Thursday 11 August
This morning was cold. Upper 30s or low 40s. Sunny. I hiked to one prominent knob in the low mountains that overlook the ranch. Slopes of purple and yellow wildflowers, stands of pine, and bushes laden with berries descended to the high desert plateau where the ranch lies. The trees and bushes were alive with birds. Most impressive was the prarie falcon circling overhead. A deer grazed on the lush grass near a stream bed. Farther down and beyond the ranch, the high desert extends with its rolling hills and some trees, their dark green lines marking stream beds fed by snow melt.
The high desert gets its name from its high elevation (at least 4000 feet). It extends across a semi-arid plateau from the Cascade range to teh west to the Idaho border to the East and Nevada to the Southeast. This northern arid region, where I am, has enough moisture to support some agriculture.
Behind me were the Cascade mountains. The Blue Mountain range on my left (north) marks the northern geographical boundary of Oregon's high desert region. The Wallawa range is barely visible at the edge of the plateau to the northeastern horizon.I thought I could barely make out bright sun light glinting off their high elevation snow fields.
I’ve been reading several survival guides including Collin's GEM SAS Survival Guide and several plant identification books. I spent some time foraging and collected some edible berries, leaves, and roots which I snacked on later.
By mid afternoon when I returned to the cabin, it was hot. Must have been in the 90s, and I had been sweating profusely since I started hiking up the mountainside. So, I have been wearing the same set of clothes for nearly a week (with every day in te 90s) withouth washing them or bathing. There is no running water here, but there is a watering trough for the horses. I fiannly broke down and took a bath in it. It was freezing cold, being that it is fed by a spring, but it felt good in the hot afternoon.
My wrist is mostly better now. I was able to split firewood without a pain. Still, I will take a break from the horse for a couple of days. My girlfriend said she will repair the saddle.
The battery is blinking out. To be continued....
This morning was cold. Upper 30s or low 40s. Sunny. I hiked to one prominent knob in the low mountains that overlook the ranch. Slopes of purple and yellow wildflowers, stands of pine, and bushes laden with berries descended to the high desert plateau where the ranch lies. The trees and bushes were alive with birds. Most impressive was the prarie falcon circling overhead. A deer grazed on the lush grass near a stream bed. Farther down and beyond the ranch, the high desert extends with its rolling hills and some trees, their dark green lines marking stream beds fed by snow melt.
The high desert gets its name from its high elevation (at least 4000 feet). It extends across a semi-arid plateau from the Cascade range to teh west to the Idaho border to the East and Nevada to the Southeast. This northern arid region, where I am, has enough moisture to support some agriculture.
Behind me were the Cascade mountains. The Blue Mountain range on my left (north) marks the northern geographical boundary of Oregon's high desert region. The Wallawa range is barely visible at the edge of the plateau to the northeastern horizon.I thought I could barely make out bright sun light glinting off their high elevation snow fields.
I’ve been reading several survival guides including Collin's GEM SAS Survival Guide and several plant identification books. I spent some time foraging and collected some edible berries, leaves, and roots which I snacked on later.
By mid afternoon when I returned to the cabin, it was hot. Must have been in the 90s, and I had been sweating profusely since I started hiking up the mountainside. So, I have been wearing the same set of clothes for nearly a week (with every day in te 90s) withouth washing them or bathing. There is no running water here, but there is a watering trough for the horses. I fiannly broke down and took a bath in it. It was freezing cold, being that it is fed by a spring, but it felt good in the hot afternoon.
My wrist is mostly better now. I was able to split firewood without a pain. Still, I will take a break from the horse for a couple of days. My girlfriend said she will repair the saddle.
The battery is blinking out. To be continued....
