reservoir, "I wonder where there going this time of night" I thought.  As I watched the ducks settle in happy and content I thought "red sky's in morning ducks take warning." Better clean my gun.

Like the Black and White Television

 Remember the old days when you had to get up to change the channel?  Then after that the cable box had a cord, and the first remote just turned the t.v on, worked the volume and changed the channel up or down.  This is the H7HT's beginning technology.  Look how far we have come aren't you glad you have joined us all these years.  Hunting season is coming up which could only mean one thing....

 Stay Tuned!

Welcome the New Guy

Echo TR rods are incredible casting tools. TR stands for Tim Rajeff. Tim Rajeff likes to throw things like pine cones, rocks, golf balls and especially fly lines. He throws things with incredible speed and accuracy. He is always calculating how to make human powered projectiles travel faster.
Tim is a student of fly casting. His mind is continually quantifying how different parts of a cast influence total line speed. How does the rod/human connection influence fly line dynamics? How can rods be designed to produce even more line speed.

The TR Series of 2-hand rods is designed to fit a wide variety of casting styles. Skagit, Scandi and Skandit styles of casting are all easily accomplished with these rods. This disign approach produces rods that fits a wide range of applications in the field. Depending on the line choice, each rod might convey several different actions. The cosmetics of TR (Tim Rajeff) Series are startling at first. There is no glitter. This series was designed for stealth and durability. The basic wear points on the handles are made from rubberized cork, which resists abrasion far better than natural cork, and thus remains easier on your hands. The color and finish on the blank is made to be totally non-reflective. The handle and fittings are very well made. The handle configuration is comfortable.

With this I will SLAY!

These people are trying to kill me!

Here it is. Another scorcher of a day in North Idaho and the new DU magazine shows up. What's an Expert to do?

After. See story below.

Big Ed.

Turn of the century forest fighter Big Ed Pulaski became a hero in the massive fire of 1910. Over 5 million acres of forest burned that hot dry summer. Several smaller fires became a huge inferno whipped by 80+ mph winds. Pulaski and his crew of 45 were miles from the relative safety of any towns when they became trapped by the blaze. His knowledge of the area allowed him to convince his men to follow him to the only safe place he could think of, an abandoned mine shaft on placer creek. One of his crew died on the way as a massive burning cedar tree fell on him as they made their way through the fire.

Just as they arrived the fire completely engulfed the area and Pulaski ordered his men inside. Many thought they would die for certain inside the shaft and Pulaski had to hold them at bay at gunpoint threatening to shoot any man that tried to leave the tunnel. As men were passing out around him from smoke and heat Pulaski doused the blankets he had hung over the opening until the smoke finally overtook him as well.

Many hours later he awoke, blind and burned, to find that all but 5 of his men had survived the blaze around them. They hiked out over miles of wasteland of burned and smoldering trees for hours until they finally reached a group heading into the hills looking for survivors. When the men reached the town of Wallace they were greeted by townspeople who were waiting with coffee and whiskey, nice choice eh? Pulaski spent months in the hospital and never fully recovered his eyesight but continued to work for the forest service until he retired at 62.

Yesterday we hiked the trail up Placer Creek to the Pulaski Tunnel and learned of his amazing adventure. Don't be scared by the man pointing a gun on the interpretive sign, I was packin' just in case he tried anything or the Cougar showed up. It was a nice way to spend the day and think about how Big Ed Pulaski would have made a great addition to the HOY7 Hunting Team.

GBCH

Lore Tuesday October 28, 2008

Packing Sand

It must be pretty easy being Jiggity Jeff. Never having to prove your greatness to anyone, hunting in a park in the middle of a city, basically using pop corn to get ducks and geese. How hard could it be? He never has any stories or pictures to share about his excursions, no facts to back anything up. How hard could it be being Jiggity Jeff? Has he ever "bagged" a duck? no. Has he ever posted any pictures? no. Has he ever journeyed to the great NW to hunt with the greatest team ever? no. Jiggity if your out there, if you ever read the blog, or if you could even read, read this RESPECT MY AUTHORITY! I have "bagged a duck" I have done everything, and you? nothing. I am the greatest hunter. I have all of the knowledge. Respect my authority.

Making it rain on the East side,

Fred G.

Packing Sand
1. A seafaring insult. When one was told to "pack sand" it was considered a huge insult often resulting in a heated exchange of salty language. Also see pound sand For example:
Arrrgh pack sand mate..wait yer turn like ye others." Typical Response: Arr go f***k yerself you coc*suc*er son of a whore

Lies Bold Face Lies

 

Oregon waterfowl hunters will see their record run of long duck seasons reach 14 this fall as another maximum hunting season looms. Solid duck counts along the Pacific Flyway, as well as decent local duck production, means Oregon hunters again will have 107 days of duck hunting this fall and winter.

