The Backcountry Nomad

08/07/2024

…and this is how the man in the van kidnapped the Rikki.

The last sound heard from Rikki was..

"That’s not bacon…that’s definitely don’t look like no bacon!!”

04/07/2024

Genius…
Now I want one too!!!

20/06/2024

Bull Thistle.

Often over looked, the bull thistle is an easy to identify edible. .

It can be found all year long and typically flowers from June through October.

Thistles like sunlight and can be found in open pastures, roadsides and forest edges. I have found them within forest where patches of sunlight hit the ground.

The leaves have spines which need to be removed. Young leaves can be used in salads or cooked as greens. Old leaves can be used too, but they are not as tasty.

The stems can be peeled and eaten raw or cooked. I sauté them with some salt and pepper…yummy!!

Pull the flowers and add them to anything. I put them on my salads. Sometimes when I feeling a bit saucy, I will separate the petals and use them as garnish on my smoothies.

Medicinal:

Leaves:
boiled or brewed as a tea, helps with joint pain, is a diuretic and liver tonic.

Roots:
as a decotion; treats stomach cramps and helps digestive issues.

Flowers:
infused in water, it can be used as a vaginal do**he.

Whole plant:
put the whole plant into a pot, boil it and soak up the steam. This will help with joints

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18/06/2024

Found this little guy while out on a stroll. i want to eat it...it looks yummy. BUT, my skills are not good enough to protect me from dying.

so for now, i will just take pitures and stop at the store to pick up some mushrooms. :)

08/06/2024

One of many hidden lakes in Francis Marion National Forest. This one was one of my favorites because it did not show up on any map. ..

I speak of it fondly in past tense because now it’s marked on maps. Not only that, they have built a parking lot and easy access road.

Before, I would visit and it was totally secluded. The only sign that humans were here, were the tracks of 4x4 vehicles.

Now…the trail around the lake is littered with toilet tissue. You have to watch where you step. There are beer cans and other trash around it too.

My poor secret lake is no longer a secret and has been poisoned by entitled humans that think they are the only ones that visit…I would hate to visit these peoples homes…not because I think they would trash their personal dwellings… I would.

This will probably be the last time I visit this lake….time to go deeper and look for something harder to get to.

🛶⛺🐕🏕🛶🏞🐕🏕🛶⛺🐕🐕🏕🏍👣⛺️🏝🏕🏞👣🐕👣🐕🛶⛺️🛶🏝👣🐕👣🏕🛶🏞🛶🏝🛶👣🏝👣🐕🛶🏝🛶⛺️🛶🛶🏕👣🐕👣🏝👣🛶⛺️🏞🐕🏕🏕🐕🏞🏝⛺️🛶

06/06/2024

When you are sitting at a dock and a bunch of these guys come by and asks what’s up?. .
This one is a baby and about 18 inch’s long. I call this one bubba. Bubba for so close I could almost touch him.
Six others came over to look, including mom.
I am thinking, they saw us and came over thinking we are going to give them food.
Not cool…not cool at all. This is a baby and already associates humans with food. .
This is why humans and pets get attacked.
….stop feeding the gators!!..

🛶⛺🐕🏕🛶🏞🐕🏕🛶⛺🐕🐕🏕🏍👣⛺️🏝🏕🏞👣🐕👣🐕🛶⛺️🛶🏝👣🐕👣🏕🛶🏞🛶🏝🛶👣🏝👣🐕🛶🏝🛶⛺️🛶🛶🏕👣🐕👣🏝👣🛶⛺️🏞🐕🏕🏕🐕🏞🏝⛺️🛶

05/06/2024

While taking a break, we spotted some squirrels playing in the trees. We watched for a while, but the sun is hot .

Too hot.

I sat as long as I could, no breeze, and sweating like a hot pig.

But I did have a good time laughing at the silly squirrels.


🛶⛺🐕🏕🛶🏞🐕🏕🛶⛺🐕🐕🏕🏍👣⛺️🏝🏕🏞👣🐕👣🐕🛶⛺️🛶🏝👣🐕👣🏕🛶🏞🛶🏝🛶👣🏝👣🐕🛶🏝🛶⛺️🛶🛶🏕👣🐕👣🏝👣🛶⛺️🏞🐕🏕🏕🐕🏞🏝⛺️🛶

02/06/2024

This is one of my favorite walk bridges. This bridge is part of the Swamp Fox trail which is also part of the Palmetto Trail.

The closer you are to the South Carolina Coastline, the flatter the landscape.
This bridge crosses over a small cliff that leads to a dam. The dam itself is only about 5 feet in high and was made so that the water can flow across the top of it. I am not sure why it’s even there.

I am thinking that one day I will bring my kayak or canoe out there and check out the source and see the back end of the flooded area.

I will have to wait till it gets cold, too many giant gators out there. I don’t want to end up as gator bait.

🛶⛺🐕🏕🛶🏞🐕🏕🛶⛺🐕🐕🏕🏍👣⛺️🏝🏕🏞👣🐕👣🐕🛶⛺️🛶🏝👣🐕👣🏕🛶🏞🛶🏝🛶👣🏝👣🐕🛶🏝🛶⛺️🛶🛶🏕👣🐕👣🏝👣🛶⛺️🏞🐕🏕🏕🐕🏞🏝⛺️🛶

02/06/2024

The dragonfly came to a rest in one spot, looking for flying insects to eat.

The spider just sat under the blade of grass…it looked like it was thinking; “how am I going to catch that thing?”

I could sit here and watch this all day....

🛶⛺🐕🏕🛶🏞🐕🏕🛶⛺🐕🐕🏕🏍👣⛺️🏝🏕🏞👣🐕👣🐕🛶⛺️🛶🏝👣🐕👣🏕🛶🏞🛶🏝🛶👣🏝👣🐕🛶🏝🛶⛺️🛶🛶🏕👣🐕👣🏝👣🛶⛺️🏞🐕🏕🏕🐕🏞🏝⛺️🛶

01/06/2024

I forgot my camera and had to use my phone. It took forever to get this shot, because I had to get close and the wind kept moving the blade of grass around. ..
I am so thankful for the people around me as in lay on my stomach leaning leaning halfway off the dock. I felt like a praying mantis doing yoga.

🛶⛺🐕🏕🛶🏞🐕🏕🛶⛺🐕🐕🏕🏍👣⛺️🏝🏕🏞👣🐕👣🐕🛶⛺️🛶🏝👣🐕👣🏕🛶🏞🛶🏝🛶👣🏝👣🐕🛶🏝🛶⛺️🛶🛶🏕👣🐕👣🏝👣🛶⛺️🏞🐕🏕🏕🐕🏞🏝⛺️🛶

31/05/2024

While walking, I happen to look down and spotted a weird looking leaf. As I got closer to it, I could see that it was not a leaf but was a wing.

I have never found a moth wing like this before. Or it could be a butterfly wing, I don’t know.

It’s pretty cool, and I think I am going to keep it.

🛶⛺🐕🏕🛶🏞🐕🏕🛶⛺🐕🐕🏕🏍👣⛺️🏝🏕🏞👣🐕👣🐕🛶⛺️🛶🏝👣🐕👣🏕🛶🏞🛶🏝🛶👣🏝👣🐕🛶🏝🛶⛺️🛶🛶🏕👣🐕👣🏝👣🛶⛺️🏞🐕🏕🏕🐕🏞🏝⛺️🛶

30/05/2024

Please tell me you did not wash the coffee pot.

Where is my chip beef on toast?

Hahaha

Palmetto State Armory

30/05/2024

Early morning, back in the woods again. Feels like home. Time stops and I feel safe and comfortable in the woods.
I looked up and saw the most amazing sunrise. Every sunrise and sunset is amazing and different. Today’s is the most amazing…tomorrow will be even better....

