A day in the Life of a MountainMan

OUTLAW

My well has dried up.So I go down to the creek where I gold pan,for water..The creeks are freezing up here,so the water is dam cold.If you stood in the water for a few minutes your feet would go numb.The current may even knock you off your feet..I`ve seen some wildlife in these mountains that I haven`t seen before.I`m new to this area of the mountains..Yesterday when I was down at the creek,a few small birds flew in and stood on the rocks in the creek..Tiny birds,about as big as a sparrow.Charcoal in colour and thier feet were not webbed..These tiny birds would dive in to this cold rushing creek,grab food from the bottom ,pop up on a rock and eat thier food..I was suprised they didn`t die of cold or were`nt washed down stream and drowned..This is the first time I have ever seen a land bird do this.I coudn`t stop watching it was so cool..I went back home and worked on the well a bit.I heard this loud flapping above my head,It was a friggin large eagle looking for prey..Different wildlife show up as the seasons pass..I wonder what I`ll see next?...OUTLAW

Kudra

That's a really lovely scene Outlaw, I was totally seeing it. What else do you get up to on the ranch? Is it a working ranch? Do you have other people living out there?

-K

fullofdoubtnow

It sounds like an amazzing place to live Outlaw, if a little lonely. Do you see many fellow - humans as well?

Kudra

We should take a trip out to see outlaw...

Sad emo

Thanks for sharing Outlaw. It's great when you notice the 'small things' in life isn't it?

I suppose those small birds will have been in and out of the water so quick they wouldn't feel the cold, plus they'll have a downy undercoat and well-oiled feathers this time of year.

I'm a 'townie' but we get many flocks of migrating birds over where I live. The most amazing thing I saw was a flock of small birds - sparrow sized, all descending on a rowan tree to feed on the berries. There must have been at least 200 birds, making a lot of noise, they stayed for only about 15-20 seconds and then all took off again and flew on their way.

We don't get eagles around here - well the occasional escaped European eagle owl maybe - thet're damned big too! Biggest bird of prey here are kestrels and red kite.

OUTLAW

Kudra..Right now I`m working on it for re-sale..Putting up out-buildings and corrals so the ranch can be worked properly..Once I`m done,I`m off to the next real estate project..It is beautifull here..Fishing/hunting/gold panning/skiing/..A paradise for sure..The deer are plentifull,you don`t need a gun..You will most likely hit one with your vehicle if you don`t watch out..LOL!!..Gold panning is a gas.We have 2 colours of gold here,one is a bright yellow,the other is a rust colour.I`ve found both..I`ve yet to find a large nugget though,but I`m trying..LOL!!...OUTLAW

OUTLAW

Fullofdoubtnow/Linda..It is so beautifull here!..I never get tired of looking at all the wonders that surround me..Yes,it can get lonely..I don`t see many humans..I go to a small town for supplys every week or two..Gonna head for real civilization in a couple weeks just to break things up abit..Then it`s back to the ranch.....Sad Emo..Yes,the small things in life really bring you back to reality.At my last ranch we had a giant owl.He had a 6foot wing span.He could have easily flown off with a cat,small dog or an infant..I do well in the city or the wilderness.The wilderness is my home for the time being..Right now I miss Kentucky Fried Chicken with frys and gravy..Lots and lots of gravy!..LOL!!...OUTLAW

purplesofa

OUTLAW,

Sounds too wonderful for words.

Your well running dry reminds me of a place I was over a summer as a teen. Like summer camp. The wells in the area all went dry. The hotels would not let rent rooms and shower there. The house was on top of a cliff, not too high with a river below. The men would go down and shoot snakes, run off critters, and make sure all was safe for us silly girls to go down and bathe.

We had to hike down to the river. I was scared to death of the river. I stood in ankle deep water and put shaving creme on my legs and shaved them. I dont remember how I washed my hair.......or if i even did. I remember finding a tick on me that was full of blood as we did not go down to the river daily. It was huge and I felt sick.

I don't remember how many weeks we did this, but by the end of the summer I was jumping from a rope hung from a tree out in the middle of the river.

I can't imagine roughing it anymore than that, but I do think it would be cool to do. I visited a friend of mine that works a 55 acre ranch in Calistoga, (Napa Valley) California. It was awesome to see what he had done to make the land more inhabitable. We went everywhere by four wheeler. He lived in a little one bedroom house/cabin. Anyway, I thought it was a cool way to live.

Glad you got the net for company.

Do you take a camera with you? Would love to see pics of where you are.

purps

Glad you got the net to keep you company.

OUTLAW

PurpleSofa..Thats a wonderfull story,thank-you.I love the Napa valley..I hate ticks,not as many here as farther north.This is a much better area..Up there all the lakes had leaches.Friggin Leaches!.I hate leaches!!..LOL!!..The lakes here are clean..No I don`t have a camera.I suppose I should get one.Then I`ll have to get a computer that will let me post them..LOL!!.It would be nice to show you all what I am enjoying..Yes,it`s nice to have you all for company and to be able to surf the net.............I`ve got stuff to do guys,but I`ll be back tonight to answer posts on this thread..Enjoy your day...OUTLAW

Stephanus

Hey Outlaw! I hear you mountain men love mount'n women - that true?

I was just thinkin' about you and your mountain lair the other day, doin' the old "if I win Powerball" daydreamin' thing and wondering if a confirmed city boy like me could hack a few days up your neck of the woods. Then I had the thought that if you lived in one of those gold-bearing parts of BC, I'd probably be up there like a shot! I may be a city boy, but I've roughed it in mountain shacks in the depths of winter, waiting for the late rising sun to melt the frozen creek so I can do a little panning. I meant to pose that question to you when next you posted. And then, GoshDarn it, if you haven't pre-empted me!

Do you have nuggetty gold in your area, or is it mainly the fine floury stuff?

A day in the Life of a MountainMan

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