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How to Make a Classic Upper Penninsula Pasty
A Yooper's home recipe for the common Pasty, a delicious meat pie.
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General Jack Custard
Making custard from available ingredients using empty glass yogurt containers.
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Adding a Pickup and Pre-Amp to an Acoustic Guitar
I added a pickup and pre-amp to my homemade acoustic guitar.
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Speedy the Cat - Taming a Feral Kitten
My experience with a feral kitten
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DIY Fishing Gear Storage Shed With Solar Battery Charger
I built my own solar-battery-charged shed to hold my fishing gear so I don't have to carry it all down to the pond with me. Here's what I did (with photos and instructions).
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Old "Art" - Some Paintings, Drawings and Memories
My son found some old drawings and paintings I did some 40+ years ago. My excuse - It was just my imagination....running away with me.
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Storage Space Reclaimed: Build a Man Cave
This space is what some men, and women, call a “man cave.” My space is simple and cheap, but comfortable and somewhat secluded.
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The Rolling Stone Game
This is an attempt to write flash fiction....except it is non-fiction. It is a true story from my childhood
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Cost of Materials to Build an Acoustic Guitar
An overview of how much it costs to build an acoustic guitar from scratch.
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A Horse With No Mane
A story of my difficult dealings with a horse.
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Witches in the Walls
A tale of two small children and a house with a dark history. Losely based on a True story.
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Seeds of Destruction: Accidental Salvation
The final chapter in the short story "Seeds of Destruction"
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Seeds of Destruction: A Fatal Encounter
Chapter 4 of the short story "Seeds of Destruction"
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Seeds of Destruction: The Sighting
Chapter 3 of the short story "Seeds of Destruction"
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Seeds of Destruction - An Outlandish Tale
Chapter 2 of the short story "Seeds of Destruction"
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Seeds of Destruction
The end or the beginning, the view point of the destroyer, the creator, or the savior. Just a collection of bizxare thoughts from the mind of a loner strung together in a story.
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Thirty Life Lessons From a Thirty Year Old
Reflections, advice and observations on life from a 30 year old.
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How to Build an Acoustic Guitar (With Photos)
The specific steps I went through to build my own acoustic guitar, from choosing the type of wood to attaching the bridge and completing the finishing touches (with photos).
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Canoe Flotation Chambers
One of the things I fear is having my canoe sink or scuttle if I ever capsize. So, as an extra measure of caution I decided to add floatation chambers to the bow and stern. *corrected calculations
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Building a Lean-To Shed
I built a lean-to shed on the side of my garage, closer to the house, and with a roof to protect the wood from rain and snow.
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A visit to Panama
Panama is a beautiful country and the people are friendly. It has a developing tourist industry, uses American currency, and the prices are similar if not slightly lower than you find in the U.S.
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Making an Inexpensive Water Filter for Wilderness Camping
A water filter can cost from $70 - $100 but you can make one for less than $25.
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How to Build a Flintlock Rifle: Selecting Parts for a Big-Bore Hawken
My research about the parts that I could make or substitute to reduce the cost of a homemade big-bore flintlock rifle.
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Planning a Solo Kayak - Camping - Fishing Trip in Quetico Provincial Park.
Every year I try to spend a week canoe camping in Quetico Provincial Park on the western side of Ontario Canada, just North of the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. Usually for me, it is a trip with one canoe and two people. This year I'm going alone and taking my cedar strip kayak.
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Building a Cedar Strip Canoe, the Details: Applying a Graphite Bottom Coating
A black graphite bottom is an attactive, durable and functional addition to a canoe.
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Building a Cedar Strip Kayak: The Details: Cockpit and Hatches
Now is time to cut holes in the beautiful deck. This step can be a little intimidating because if you mess it up too bad, there is no fixing it.
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Building a Cedar-Strip Kayak: The Basics
A practical account, with photos, of how I built a cedar-strip kayak.
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Images from the Sylvania Wilderness
Located in the Ottawa National Forrest on the Western end of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula near the town of Watersmeet, the Sylvania Wilderness Area is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
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Building a Cedar Strip Kayak: The Details: COST
I am in the final stretch of completing my second cedar strip kayak build. I though I'd publish the final cost since I have now purchased all the material.
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Building a Cedar Strip Kayak: The Details: Interior Fiberglass
After a thorough round of planning, sanding, patching and more sanding on both the lower half and deck interior sides I was ready to apply the fiberglass.
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Such Delicious Food.
I sometimes am puzzled by peoples reaction of disgust when they find out about a peculiar ingredient in their favorite food.
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Building a Cedar Strip Kayak: The Details: Exterior Fiberglass and Planking the Deck
Once you have completed all of the sanding and caressing of wood in the lower part of the hull it is time to apply the fiberglass and epoxy
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Building a Cedar Strip Kayak: The Details: Stripping the Hull
This is the step in the build process where your kayak actually starts to look like something. This can be a source of motivation.
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Firearm Faux Pas in Film
I am sort of a gun nut. When watching TV or a movie where a firearm is used or displayed I tend to notice details, especially the inaccurate, incorrect or careless depictions. If they don’t get it right when it comes to guns, it sort of spoils the whole movie for me. These are some of the things...
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Building a Cedar Strip Kayak: The Details: Stems and Sheer Clamp
The stems on a wood strip kayak are ¼ strips of wood which are steamed, shaped and glued together with thickened epoxy. The sheer clamp is what is used to attach the deck to the bottom of the hull.
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Building a Cedar Strip Kayak: The Details: Making and Setting Up the Forms
Making forms that determine the shape of the hull and deck, then setting them up on a build table for construction of a Cedar Strip Kayak.
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The Five Absolutes of Proper Urinal Etiquette
There are a set of rules that every man must follow when using the stand up urinals in a men’s restroom. These rules are not written, nor are the understood by women or even some men from different cultures. The interpretation and strictness of adherence can vary slightly from one man to another...
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Building a Cedar Strip Kayak: The Details: Lofting the Plans
How I "lofted" the plans (made 3-dimensional templates) for my second cedar-strip kayak.
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Dr. Leeson's Tiger Oil
Dr. Leeson was the first doctor to practice in the lumbering town of Cadillac, Michigan in 1871. He concocted a cure-all and became one of the areas well known snake-oil salesmen.
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Gold Mining in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula: Old Gold Mine Open As Late As 1937
This is another in a series of articles about Gold Mines in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula written by my father(James M. Clem) in the early 1960’s and published in the Marquette Mining Journal.
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Gold Mining in Michigans Upper Peninsula: 13 Mines at One Time
This is another in a series of articles about Gold Mines in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula written by my father(James M. Clem) in the early 1960’s and published in the Marquette Mining Journal.
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Nine simple tips for staying warm outdoors in the winter
Simple ways to keep warm while outdoors in the winter.
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Estimating the Cost of Cedar Strips for Building a Canoe
Red Cedar strips are one of the larger components of the total material cost when building a cedar strip canoe. This is an estimate of the cost for Red Cedar strips.
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It's Like a Sauna in Here! DIY Home Sauna
Step-by-step instructions on how I built an outdoor, wood-fired sauna by taking advantage of an existing small outbuilding and an old fireplace insert.
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Flirting With Hypothermia
I was beginning to worry about my son because he became inactive and his shivering became more noticeable. I fought off urges to panic but worked almost frantically to get the fire started.
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Lightweight Wood Burning Backpacking Stove
Back packing stoves and fuel can consume a fair amount of weight in your pack. A fair compromise between traditional back packing stoves and cooking on a grate over an open fire is reviewed.
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Improvised Tackle Pack for Large Fishing Lures
When packing for a wilderness canoe and fishing trip it is sometime difficult to decide how much tackle to bring and how it should be packed.
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Building a Cedar-Strip Canoe: Estimating the Cost of Epoxy and Fiberglass
One of the major material costs of building a cedar-strip canoe is epoxy and fiberglass cloth. There are a number of suppliers and epoxy costs vary a fair amount.
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Making Maple Syrup in the Back Yard
If you are a do it yourself type of person, no matter how impractical or uneconomical your project may be, you could enjoy making your own maple syrup.
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Alien Insect Invasion
I happened to glance at the pile of firewood randomly stacked behind the concrete block outbuilding that is situated halfway between the house and the barn. .....
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Drummer Boy of Chickamauga - Johnny Clem
Johnny Clem was famous for his bravery on the battlefield and became the youngest non-commissioned officer in Army history.
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Smith & Wesson J-Frame Airweight
The Smith & Wesson model 637 Airweight J-Frame revolver is an ideal concealed carry personal defense revolver.
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How to Make a Kayak Portage Yoke
This is a simple homemade portage yoke that is inexpensive and simple to construct. It works well with no slippage and is quick and easy to attach.
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Subaru Outback: An owners experience with a 2008 model
By the time I purchase my 2008 Subaru Outback, I knew what car I wanted. I’d done some online research, read some reviews and brochures, and systematically eliminated several vehicles in my price range.
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Heating with Wood
When the furnace gave out the second year I decided to purchase a Wood/Oil burning furnace. That was twenty years ago and I am still heating with wood but it is now called “Bio-Mass” a renewable resource.
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Loading and Firing a Flintlock
Firing a flintlock rifle is something that every hunter or shooting sport enthusiast should experience.
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CVA Accura Muzzleloader
I was reluctant to purchase a CVA brand when I was looking for one a few years ago but Cabelas had one on sale in their bargain cave and for the price of just over $300 I had enough left in my budget to add a decent scope.
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Owl: A Harbinger of Evil and Death?
This happened to me a few days ago and everything is just fine so far. No evil has visited my home.
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Whitetail European Style Skull Mount: The Basics
A simple deer skull mount in 10 easy steps.
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Running for Exercise: Tips to Get Started
Some people hate running. Getting started can be a painful experience if you try to do too much too soon. I’ve been running off and on for about 35 years and going from my off periods to my on periods takes some effort and determination. I’m...
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Gold Mining in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula: Boy Gold Miner
In 1895, at 12 years of age, Jim became the youngest miner at the Ropes Gold Mine in Ishpeming, Michigan.
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My Dog Skip
My wife could not resist rescuing the young Black Labrador retriever she found wandering the road in a neighborhood near our home.
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Doorbell for Dogs
Training your dog to “go potty” outside can sometimes be frustrating for both you and your dog.
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Gold Mining in Michigan's Upper Penninsula
This is an excerpt from an article written by my father (James M. Clem) in the early 1960’s about Gold mining in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
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Redneck Cuisine: A Quick Smoked Sausage Dinner
I had to whip up something quick, so I dug through the freezer and found a pack of Eckrich Smoked Sausage. Hmmm. That’s a start I thought.
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Excalibur Crossbow
I had intended to purchase a compound limb type of crossbow, like a Horton or Barnett, but the clerk at the sporting goods store convinced me to purchase the traditional limb Excalibur.
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Crazy Karmel Pecan SINnamon Rolls
A recipe for gooey cinnamon pecan rolls
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Basic Corn and Black Bean Salsa
A quick salad that goes well with grilled chicken, steaks, or any summer time picnic food.
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Making a Crow Indian War Shirt
I visited the Field Museum in Chicago and was impressed with the collection of Native American clothing. Something about the collection of War shirts really stuck with me. They were simple, colorful and beautiful. I decided then that it would be interesting to make a reproduction.
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Letters Home from a Civil War Soldier
The text of letters from a wounded Civil War Soldier to his family.
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I Bought the Farm: an old photo from 1892?
An old photo from the farm in 1892?
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Cheap Air Travel - The Hard Way
Complaining to the right people about my unfair treatment by an airline paid off for me.
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Using the Walther P22 for Pest Control
A Walther P22 loaded with 60gr. SSS ammo is effective to control varmints and pests.
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Cheap Rental Cars - The Hard Way
a story about the abuse I received from a rental car company and why it pays to complain
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I Bought the Farm - Remodel and Restore an old farmhouse
Remodeling an old farm house while living in it.
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Notes on Camouflage and Concealment
notes from online research in preparation for a seminar on camo, concealment and building a gillie suit
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Alaska: Cruising the Inside Passage to Hubbard Glacier
A personal account of our first cruise - The Inside Passage to Alaska from Vancouver.
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Packing for a Wilderness Canoe Trip
After about 20 wilderness canoe camping trips I'm beginning to narrow in on what to bring and what not to bring.
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A trip to Southern France
a trip to Southern France and the impressions of a backwoods Michigan hillbilly
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Building a Cedar-Strip Canoe: Final Steps
The final steps in my second cedar-strip canoe build, and a look at the results.
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Morel Dilemma
A few Morel mushrooms for dinner.
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Building a Cedar-Strip Canoe: Seats, Gunnels, Decks and Yoke
Detailed description of how to make the seats, yoke, gunnels and decks for the project I described in "Building a Cedar Strip Canoe: The Basics."
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Building a Cedar Strip Canoe: Sanding and Fiberglassing
A description of how shape and sand the hull then apply fiberglass and epoxy. Expansion of "Building a Cedar Strip Canoe: The Basics". More details this time.
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Building a Cedar Strip Canoe: The Details: Stripping the Hull
A description of how to attach the strips. Expansion of "Building a Cedar Strip Canoe: The Basics". More details this time.
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Building a Cedar Strip Canoe: Cutting and Milling the Strips
A description of how cut and mill the strips, expanding upon "Building a Cedar Strip Canoe: The Basics."
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Photography Training Applied: Some of my Favorite Goofy Poses
Some simple suggestions to make photos more interesting.
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Building a Cedar Strip Canoe: Making the Stems
Some of the details of my second cedar-strip canoe build.
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The Sylvania Wilderness: Solitude and Smallmouth
One of my favorite spots in Michigan, the Sylvania Wilderness Area, is a small backcountry canoe camping reserve with great fishing for Smallmouth Bass.
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Building a Cedar Strip Canoe, the Details: Making the Forms
How to create the jig for making a strip canoe.
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Unexpected Twins: A Fathers Perspective
The slightly unusual story about the birth of our children.
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How to Build a Flintlock: The Basics
My recollections of building a Tennesse Flintlock Longrifle.
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Photographic Composition OR Killing Time With a Camera
Some creative or unsual photos that demonstrate things that I find interesting when composing a photo.
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Building a Cedar-Strip Canoe, the Details: Lofting the Plans
A description of how to create canoe plans from a table of offsets which are hull measurements (lofting). Expansion of "Building a Cedar Strip Canoe: The Basics" with more details this time.
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Restoring a Gibson Electric Guitar
I restored this 1965 Gibson Melody Maker. It was a real piece of junk when I recieved it, now it looks good and plays good too.
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A Visit With My Son in Beijing
An account of my trip to Beijing, China.
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Learning to play the Acoustic Guitar – my beginning
A little late in life to start, maybe, but I was tired of just wishing I could play guitar, and a friend had encouraged me to start a bucket list of sorts. This was high on the list. After stating that wish to my family every now and then, maybe...
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Whitetail Deer Shoulder Mount: The basics
Things I learned during my first attempt at taxidermy of the Whitetail deer I took while hunting my property.
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Be Kind to Others
I was once told that I am a negative person. I think I am, but I know it would be much more fun to be positive. Yes, I'm sure I enjoy being positive and I don't enjoy being negative. But I'm finding that, at least for me, it takes work. I am trying...
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Big Pike and a Little Canoe Part 6
Using the Cedar Strip Canoe I built for wilderness camping in Canada's Quetico Provincial Park.
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Big Pike and a Little Canoe Part 5
Using the Cedar Strip Canoe I built for wilderness camping in Canada's Quetico Provincial Park.
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Big Pike and a Little Canoe Part 4
Using the Cedar Strip Canoe I built for wilderness camping in Canada's Quetico Provincial Park.
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Big Pike and a Little Canoe Part 3
Using the Cedar Strip Canoe I built for wilderness camping in Canada's Quetico Provincial Park.
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Big Pike and a Little Canoe (Quetico Provincial Park): Part 2
Using the cedar strip canoe I built for wilderness camping in Canada's Quetico Provincial Park.
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Big Pike and a Little Canoe (Quetico Provincial Park): Part 1
Using the cedar strip canoe I built in Canada's Quetico Provincial Park.
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Wilderness Navigation: The Basics
Tips on wilderness navigations that I learned while canoe camping.
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Solo Kayak Camping
Using my home built cedar-strip kayak for wilderness camping in Canada's Quetico Provincial Park.
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Building a Cedar-Strip Canoe: The Basics
A practical account of my experiences and a brief guide to building the cedar strip canoe I use for wilderness camping and fishing.
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Teach your lab how to get beer
Train your dog how to fetch beer.