Duck numbers in major breeding areas of Alaska, Canada, Montana and the Dakotas are up 21 percent compared with the long-term average, with redheads and green-winged teal still hovering at near-record levels. Counts in Alaska and the Canadian provinces are major drivers in whether the flyway gets the maximum 107 days of hunting allowed by treaty, or whether the season gets tamped down to 86 days — the next option based on season frameworks. "We weren't even close to hitting the 86 days," says Brad Bales, who runs the migratory bird program for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. "Population counts in western states and provinces are really driving hunting seasons now," Bales says.

The duck and merganser season opens Oct. 9 and runs through Nov. 28 in Zone 2, which includes Klamath and Lake counties, as well as most of Eastern Oregon. After a short break, hunting resumes Dec. 1 and runs through Jan. 23. Duck hunting in Jackson County and the rest of Western Oregon opens Oct. 16 and runs until Oct. 24. Hunting then reopens Oct. 27 and runs through Jan. 30. The daily limit remains seven ducks.

Oregon's waterfowlers increased 3.4 percent last year, when 51,636 hunters bought the state's waterfowl validation stamp. And though their numbers remain somewhat small, they continue to be a dedicated lot.  About 18,700 hunters spent more than 147,600 days afield last year, killing about 361,000 ducks in Oregon.

Then WHY? did the Oregon Chapter slay 0?

Conspiracy

No Wonder

Look at the wanger in his wiggle.  This may be the reason "The Expert" lost the blue jacket this past summer.  The Old Man haggle in in his hoggle.  Hoping the tourney bottle is waiting for the winter slaughter, Jameson please.  Hopefully he can learn from this and put some improvement in his game.  Note the arms pulled in and movement in front foot.  See how my hands are behind the ball and arms extended?  Also not the massive power surge in my front leg.  

Damn Nice Spread

Note the landing area behind the "cup" of decoys.  Notice the few confidence decoys out in front. 

2010-2011 season.  Old Spot water very high.

Can't Wait!

I'm thinking there should be a betski.....

First Band 50 bucks?

Just saying



Smart?

Wasps? Not in my mailbox!

The Columbia

The Mighty Columbia

Riding the mighty Columbia today started on the 14 going east.  Last month coming home from Canada I rode 14 going West and I must say what difference direction makes.  Today I had a spicy wind at my back and last month I had a stiffy in my face for 50 miles, barely able to keep it on the road, constantly turning right of left just to go straight.  Ouch.  Waiting...Waiting...Waiting.  Why, why is it that people see a fine red motor bike and they want to race?  The 14 is an awesome road but it is also a crap shoot.  Weather perfect, clear and hot.  Just past Washougal WA. the road gets real fun, but you have to be well positioned.  It's easy to get stuck behind a 18 wheeler avoiding rt. 84, or just some slow folk.  Today was green almost all the way.  A late 90's Ford Explorer decided it would be a good idea to, try, to race.  They all think they could keep up and manuver like a bike.  When a bike is behind you, you may think we are riding your ass, were not, we can go faster than you and we are looking for a safe, opportune,  time to pass.  Were not trying to evoke a race, so why? Why?  Well I believe the Explorers' driver now has a warm fudge pie in his pants.  When two wheels came off the ground he realized he was in over his head.  He pulled over and changed his pants.  The rest of 14 was awesome I even ran into a Harley guy who's oil plug fell out.  Then it was on to Rt. 97.  Rt. 97 is an awesome road of high plains riding with views of Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Hood and the Three Sisters.  The road is in great shape, with some twists and 3 or 4 small towns.  Today it was very hot, hot I say! It was there I wanted to try out the Navigate app. on my phone. I gathered a little information for you to peruse.  Enjoy, I did.  From there it was on to Rt. 197, Rt. 216 to Rt. 26 to home.  301 miles today in about 5 1/2 hours give or take a few stops.

Rt. 197 

Oh yeah almost forgot, two weeks in a row now almost killed by a DWA.  Why is it that I could go 294

miles and no problems?  Swear to Heston I'm thinking it's time to carry a bag of hammers.

Forrest fire in MY TOWN!

I'm driving to the lumber yard to see about a couple of beams for my new tree fort. About halfway there I see a plume of smoke coming from the center of town and think to myself 'this ain't good'. Driving up to the smoke I passed a few people looking at the fire and was able to come all the way into Uptown Kellogg where I saw the blaze just starting to be a major problem. it was an out of control ground fire that occasionally erupted a tree in full fire frenzy. No sirens and no police were there at that point but the townspeople were spectating and protecting their homes with garden hoses from the flames. They were about 50 feet from the highest houses on the hill and the wind was blowing form the west. As I watched the wind shifted to the East and several trees exploded into flame.

