- Joined
- Apr 12, 2011
- Messages
- 943
latest update post #52
So I never realized it until recently, but there is a path next to the woods near where I work. I walked it yesterday, and it looked promising. So today I decided to take my lunch and go exploring.
Where I work there is a scrap yard next to all the old factory buildings. Most of the factory work has been sent to non-union shops down south or overseas. However there is still an operating steel plant nearby, and they load a lot of scrap metal in the yard here and put it on railcars for destinations unknown.
Here is a shot of the rails coming from the factory area.
At this point where the cars train stops and starts there is all kind of steel scraps along the track. They load up those cars and I guess some just falls off.
Down past the railroad tracks is a gravel road that pickup drive on for workers to get back to the scrapyard. It runs right next to some woods.
Right along the edge of the wood is a pretty wide little creek that runs the length. The wood is only really about 100 yards wide and a mile or so long.
I would have liked to have just crossed the creek right there, but considering I was in my slacks and polo shirt and had to be back to work after lunch I though better of it.
So I followed the gravel road into the scrap yard
Basically there are lots of these holders full of giant bars of alloy steel, the woods borders the yard.
I followed the edge for a while and found where there was a wooden bridge that crossed over the creek. There was a big pole on the otherside that I am guessing is used to light part of the yard at night. I took the opportunity and crossed over the creek.
A small path opened up into another large cleared off section with more steel and on the other side I could see the main road. I continued along the edge of the wood. It was real thick here and dressed like I am at work I couldnt force my way in, I would have needed a chete anyway. I figured if I just kept scouting though I would find a way in.
Eventually I found what looked like an animal trail and the thicket cleared a little. I hoped the ditch that separated the wood and scrapyard and walked into the woods. I immediately saw these deer tracks, they were nice and fresh.
The woods got a little to thick again so I backed out and kept looking for a good lunch spot. I found another spot which was a obvious water run off when it rained and the thicket was cleared some so I again hopped he ditch.
This was a bit bigger area I could move around in and it included the perfect place to sit for lunch, a nice big flat rock
I had brought with me my Lunch bag, canteen, and PSK.
For lunch today the menu was left over sloppy joe, chips, and an apple.
Knowing that I would be out here and that my sloppy joe needed warmed up I had brought the empty can with me, and using my trusty Wenger S10 planned to make a hobo stove to warm it up. The Wenger made short work of the can.
I put the sloppy joe in my canteen cup and it was time to get my tinder ready.
I took the BK13 from my PSK and shaved some dry wood. I think it was poplar but not sure (not that good at IDing types of wood)
The shavings along with a cotton ball from one of the firestraws that's always in my PSK was going to be easy to light using my LMF firesteel. I use a piece of hacksaw blade as my striker.
It took me about 5 strikes to get it going in the hobostove and few few twigs later it was burning good.
I was concerned someone might see the smoke so I only let it burn for 4 or 5 minutes before dousing it.
Time to eat
The view from my spot started an uphill slant and I could see an animal trail running pretty clearly.
The other way was where I came in from the yard
While I was eating a lift came through to grab some steel and take to the factory. He got it off the stack right in front of me, I saw the driver clear as day, not sure if he saw me or not. I decide it was time to pack up so I saved my apple for later.
I walked around a bit in the area before I left and saw I wasnt the first person to go back there.
On the way in I saw a few crappie in the creek so I thought since I had my PSK with me I would pull out the hooks and line and maybe fish a little, but I needed a pole. I found a sapling about 1 inch and used the remora to take it down. I have to say I am impressed with the BK13 it is a tough little knife and I am comfortable with it as the main blade in my PSK.
I dug around a bit and found a small earth worm.
I stopped at the stone wall where I had seen the fish on the way in and spent about 20 minutes tossing the line in. I have found I have got to add a sinker to this little kit.
One of the fish swam up to the worm and immediately swam away, guess he didnt like the looks of it.
I eventually packed up my 9ine with no luck and headed back to work. I think I will be back to try again with my PSK fishing kit.
On the way out I scared a squirrel in the tall grass. It took off running to the base of a tree and started chattering at me.
As I walked up to get a better picture he jumped on the tree but kept chattering
All in all it was the best lunch I have had in a long time.
