Gila Wilderness

[tn_junk]

Have decided to Winter in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico. In the last two months I have camped from the Florida coast, to northernmost Washington State and down to New Mexico. Have had fresh flounder from the Gulf of Mexico, fresh crab from Puget Sound and fresh Trout from several rivers. Eaten my share of squirrel, rabbit, grouse and other small furry/feathered animals. Am in town buying another blanket 'cause my "0"-degree sleeping bag ain't quite enough for the mountain cold. Small game is kinda scarce, so I am buying some bacon and beans to take back up with me.
Ya'll take care. Will check in again come spring.

alan

[d_hiker]

Sounds like you are having a great time.  I bet you are feeling alot better about your trip since the gas prices have dropped.  Stay safe and keep us posted.

[tn_junk]

My "Great Adventure" has been shortened by a heart attack and two bouts of pneumonia. No health insurance. No money left. Have ended up in NW Florida Panhandle for a short time, Christmas with sister.
Reviewing all options.
Happy New Year to all.

alan

[Foggy]

Alan
Glad you landed with family and are well enough to post. did you get you possiables to Flordia with you ?? you going to be ok? to use a movie title. The Gila is no country for old men.My life plan was to desert rat in AZ but life comes at you fast. I got a bad heart and am in VA At least i can walk to my hunting ground. Your In my prayers

Foggy

[tn_junk]

Alan
Glad you landed with family and are well enough to post. did you get you possiables to Flordia with you ?? you going to be ok? to use a movie title. The Gila is no country for old men.My life plan was to desert rat in AZ but life comes at you fast. I got a bad heart and am in VA At least i can walk to my hunting ground. Your In my prayers

Foggy

Appreciate the concern. Everything made it to Florida with me. I actually feel pretty good right now, though the Dr. said I have congestive heart failure and COPD. I have never used tobacco in my life. Not real sure what is going on, healthwise. Mostly due to eating too much and walking too little probably, plus a lot of inherited stuff. Mother and both uncles died in their early to mid 50's from heart/lung stuff.
Will decide in the next week or two whether to settle down here or maybe just become a beach bum somehere.

alan

[weasel]

Alan, Hope you are recovering well, was looking forward to seeing you in NV. I hope things work out better for you. Been thinking about that big box of assorted ammo you were bringing for me, I feel guilty making you cart this all over. Please feel free to sell it you might be able to get a little more $  for it now! I sure hope you're able to make it out our way and the offer still stands!

Good Luck, Jim

[d_hiker]

Alan, I'm wishing you the best of luck and our prayers are with you.  Take it easy.

[JerryKo]

Sorry to hear the "adventure" got cut short, but very glad to hear your pulling through.  Best wishes and luck.  I spect I wouldn't last a month.  Keep us posted.

Jerry

[tn_junk]

  I spect I wouldn't last a month. 

Jerry

I wouldn't have either if it hadn't been for WalMart. I think it would benefit everyone to try this, when they are a lot younger and healthier. It truly teaches one a lot about ones self.

alan

[JerryKo]

Ya,... I snuck out one night when I was a teenager to have a night outside by myself.  Had the sleeping bag, some shelter and a fire going.  Boy,...I could feel eyes everywhere.   Needless to say before morning I was back at home looking for breakfast and tired from lack of sleep.   I wasn't prepared for it really, but have had a burning desire to try it again, now that I've learned some.  Problem now well with two youngns and a wife, it makes it that much further down the road.  I might try some small camping trips with the boys when they get a little older.  Maybe try some ruffn it too.  Thanks for sharing anyway.  You are more a man than me.


Jerry

[DDelle338]

 Jerry;
  If the youngns are walking and out of diapers it's time to get going. "Down the road" is like "spare time" and "round tuits", if we wait, we miss out.

[pastorp]

alan, I too have been following you progress with the posts you made. I am glad your all right. You can probably live with your condition if you learn what to eat and how hard you can push yourself. I had a heart attack and by-pass surgery when I was 37. I'm 63 now. Like you I inhereted some problems and some I brought on myself by diet and a sederary lifestyle.

Anyway, where in the Gila river country did you get to go? I lived on the south edge of the Gila national forest for 16 years back in the 80s & 90s. Just north of a town named Silver City, NM. Really enjoyed those years. We kept horses and packed all over the Gila wilderness. Great country. I see by your posts you like squirrel hunting. Did you get to kill any of the tassel eared squirrels. There usually in the high country. I always took a 22 rifle with me during elk season so I could get a mess of squirrls or two.

You will be in my prayers, Keep us posted on your travels, Byron

[JerryKo]

Jerry;
  If the youngns are walking and out of diapers it's time to get going. "Down the road" is like "spare time" and "round tuits", if we wait, we miss out.

Ya,....your probably right.  I had them out for an overnight once, we all had fun.  That was two years ago. I've also taken them out in the woods for a day, were I showed then how to pick a camp site make a fire ring and set the tent and all.  Heck I have more fun then they do.   I need(will) to plan a couple two day trips and go from there.  Thanks for the kick in the pants.  We need that every no and agin.

Jerry

[tn_junk]

Anyway, where in the Gila river country did you get to go? I lived on the south edge of the Gila national forest for 16 years back in the 80s & 90s. Just north of a town named Silver City, NM. Really enjoyed those years. We kept horses and packed all over the Gila wilderness. Great country. I see by your posts you like squirrel hunting. Did you get to kill any of the tassel eared squirrels. There usually in the high country. I always took a 22 rifle with me during elk season so I could get a mess of squirrls or two.

You will be in my prayers, Keep us posted on your travels, Byron

I stayed mostly in the campgrounds on hwy 15 above Silver City. Usually either in the Forks or Grapevine campgrounds.
I did get some of those tassel eared squirrels. I had a .22 with me also. 'Bout the only thing to eat up there. Saw many mule deer, but wasn't going to kill one and waste all that meat.
Since you are familiar with the area, I have a question. Twice I saw birds that were about the size of a big chicken/small turkey. Mottled plumage. Any idea what they were? No one I asked in that area seemed to know what I was talking about. Looked at me like I had lost my mind when I described them.

Thanks

alan

[pastorp]

Alan.

That part of NM does have some grouse in the higher elevations. That would be my guess.

Beachbum, well those Florida beaches are some of the prettiest in the world. I was born & raised in St Petersburg, FL. I would prefer the gulf coast to the Atlantic side of the state. The pan handle and Swanny river areas of Florida is the most like "Old Florida" used to be. Centeral and south Florida is just too crowded for my tastes.

By the way, did you see a old guy in a sheep herders wagon in your travels. He was using mules to draw it when I last saw him. He lived in that wagon year round and drifted north and south with the seasons between the Mexican border and the high country in the northern reaches of the Gila national forest. I always thought he lived and interesting lifestyle.

Best wishes, Byron


Alan, I've been thinking about your bird. Was it slinder and tall as a chicken. Mottled with quite a bit of white? Farely long legs and beak. May be a Roadrunner.. Beep...Beep