doublegunshop.com - home Forums Thread Like Summary - Packing up gear for the long ride North.

Less than a week to launch now, so working on the first cut of guns and ammo today. Planning a nice long stay, which allows a better mix of bird guns to go this year. Since I seldom fly, I have the luxury of doing it like this. Still trying to figure out what and how much ammo to take, but it shouldn't take me too-long (most are old friends). Taking even more foodstuffs this year too (as my wife is flying up as well for at least half of it). With her cooking, I suspect that I wont be able to walk quite enough to lose any real weight, but I'll be giving it my best shot.

All packed up here tonight.Taking a shocking amount of foodstuffs with me (much cheaper here than up on the frontier and a better variety). Even loaded up on some good wine at the local Costco (we are going to be up there for a pretty long stretch this year). A buddy donated a fairly decent Laz-E-Boy chair for the camp (got one going on the fritz up there) so that's in the back as well. A local has let us raid her tomato patch in past years (she uses fish-heads & guts as fert and they have been pretty spectacular!) so I'm taking up a good supply of venison (elk & deer) to share-around again (& with her & her husband as well). The ride across the plains can be a bit grueling, but the route is well-known now and I'm taking a modern (and very comfortable) set of wheels so...bring it on! Barring the unforeseen, this should be a pretty wonderful adventure. Feeling quite-blessed tonight. Launch early tomorrow AM.

Thanks folks! Not leaving until Saturday, but you know how hard getting unhooked from everything is. This used to be easier somehow. Now I'm traveling with 2 laptops and a cellphone just to keep the juggling-act going. Really looking forward to that first trail, just closing my gun on a couple shells and and setting off for a few hours of blessed isolation.

Big day here today. Shot my 16 for the 1st time in several years and it performed flawlessly. Limited out before noon.

Thanks Karl, and fear not, have cellphone will travel.

First cut is now done and I found 90% of what I was looking for (missing a good pair of low-light Costa hunting/fishing sunglasses and my favorite camo hunting coat (hopefully I left both up there last Spring!). My gunroom has become rather frightful, as it desperately needs yet another hoeing-out and organizing. I've been stockpiling ammo and components for years and while it's a good problem to have these days, I'm tripping over a bunch of stuff now. Rods and reels, rifles and boots and all the rest. I need to take some notes from my hyper-organized and super-efficient wife (as I didn't need or learn all that as a younger man back in Hillbilly Hell). God give me grace...

Don't worry CZ, I sprinkle money all over the place. If I didn't use mostly-ancient English shotguns I'd buy all my shells up there, but only one of my guns is even remotely modern (well...two counting the "truck gun"). Between gasoline, groceries, booze, bait, and various house & boat-hardware needs, the local economy does just fine when I'm in residence.

Made it. Still lots to do (and even unpack), but...I'm hunting 1st thing tomorrow. Hearing good things from the locals and the Fall colors are well along here already. My brummy BLE is quivering.

Who says you can't shoot ruffed grouse with a hammergun? You certainly can if they're young and dumb.

I know it’s contrary to how most of us typically do things, but try to spend a little money with the local businesses if you can. Buying a few boxes of shotgun shells in a common size saves a lot of carrying burden for you and just might help a little mom and pop hardware store where you get your license at.
That’s how I ended up with so many boxes of active shells. They were just on the shelf at a hardware store on my way north.

Safe travels Lloyd, have some new adventures and make some new memories.

Lloyd,
Wishing you another great North trip, keep us posted with plenty of photos!
Karl

Lloyd,
Have a safe trip. I presume a certain Dodge is not making the trip?

Let me know if you forget anything.

Best,
Ted

Cool up there this morning, a low of 41-degrees. It should look something like this upon my arrival...



The challenge is the 2-day drive on our interstate system to get up there. I've tried several alternative routes but... for overall efficiency (fuel, time, & general comfort) the interstates still rule. I-80 can be pretty bad, but I-35 is usually very nice. Anyway....this is how it starts (heading east from our home here in Colorado).



Is it just me or is it hard to balance these two worlds?

Love your reports, Lloyd. Hope you have a great and safe sojourn.
JR