McKinley Woods Gathering?

[mqqn]

Is there an address? It's been a while since I've been there.

Remember the 10 mile an hour speed limit or whatever it is. At least none of us got tickets last time!

It's FIVE mph - I saw some lady doing 10 and I thought she was having a seizure or saw a bear lol - That is when I saw the "bear" and got the warning ticket for doing 15 in a 5.

Here is a link to the location in google maps - don't look at it too fast -

https://www.google.com/maps/place/M...86,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x753ea23863c51440

best

mqqn

 

[Mr. Bill]

Been out of touch the last few days.

John - I can swing in early and see if the gates are open at McKinley.

 

[JK Knives]

Had a great time today, thanks to all who came! Always good to see old friends and meet new ones.

 

[jds1]

Glad you all had a nice time!

Jeff

 

[mqqn]

It was an awesome day in Aux Sable - not too many days in January that you can stand around in a t-shirt! It was 50 degrees and sunny!!

It was great to meet Rupestris (Chris) - he put up with me and he got to see a lot of JK knives (and my Kershaws too...and some Busses and kin...you all know I am incorrigible...)

I also asked Darkmatter to make a new baldrick rig for the DBH I got from Danny a while back - I am excited to see what he comes up with for that since he does such awesome work with leather!

Here are some of the pictures from the day - we had in attendance Mr Bill, Rupestris, JK Handmade Knives (Stomper), Darkmatter and my friend Kirill (Crazy Russian...)

First - I brought out the Kershaw Camp 18 - it is just a great chopper, so I like to have it around.

Mr. Bill on the left, Kirill on the right -

At Aux Sable, we are on the old Illinois Canal system, and there is a trail for jogging, biking, snowmobiling etc, and there are occasionally placed fireplaces in small loafing-shed type shelters. At one of these is where we gathered as the McKinley Woods lower park was closed for the winter....By the way, the speed limit is 10, not 5 as I previously mentioned, but dangit 10 is almost impossible to do - try it in your own vehicle sometime....

I had my Busse ASHBM with me, and Darkmatter was examining it in this picture -

Uncle Bill with the Rule #9 XXL -

John (Darkmatter) with the Rule #9 XXL -

The Rule #9 XXL with it's maker....

Rupestris (Chris) with the Rule #9 XXL

So I had a piece of some kind of old wood from the roadside and I was going to chop it up with the Camp 18 - easier said than done for the old man, but I did get it done and the Camp 18 was none the worse for wear...

A beauty shot of the Rule #9 XXL -

Uncle Bill gave me this awesome 64 oz stainless flask - he was concerned that my sippy cup was not large enough to contain enough spicy apple juice - Uncle Bill always comes bearing gifts - I was very happy to get this flask - thanks Uncle Bill - you rock!

Mr K brought us some Oscar Meyer Chili Cheese dogs and buns - they were good! Thanks John! We had to stop a jogger and borrow a knife so we could sharpen some hot dog sticks....

More pictures -

Uncle Bill playing with his wiener

Darkmatter with his special blend

Sparky the wonder Russian doing the detail work on his hot-dog roasting stick -

Funky looking growth on a branch -

More pics

I had my ZT0102 Tomahawk present -

and my JK Ti Folder #1 which I used to craft my wiener stick - still a great knife!

Fun times - just friends getting together to shoot the breeze and have fun and play with knives. I look forward to meeting up with all of these guys again soon!

best

mqqn

 

[Rupestris]

Glad you all had a nice time!

Jeff

The weather and the company was great. There were even some little bugs flying around which is unusual for January. I wish I could have stayed longer but I promised the Mrs. I'd go mattress shopping today.

I'm looking forward to the next get together and visiting Johns shop when the weather breaks.

John, thank you for your hospitality. I'm glad I got to meet some good folks and enjoy a morning out with 'em.:thumbup:

 

[JK Knives]

Thanks for the pics, Andy, and Chris it was great to finally meet you, you are welcome any time.

 

[1066vik]

It was an awesome day in Aux Sable - not too many days in January that you can stand around in a t-shirt! It was 50 degrees and sunny!!

Funky looking growth on a branch -

That looks like cat briar -- around here it's also called snakeweed, because if you're not careful, it'll bite you.
the squiggly bits are what it uses to tie itself to other plants as it goes up - in the spring when those sprigs are bright green, they're edible along with the young leaves when steamed and supposedly taste like asparagus. The roots can be cut up and boiled, then filtered to make a thickener for soups & such, similar to corn starch. young roots (finger sized) can be roasted and eaten whole.

 

[mqqn]

That looks like cat briar -- around here it's also called snakeweed, because if you're not careful, it'll bite you.
the squiggly bits are what it uses to tie itself to other plants as it goes up - in the spring when those sprigs are bright green, they're edible along with the young leaves when steamed and supposedly taste like asparagus. The roots can be cut up and boiled, then filtered to make a thickener for soups & such, similar to corn starch. young roots (finger sized) can be roasted and eaten whole.

Thanks for that info!

When you say sprigs, you mean the woody part or those squiggly pieces?

That is a thing of interest to me - the natural foods that we can eat from the things that are native to the area - good stuff to know...

best

mqqn

 

[Rupestris]

Thanks for that info!

When you say sprigs, you mean the woody part or those squiggly pieces?

That is a thing of interest to me - the natural foods that we can eat from the things that are native to the area - good stuff to know...

best

mqqn

I've got a couple books on wild edibles if you'd like to borrow them. I believe Cooper has some morel mushroom spots but we'd probably have to water board him or use bamboo under the fingernails to get their locations.

 

[1066vik]

Thanks for that info!

When you say sprigs, you mean the woody part or those squiggly pieces?

That is a thing of interest to me - the natural foods that we can eat from the things that are native to the area - good stuff to know...

best

mqqn

the squiggly parts -- and actually the first couple inches of new growth - if it snaps off cleanly, it's edible.
More than a 8-10" back from the new tips, it gets very tough, fibrous, & woody.

 

[cbwoods67]

Looks like a great time, guys. Thanks for the pics, Andy.

I've got a couple books on wild edibles if you'd like to borrow them. I believe Cooper has some morel mushroom spots but we'd probably have to water board him or use bamboo under the fingernails to get their locations.

I have a pretty high tolerance for pain...

 

[Rupestris]

I have a pretty high tolerance for pain...

:thumbup:

I'd give up national secrets before giving up a 'shroom spot (if I had either of them)

 

[Mack]

It's great to actually see you guys. Wish I was there.

 

[JK Knives]

The funny thing is I almost called this off. I've been fighting a head cold but decided to go through with it anyway. Uncle Bill brought his miracle medicine (Bloody Mary's) and I felt much better!

 

[jds1]

Nice photos and commentary Mr. Moon.

Jeff

 

[darkmatter35]

I had a great time, nice to break the everyday routine. I like the Aux Sable area, easy to get to and nice views. Even an occasional jogger running down the trail and an opossum wandering past. Thanks Andy for the new sheath build challenge, my wheels are rolling.
John S.

 

[Mack]

The funny thing is I almost called this off. I've been fighting a head cold but decided to go through with it anyway. Uncle Bill brought his miracle medicine (Bloody Mary's) and I felt much better!

I'm glad it was all in your head and the gathering went on. Bloody Marys will do it every time.