🛶⛺🐕🏕🛶🏞🐕🏕🛶⛺🐕🐕🏕🏍👣⛺️🏝🏕🏞👣🐕👣🐕🛶⛺️🛶🏝👣🐕👣🏕🛶🏞🛶🏝🛶👣🏝👣🐕🛶🏝🛶⛺️🛶🛶🏕👣🐕👣🏝👣🛶⛺️🏞🐕🏕🏕🐕🏞🏝⛺️🛶

22/05/2024

Here, we have the rare privilege of viewing the House Hippo sunning, outside.
Haha. This hippo cracks me up!!

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22/05/2024

It’s ok if you fall apart sometimes. S’mores fall a part, and we still love them.

Take a moment, enjoy some quiet solitude, refresh in the serenity of a national park, or set a cookie and chocolate mixture on fire. Take the time for you.

About that snack thing? Here are some quick tips to achieve a tasty treat in the moment.

🔥 For the light golden-brown color on your marshmallow with a perfectly cooked interior, you want to find the subtle flames at the base of the fire and be patient.

🔥 There is a season (turn, turn, turn)…Frequently turn the marshmallow as it hovers over the embers rather than the flames.

🔥 Putting a marshmallow directly over the flames will result in what appears to be a fast cooking method, but the quick exposure will simply char the outside, leaving the inside tough and cool. That’s how we describe ourselves, so you’ll be in good company.

🔥 Caution. You may be tempted to swing the roasting stick back and forth at a rapid pace. You’re picturing it right now. This may cause the marshmallow to launch and stick to the forehead of another. It happens. It could happen. Avoid launching flaming marshmallows. Metaphor for life, right there.

P.S. OMG there is s’more?

Be sure to follow proper campfire procedures when tending to and putting out your fires. Always drown, stir, feel, and repeat until the area is cool to the touch.

What are some of your best s’mores tips or stories?

Image: Screenshot of a National Park Service tweet that reads, “It’s ok if you fall apart sometimes. S’mores fall a part, and we still love them.”

21/05/2024

What’s up dawg?
Hahaha

15/05/2024

Her sun glasses came in. I think they might be too small, even though these are for large dogs.
They are sitting crooked because she was pushing between my legs. .
Hopefully she gets use to them. This will be handy when we run through the woods or go fast on water.

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07/05/2024

Think of the paperwork. Remember to treat wildlife with proper caution and respect, plus no one likes an unflattering selfie. The safety of these animals, as well as your safety, depends on everyone using good judgment. In conclusion, choices. Make good ones.

Learn more tips to watch wildlife safely at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/watchingwildlife/7ways.htm

Image: Screenshot of National Park Service tweet with text, “Living your life to the fullest does not have to involve selfies with bison.”

23/04/2024

Learned something new today.

Now I know to look inside if I want to find bats.

23/04/2024

Where is the snake?

It took me a long time to find this one.

So many times I was walking down a path and one of these guys would scare me. Normally, they will move out of the way when I get too close and that’s the part that would give a chill.

I will put the answer in the comments in a day or two..

Good luck…this is a hard one.

22/04/2024

Nature observers along the coast, we need your help! 🦀

As the full moon approaches on Tuesday the 23rd, horseshoe crabs will scuttle ashore to lay their eggs.

Ocean tides are at their highest under full and new moons - and horseshoe crab eggs have the best chance of surviving when buried at the high tideline.

If you see horseshoe crabs, report your sighting! This helps us better understand our crabby friends to make informed decisions about South Carolina's shorelines.

Use the reporting form here: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/5cd0a3ed3e2d4f9c9e25e857dd676614

18/04/2024

Gave grumpy a bath today (Black Ford Excursion).
Trying to get her ready for a long trip. Still need to replace all the gaskets from the engine to through the rear pumpkin.

Hopefully…this is last car I buy. I am hoping this one will be dragging my new home or something.

Super excited… am just gonna throw the dice and see what happens.
❤️💜💕♥️

🛶⛺🐕🏕🛶🏞🐕🏕🛶⛺🐕🐕🏕🏍👣⛺️🏝🏕🏞👣🐕👣🐕🛶⛺️🛶🏝👣🐕👣🏕🛶🏞🛶🏝🛶👣🏝👣🐕🛶🏝🛶⛺️🛶🛶🏕👣🐕👣🏝👣🛶⛺️🏞🐕🏕🏕🐕🏞🏝⛺️🛶

18/04/2024

Yeeeeaassss!!!!