Fortunately the fire crews arrived and the police cordoned off the streets. Not long after a couple of NFS trucks pulled in and began to take charge. I watched as 4 wheelers and bucket loaders made their way up to the fire. Meanwhile it was burning a path to the gondola line. Not Good!.





Currently the flames have burned 50 acres and are not under control but helicopters are dropping fire retardant and water on the flames. Silver mountain has been running the gondola to prevent any cabins from getting scorched by the flames and so far noting has been compromised. Our cabin is about a mile from the flames but my livelihood relies on the gondola to be running next week. Brewsfest is happening on Saturday and I plan to be drinking a frosty delicious beverage on the top of the hill then.

Only Heston knows the outcome at this point but I hear multiple helicopters buzzing around as I write this and can only hope for the best. send your donations to the H7HT fire fund. P.O. Box 777 kellogg ID. Thanks for your concern.

GBCH

Answer To Pop Quiz

He informed me the road from 214 to 26 was not paved,

Rachel said it was paved.

Because of Rachel it was a 45 minute

kidney crushing ride.

An unwelcome suprise.

The grainy picture does not do justice to the wasp nest in my mailbox. But rest assured it's there. I know because when I opened the mailbox some wasps flew out at me. I think they were trying to attack me but I was faster than they were, I closed the box. On my next attempt to retrieve my mail I made a quick 'snatch and grab'. Bob D. 1 wasps 0. I think they will be surprised at the next opening of the mailbox door when all they see is the spray tip of some Black Flag insect killer. Eat it boys!
GBCH.

(my apologies to my postal carrier, this can't be fun for you either.)

?

This was parked at my golf course today. Although I am not big fan 0f the transformers, like Clayton, I am a fan of proper irony.
Would this not be a more effective pun if it said Optimus Cubed instead? Optimus Prime, being a play on numerology, and Optimus Cubed, being a play on the Nissan Cube and numerology, seems to me to be a better choice than 'Boximus Prime' Just sayin'.

Anyone?

Looking up from where I am sitting?
A guess?

It's Alive

Happy Birthday to Fred G.

It won't be long now.
GBCH

Day off

Yesterday Paige and I had an actual day off together. We loaded up the gas tank and took a drive southbound. After visiting the town of St Maries we stopped in Harrison to have lunch overlooking Lake CdA. Then we drove by my old hunting spot on Anderson lake. I was amazed to see no ducks anywhere in the general vicinity.

We took the long way home along the lake shore and Paige was fortunate enough to see a couple ducks, which she then shot with the genuine plastic reproduction Star Trek phaser I bought only hours before. They continued to fly on so I must assume she hit them with the 'stun' setting rather than 'kill'. It's okay, phaser season does not start for another 200+ years.

A Waste Of Time

Pop Quiz

Who's Information Would You Trust?

When it comes to road conditions?

Rachel B.

Cliffy V.

Riding The Clack

Today is a dismal, overcast, marine layer, chilly day.  Nothing better than jumping on the Duc and head East my friend.  Have not been to the Clack in about two years.  The "Clack" or Clackamas River is a beautiful windy river with and average highway running along side of it. The Clackamas River arises on the western slopes of the Cascade range near Olallie Butte, between Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson in the Mount Hood National Forest. Flowing generally northwest and then west for about 83 miles, it joins the Willamette River at Gladstone.  The river falls nearly 4,900 feet between its source and it's mouth. The Ride started off pretty uneventful then turned to near death and kidney crushing debauchery.  As I'm riding usually I don't take a lot of pictures, I'm trying to change that, stopping and starting at high speeds sucks.  I saw some beauty and needed a picture, so I stopped.  I wanted to take a picture of the river from a bridge, picturesque right?  Well there were 5 kayaks in the water shooting the rapids as you could see, but note the one in back, the red one, upside down, upside down for what seemed to be 30 seconds or more.  His buddies didn't realize their buddy was drowning, so I called out "Hey I think your buddy is in trouble!"  After a few more goes he is able to bail out.  When he got to the edge he was not elated "woohoo did you guys see that?"  He was you could tell scared shitless.  Remember the story of the time a boy named Tommy saved my life?  I think it was the same for him.  The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful except for the 7 mile dirt road someone sent me down.

Fred G. Isn't you Birthday coming up?

Former employer and Kellogg mega-business Dave Smith Motors is getting a remodel. I noticed this old signage as they were tearing down the old facade. The next day it was gone. I hope they have saved this testament to the staying power of the Oldsmobile line of automobiles.

Where are you when we need you Clarke Olds?

GBCH.