D&D Wood-Working

We built this swing a few weeks ago.  I am just now getting around to finishing it.  I have a primer coat on it now. I will add a glossy white coat over that to complete it.  Christmas present for my mom!

On Moustaches

"Moustaches are like newborns. As soon as you get one, people you don't even know just walk up and start talking to you. They want to touch it and, in general, share in the joy that it brings to so many people. You'd think that moustaches would have the exact opposite effect since they're responsible for so much violence in this country, but it's the new mustache that people want to be a part of. Once the mustache is a bit older it gets cynical and loses some its innocence, but it's easy to enjoy in the short term."

This post is dedicated to none other than Fudd Phillips

D&D Wood-Working

I have decided that wood-working projects are on my top three favorite things to do list.  The most recent project was a coffee table.

The actual construction took about 4 hours and the design was created by Grant and myself.  There are a few unique ideas that were implemented in this table. The first is the two 1x4 strips that we placed across the top adjacent to the other pieces that form the actual table top.  We cut the top so that the strips fit flush across the table top.

The next is the legs.  We made them to where the two legs cross each other to form an 'x' but fit flush together so that they are 1.5" wide.  The last is the horizontal support that runs below the table top.  It is secured by a 1" dowel rod.  The dowel runs 1" into the support and through the middle of the leg joint.

I stained the table to have a pretty dark finish.  I used a "jacobean" stain that I bought from Home Depot.

This table will be included in the D&D furniture line for $200.

The BackpackerS

This is the first of  series giving the inside scoop on some of our backpacking trips.  To start this series off, I am going to look at the first of our trips out west.
Best of the West 1 - Spring Break 2008
Grant Davis, Trent Smelley, and Myself
Keep in mind, this was one of the first major backpacking trips other than the pinhoti. We packed up Grant's dad's Prius with our camping gear and snow shoes.  We left late at night and drove non-stop to Jackson hole Wyoming.  The drive was somewhere around 29 hours but it was as fun as riding in a car for over a day can be. It was night time when we got into Wyoming.

We got into Jackson Hole around 3:00am and decided to set up my golite tent in the middle of a park.  This seemed like the best idea at the time and it was great until 10:00 am when a very nice police officer woke us up and let us know that we were not allowed to put a tent up in the city. At least he let us sleep in a little!

So we got up and stopped by what I still consider the best outdoor store in America: Teton Mountaineering. After that, we stopped by the visitor center in the Grand  Teton National Park and then made our way into the snow covered wilderness. We strapped on our snow shoes and put on our snow gear to fight the winter storm that was rolling in.

The snow covered landscape was breath taking. We had to dig down about 4 feet into the snow to put the tent so that we wouldnt get blasted by the wind and snow.  

We were forced to hike out when Trent was self-diagnosed with Giardia.  The hike our was rather grueling because every step you would take you would sink up to your knees or further. When the weather cleared up, the scenery was amazing.  This is when my Tetons virginity was taken. (I dont regret it)

When we got out, we hit some public showers (interesting moment in my life). Then headed south to Boulder Colorado.  We did some exploring there and came across a little state park that was pretty neat.  So we ate lunch here.

So that was about it.  I got a $150 speeding ticket on the way home.  Colorado is still my favorite state.

Wilco - What Light

Winter Camping

There are two types of people in this world (suppose for the sake of this story that there are actually only two types of people in this world) - Those that know their limits and those who have no limits.  I like to think that I fall into the second category of those that have no limits.  I also like to think that winter camping is something I can handle so we try to take a trip each year over christmas break.

2008 - Wyoming

This trip wasn't over Christmas but it was definitely winter camping at its finest.

2008 - Smokies

Not as much snow but it was cold enough.

Last years trip was in North Carolina. This is where we were stuck in the car for a few days.  There will be a repeat visit during a summer month.

And this years trip was to the pinhoti.  40 mph winds, single digit lows, below zero windshield, and some christmas spirit.

COMFORTLESS CHAOS

Let the colors of my life show,

Things I do and the places I go. 

In what world of mine will I ever defeat,

The comfortless CHAOS beneath my feet.

The mirrors within those beautiful eyes.

Words so full of empty lies. 

Captivated by a smile so BRIGHT.

Never a moment to feel so right.

Here comes a time to seize the day,

Time is trickling with no words to say.

The stars shine for the nights appeal.

Flickering flames claim a cold night’s thrill.

Ponder questions of your life,

Completely saturated with voided strife.

New chapters to begin in your book.

The story behind the thoughtless look.

The hidden choices of old.

Broken to make a new mold.

Fingers grow to now intertwine. 

Mingled through life like a growing vine.

WHAT LIFE TO LIVE

I look into the eyes of a man who is dying,
I listen to the tears of his wife who is crying.
His thoughts consumed with unanswered questions,
What if he would have answered life’s uncertain beckons?

Will that be me when death is at hand,
Will I think of my life as anything but grand?
Will I have questions such as what would have happened ,
Will I stand behind a door never opened?

What if I decline the one chance,
To take life’s hand in that one risky dance.
Will I leave this earth without a trace?
Will my life be forgotten when I leave this place?

I have made my decision and the answer is no,
I will find comfort from the places I will go.
Never afraid to step into a mess,
When life throws me options I will always say yes.

Not to worry about what others may think,
Not to avoid the chances to sink.
So I step out of my boat,
Hand the girl the infamous note.

The choices I make,
The relationships I break.
The chances I take,
No losses at stake.

No regrets,
No worries or frets.
And when the day comes and you look in my eyes,
No where will you find mournful goodbyes.

My life known as fun,
From the moment it begun.
Break away from what is normal,
Be crazy be formal.
Be who you are,
Set your own bar.
Dont leave the chance to wonder what could have been,
Live life to the fullest through thick and thin.