10/04/2024

Found this while scouting new areas. It’s so pretty, I want to eat it. Lucky I did not. It’s a Rhododendron canescens aka mountain Azaleas. Poisonous to humans.

I love being outside. I saw deer, traces of pig and bob cat. But…I did not see turkey. I know they are there. I think I will just have to look at other parts forest. I did find some cool deer and pig trails.

Such a beautiful day to be in the woods

🛶⛺🐕🏕🛶🏞🐕🏕🛶⛺🐕🐕🏕🏍👣⛺️🏝🏕🏞👣🐕👣🐕🛶⛺️🛶🏝👣🐕👣🏕🛶🏞🛶🏝🛶👣🏝👣🐕🛶🏝🛶⛺️🛶🛶🏕👣🐕👣🏝👣🛶⛺️🏞🐕🏕🏕🐕🏞🏝⛺️🛶

09/04/2024

If you are interested in seeing synchronized fireflies…they do a lotto now, because there are so many people that visit.

Lotto entry is 1 dollar and you have to select a date.
If you win, there is a $25 fee for parking.
Everyone legally seated in the car (I think up to 6..but look it up on sign up page to make sure.)

It’s pretty cool if you have not seen it before.

Good luck

Explore Congaree National Park Firefly Viewing Lottery in Congaree National Park, South Carolina with Recreation.gov. Congaree National Park is home to a number of different species of fireflies, but it is the synchronized fireflies that lure thousands of people to the park eac

09/04/2024

Testing firebox, red camp and Ozark Trails fire pit…

Fire amazes me.
It’s like magic, life and death.
If energy cannot be created nor destroyed…please explain the life and death of fire.

…don’t say potential energy. Every thing has potential to be something else….including me

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05/04/2024

Got zero turkeys today.
Apparently, you need to bring ammunition to put into the shotgun. lol

I just checked the reports…and it looks like no one got one today… which is a little weird. Maybe every one is working and they will be out there on Saturday.

I went home..cut grass..and added three miles to Bender. I am hoping to get good enough with the hunting and riding that I can combine both.
It was a nice day for a short ride.

⛺🐕🏕🛶🏞🐕🏕🛶⛺🐕🐕🏕🏍👣⛺️🏝🏕🏞👣🐕👣🐕🛶⛺️🛶🏝👣🐕👣🏕🛶🏞🛶🏝🛶👣🏝👣🐕🛶🏝🛶⛺️🛶🛶🏕👣🐕👣🏝👣🛶⛺️🏞🐕🏕🏕🐕🏞🏝⛺️🛶

04/04/2024

Happy Turkey Day South Carolina!
Technically it was 04/01, but the grounds closest to me are only open on Thursday and Friday.

This will be my first time. I am sure that I won’t get anything, which is cool. It will be a learning process because I getting my info from books, a couple of friends on Facebook and YouTube.

It’s a strange experience, not having anyone close to learn from, but I am grateful to all those that took time to post videos, answer my questions and pat me the right direction.
Hopefully…I won’t get any ticks this year. I hate the lone star tick. I think I am a magnet for them.
If y’all have any good advice about ticks, others than sprays and deet, let me know.

Have a great day…hope you get a fatty.

⛺🐕🏕🛶🏞🐕🏕🛶⛺🐕🐕🏕🏍👣⛺️🏝🏕🏞👣🐕👣🐕🛶⛺️🛶🏝👣🐕👣🏕🛶🏞🛶🏝🛶👣🏝👣🐕🛶🏝🛶⛺️🛶🛶🏕👣🐕👣🏝👣🛶⛺️🏞🐕🏕🏕🐕🏞🏝⛺️🛶

02/04/2024

They are all talking about the little robot getting stomped

Why is no one talking about a rare albino moose?