How was your lunch today?
So I never realized it until recently, but there is a path next to the woods near where I work. I walked it yesterday, and it looked promising. So today I decided to take my lunch and go exploring.
Where I work there is a scrap yard next to all the old factory buildings. Most of the factory work has been sent to non-union shops down south or overseas. However there is still an operating steel plant nearby, and they load a lot of scrap metal in the yard here and put it on railcars for destinations unknown.
Here is a shot of the rails coming from the factory area.
At this point where the cars train stops and starts there is all kind of steel scraps along the track. They load up those cars and I guess some just falls off.
Down past the railroad tracks is a gravel road that pickup drive on for workers to get back to the scrapyard. It runs right next to some woods.
Right along the edge of the wood is a pretty wide little creek that runs the length. The wood is only really about 100 yards wide and a mile or so long.
I would have liked to have just crossed the creek right there, but considering I was in my slacks and polo shirt and had to be back to work after lunch I though better of it.
So I followed the gravel road into the scrap yard
Basically there are lots of these holders full of giant bars of alloy steel, the woods borders the yard.
I followed the edge for a while and found where there was a wooden bridge that crossed over the creek. There was a big pole on the otherside that I am guessing is used to light part of the yard at night. I took the opportunity and crossed over the creek.
A small path opened up into another large cleared off section with more steel and on the other side I could see the main road. I continued along the edge of the wood. It was real thick here and dressed like I am at work I couldnt force my way in, I would have needed a chete anyway. I figured if I just kept scouting though I would find a way in.
Eventually I found what looked like an animal trail and the thicket cleared a little. I hoped the ditch that separated the wood and scrapyard and walked into the woods. I immediately saw these deer tracks, they were nice and fresh.
The woods got a little to thick again so I backed out and kept looking for a good lunch spot. I found another spot which was a obvious water run off when it rained and the thicket was cleared some so I again hopped he ditch.
This was a bit bigger area I could move around in and it included the perfect place to sit for lunch, a nice big flat rock
I had brought with me my Lunch bag, canteen, and PSK.
For lunch today the menu was left over sloppy joe, chips, and an apple.
Knowing that I would be out here and that my sloppy joe needed warmed up I had brought the empty can with me, and using my trusty Wenger S10 planned to make a hobo stove to warm it up. The Wenger made short work of the can.
I put the sloppy joe in my canteen cup and it was time to get my tinder ready.
I took the BK13 from my PSK and shaved some dry wood. I think it was poplar but not sure (not that good at IDing types of wood)
The shavings along with a cotton ball from one of the firestraws that's always in my PSK was going to be easy to light using my LMF firesteel. I use a piece of hacksaw blade as my striker.
It took me about 5 strikes to get it going in the hobostove and few few twigs later it was burning good.
I was concerned someone might see the smoke so I only let it burn for 4 or 5 minutes before dousing it.
Time to eat
The view from my spot started an uphill slant and I could see an animal trail running pretty clearly.
The other way was where I came in from the yard
While I was eating a lift came through to grab some steel and take to the factory. He got it off the stack right in front of me, I saw the driver clear as day, not sure if he saw me or not. I decide it was time to pack up so I saved my apple for later.
I walked around a bit in the area before I left and saw I wasnt the first person to go back there.
On the way in I saw a few crappie in the creek so I thought since I had my PSK with me I would pull out the hooks and line and maybe fish a little, but I needed a pole. I found a sapling about 1 inch and used the remora to take it down. I have to say I am impressed with the BK13 it is a tough little knife and I am comfortable with it as the main blade in my PSK.
I dug around a bit and found a small earth worm.
I stopped at the stone wall where I had seen the fish on the way in and spent about 20 minutes tossing the line in. I have found I have got to add a sinker to this little kit.
One of the fish swam up to the worm and immediately swam away, guess he didnt like the looks of it.
I eventually packed up my 9ine with no luck and headed back to work. I think I will be back to try again with my PSK fishing kit.
On the way out I scared a squirrel in the tall grass. It took off running to the base of a tree and started chattering at me.
As I walked up to get a better picture he jumped on the tree but kept chattering
All in all it was the best lunch I have had in a long time.
How was your lunch today?
Last edited:
