Another Leopold Bench

Yep. Not very original, but I built another Leopold Bench, from these plans. It's all 2 X 10. Like any other project, when you start with the right materials it's a lot easier. Will say, 20˚ temperatures and snow don't make things easier. Not displeased with the results however.

It will be a gift. I think it accomplishes the ‘welcome, rest, think, repsect’ goal I had in mind.

A Place to Sit Outside - Benches

Slightly off the usual topic of outdoor pursuit but relevant I think. For whatever reason, I seem to make a lot of benches. Benches are great for sitting outside and playing guitar because you have room to maneuver the guitar body and neck away from the arms.

I posted this earlier about the Leopold bench I made from scrap wood because I always wanted to make one. It is a great, simplistic design and I love it for that.

I have made several follow this more traditional design. I've made them in varying lengths, always out of cedar. They seem to hold up well, are comfortable and just "look right."

Another less traditional one is this. Like the Leopold bench, it was made out of scrap wood, 4 X 4's form a swing-set in this case. Another that's in the works is a retaining wall that doubles as a bench. Not quite finished yet. If you see any interesting benches, particularly made out of recycled or reclaimed materials, please share.

Banding Day - Watch it Live!

OhioDivWildlife8:25am via HootSuite

It's banding day for Zoom, the Columbus peregrine falcon. Tune in at 10 a.m. to watch the event live online! ow.ly/leSWN

Falcons in Ohio

One interesting thing every spring is the "Live Falcon Cam" from the ODNR. Located on the 41st floor ledge of the Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, the bell tower of the Bowling Green Courthouse in Bowling Green, and on the Chase Bank tower in Canton, you can watch live ledge and nest cams.

Watch it here.

T. Boone Pickens

“If someone ever offers you a bird dog, don’t take it. You wouldn’t just give someone a bird dog that was actually worth a damn, would you? Hell no, you’d keep it yourself, so why would someone give one to you?” Pickens then added, with a wry smile, "of course, people give me some pretty nice bird dogs these days."

If you think you've ever spoiled a dog, you haven't seen this kennel.. 

Shed Hunting

Now is the prime time for shed hunting. This site, Trophy Pursuit, is a great resource for all things shed hunting. I know that there are several bucks I've watched all winter that should be dropping. I think it's time for a walk...

Adirondacks XC Ski

Winter view of Lake Harris, Newcomb, NY.

The Adirondacks are a hard place. It's cold, windy and lonesome in the winter. Which makes it wonderful if you have the temperament for those sort of things.

XC-skiing in the Adirondacks.

Probably because it's a state park, it doesn't get as much attention as some of the others such as Yellowstone and the Smokey's.  But it's plenty wild and you could get lost in a bad way if you're not careful - in a really good way if you are.

With more than 46 real mountain peaks within a days drive of more than 1/2 the country, I'm slightly surprised it doesn't get more attention. But I'm not really disappointed. It is a hard, wild place. And I like it like that. If you've been, you know what I mean and I'd love to hear your stories.