Somethings we just take for granted, like toilet paper.  I got to thinking about it and went of course to the internet to find out more about it and to my surprise found out that rolled toilet paper was not invented until 1871.  Our pioneer ancestors came to Utah in 1847!

What was used before the invention of toilet paper?

The internet says, corn cobs!  Coconut husks!  Sea shells!  OUCH!!!!  Some used moss (a bit less ouchie, but what about bugs?) in the summer time and snow in the winter….OOOOO!  Others used leaves, some used a natural sponge hooked to the end of a stick…Ever thought about the phrase, “Got the wrong end of the stick”?  And even today, some still use the ancient traditional method of cleaning up after a good….well, you know…by using their left hand!  Could this explain all of the 111’s on the bathroom wall?

So hand shaking with the right hand does make sense now.

We have certainly got to thank our lucky stars we were born after toilet paper was invented.  I can not imagine wiping up with a corn cob.  Of course my fictitious mountain man character chewed pine cones to clean his teeth and I suppose he didn’t even think twice about grabbing up a handful of thistle leaves to wipe with.

One interenet site said the Northern company advertised their toilet paper as “Splinter Free”, in 1935….That should have signaled the end of the depression!

Bears Butt

Aug. 2011

This is a pretty good web site to show you how to tie knots.  It’s like one of my nephews said, “If you can’t tie a knot, tie alot!”  He is right on.  Everyone should know how to tie a square knot, but this site shows a ton of knots and what the most useful use is for them.  Check it out.  Pretty cool.

http://www.animatedknots.com/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

Bears Butt

Until yesterday I had only had a few pairs of sun glasses and most of them were the clip on your regular glasses type.  I have noticed over the past several years that a ton of folks wear them and the lens’ are not the type you can see through.  I like to make eye contact with people and when they are wearing sun glasses I can not see their eyes.

Yesterday I was given a pair of real nice sunglasses for my birthday and I notice I can not see my own eyes when viewing through them and into a mirror.  I have decided that in order to not violate my own feelings toward not being able to see others eyes when they are wearing sunglasses, I will remove mine when talking to someone.

This will not be an easy thing to remember to do, as I plan on wearing these glasses a lot.  When out fishing or outside in the sunlight it will be the hardest thing to remember to do.

I think it only appropriate etiquette to remove them when carrying on a converstation with someone else, especially an extended conversation.

Bears Butt

Heading out for a little fishing at Willard Bay this morning.  Taking the boys and their oldest kids with.  The boat will be full (6), max for my boat.  Hopefully each of the little ones will tie into something big.

More to come later, hopefully with pictures!

Bears Butt

To alot of you the title of this would not mean much.  What it means to most of us locals in the Willard, Utah area it means to take the road out of Mantua, and follow it up to the turn around at inspiration point (the top of the mountain).

Sherry and I took a ride up there today.  This is Willard Peak from near the top.

And of course Willard Lake looking down from inspiration point.

There had been a man who was elderly (in his 70’s) who had left inspiration point and was hiking along the trail toward Willard Peak.  He had pains in his chest.  Someone called 911, the search and rescue guys passed us up on the way up the road.  Sorry, but the man didn’t make it.  Here is a pic of life flight leaving Willard Lake.

Other than that we had a most enjoyable time viewing the scenery and being with each other.  Life is certainly good.

Bears Butt (62 years today)

We had a great time up at Tony Grove!  Even hiked up to Polygamy Cave…spelunking is NOT my bag!  Lots of caves up there to explorer or fall into if you go hiking around unaware.

Right now the flowers are just coming into full bloom and it is beautiful.  Right now is the time to go up there.

We saw a bull moose, buck muley and on the way home through dry lake we saw a red fox.

Even caught and ate a nice fat rainbow.

I’m always interested in stuff for shooting and especially for young shooters to get them interested in shooting sports.  I found this site by accident and I really believe this item has a lot of merit.  A bit pricey perhaps, but it looks like it would last a lifetime.  Check it out!

http://www.realtimetargets.mybigcommerce.com/products/Huckleberry-Target.html

Bears Butt

This afternoon we are off to Tony Grove for a fun couple of days with Brandon and Mitchs families.  Two nights in the cool mountains.  Fishing, hiking and general lazying around.  We are totally geared for mosquitoes, which we had a big taste of at Diamond Lake Oregon last week.

Yesterday we stocked up on repellent bracelets and GI type repellent that was recommended by the guy at Smith and Edwards.  He said to use a small amount, wipe the forehead, the front and back of the neck, one swipe down the chest, one swipe down each shin and once on the back of each leg.  That is all.  And it is supposed to protect for 20 hours.  We will see.

So, the next report will be sometime Thursday!

Bears Butt

Several years ago my good friend Dry Dog asked about a symbol for his name sake.  It seems he had seen many of us with some sort of design that depicted who we were, or at least something close to what our Mountain man names were.  Wapiti Dung could use a pile of elk poop, I use a drawing of a bear looking over its left shoulder and his butt showing directly into your face.  Winemaker uses a wine bottle with adornments.  Tracker uses a cleft toed deer track of the greatest magnatude to show his symbol.  Others show a cluster of Cherries or a muzzy rifle and possibles bag with horn.  One uses a circle with a whiskey bottle in the middle and a slash across saying “NO” to the symbol.  NO GRIMACE!    What it all boils down to is a “Squiggle”  some sort of a sign that symbolizes “me” in the mountain man world.  Well, if you aint got no squiggle…maybe you should be workin on one.

Mine is a little bears butt lookin at ya over his left shoulder!

Bears Butt

We pulled into the homestead last night about 5 and cleaned out the coach.  Today is a reconnoiter day.  A day to reassess our needs, do a little fix up on things that have broken during the past week and restock on essentials.  Tomorrow about noon or so we are heading for Tony Grove Lake campground to spend two nights with the boys families.  We expect mosquitoes!  But we also expect a really good time, a little fishing and maybe even a meal of fish.

We have discovered what we already knew, and that is that every place has its unique beauty.  Oregon has loads of volcanic rock, tall trees, crystal clear lakes and the ocean.  Northern California has its HUGE trees, volcanic rock, crystal clear lakes and 0cean.  Nevada has its sage brush lined, no trees, hwy 50 (The loneliest highway in America).  Did not see any lakes.  In its own way it is a beautiful state.

Confirmed there are Eurasian Collared Doves in Burns, Oregon and Ely, Nevada.

You have to stay tuned with your environment or you will miss these important details as you travel.

Pictures will be coming soon.

Bears Butt