Brownie The Wonder Dog Heads Down The Final Trail

Having been born a mutt by the road, he lived on death row at the pound before Brownie became a McNaughton. He was a good dog and we are all sad to see him go. But he's just down the trail waiting for us to catch up.

Algonquin Park planning

I've begun to look into route planning for Mancation 2010: CanoEpic. First off, does everyone agree on the idea of an Algonquin Park canoe trip?

Algonquin Outfitters suggest routes starting from Opeongo Lake (access point # 11 - we have an outfitting store there), Cedar Lake (access point 27 - we have an outfitting store there also), Smoke Lake (access point #6) or Rock Lake (access point #9). Their outfitting store at Oxtongue Lake is the most convenient outfitting store for the last two access points.

Google map that shows Algonquin Park Access Points.

Remote Waters of the Adirondacks

Explore peaceful waters while enjoying solitude in an environment abound with Adirondack beauty, sounds and wildlife on a guided Quiet Water Canoe & Wildlife excursion. And do it in a 16 lb Hornbeck Canoe.

Mancation 2010?

Ideas:

• Appalachian Trail thru SW Virginia
• NC rafting and mountain biking
• WV rafting
• Laurel Highlands Trail
• Greenbrier Trail bike and canoe

other suggestions?

The dream is over

Panoramania!

The views on the ride out and back from Magpie were better without Paul.

Another Maah Daah Hey vista

From Harney to Eternity

Sylvan = Abounding in woods, groves, or trees

Jeff Borglum McNaughton

A man of vision. A man of action.

Harney Peak

A shot of the team.

Devil's Pass

Here is a view of Devil's Pass.

Bennett Creek

This is a photo of Bennett Creek.

Postmortem

Arrived back safely.

Friday Night, Bennett Campground,  launched rockets.   There are no trees at Bennett but the weather was cool so we were comfortable.

From Macation 2009 The Badlands Ain't So Bad

Saturday morning, the boys hit the trail.    The weather is cool in the morning.   But the afternoon would turn brutally hot.

From Macation 2009 The Badlands Ain't So Bad

Boys arrive back from the trial.   Turns out that the biggest threat on the trail is cow manure as can be witnessed by the N.D. tan line below.

From Macation 2009 The Badlands Ain't So Bad

The trail was hot and Magpie has trees so we stayed an additional night there.   Still, the best place for shade is behind the van.

From Macation 2009 The Badlands Ain't So Bad

From Macation 2009 The Badlands Ain't So Bad

This is the road to Magpie.

From Macation 2009 The Badlands Ain't So Bad

We stopped near Spearfish Canyon.   We bathed in the stream.

From Macation 2009 The Badlands Ain't So Bad

Our last stop was Custer State Park S.D.    Here we trekked up Harney Peak.

From Macation 2009 The Badlands Ain't So Bad

We spent the night just off the trail.

From Macation 2009 The Badlands Ain't So Bad

The rest of the time we trekked around Sylvan Lake and the area.

From Macation 2009 The Badlands Ain't So Bad

Brownie really enjoyed himself and earned the title "Trail Dog"

From Macation 2009 The Badlands Ain't So Bad

Tweet

Matt started a Mancation Twitter account. He'll update our status using his cell. The feed is in the sidebar so you can follow along there as well.

Tomorrow we pack the van. Thursday we hit the road. Friday we arrive in North Dakota.

Inspiration

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Badlands Weather Cooperates

Fri
Jul 10

Sunny

84°
57°

10%

10%

Sat
Jul 11

Sunny

87°
59°

0%

0%

Sun
Jul 12

Isolated T-Storms

85°
58°

30%

30%

Mon
Jul 13

Sunny

85°
55°

0%

0%

T -7 Days and Counting

The time is quickly drawing near and the excitement is building.  The first planning session has been a success.   Jeff is a little confused about why Matt and Paul need "Chamois Butter"?    Gordon was not present since he was with the Boy Scouts of America at Camp Falling Rock honing his skills to an even finer point.  Check lists in hand, the intrepid outdoorsmen prepared for every conceivable situation from mountain lions to meteor strikes.   The only question that remains is to find out if all the stuff will actually fit in the SAG wagon.

SAG wagon

The Honda Odyssey will be the SAG wagon for the trip.  It just got a service and is ready to roll.   Unlike poor Matt who is currently stuck in vacation limbo with the nicest 6 seater soap box derby car in North Carolina.

The Odyssey will be manlified by loading bikes on top and filling the rear with all kinds of camping toys.   Several days of bike riding will also impart a certain manly stench about the cabin.

Ultimate Man Trip Checklist

No real man goes on any trip without a checklist. This list from Love the Outdoors is a starting place as good as any. It's easy enough to add things to the list like 2" thick aged corn fed beef strip steaks. Here's some things we won't be taking...

• Television
• Decorative Lights,
• Camp Kitchen or Portable Grill
• Kindle

Brownie: Brave Heart, Weak Constitution

Well, the poll is in and Brownie has been voted the most likely to not return. Poor dog, he doesn't even have a choice. At least he'll die happy out on the trail with the beasts and the birds.

Next Poll, how many days until they are not following the planned route?

Time Is Running Out, Vote in the "Who Dies First" Poll

Check the sidebar to the right. Make your pick. You get bragging rights and a big "Told You So" if you are correct.

Matt's Must Have Equipment: Bike Shorts

Sure you make fun of people who wear them but you don't ride a bike much do you? When you're riding a bike, friction is the enemy. These pants have smooth sonic welded seams. They provide support for your muscles and wick away moisture. So at least your comfortable while everyone snickers.

Paul's Equipement Pick, The Coleman Latern

No need to be afraid of the dark with one of these. Brighter than the sun, these babies light up the night like a nuclear bomb. Lost your keys in the dirt? Want to play some cards? Bigfoot stalking you? Like to collect insects? The Coleman Lantern is to the rescue.

Cookie's Must Have Equipment.

If you ask Cookie (Jeff) if there is one piece of equipment that is most important, He'll tell you it is the Dutch Oven.    There is nothing better than cooking on cast iron.  You won't be packing it into the back country, but if your cooking for a crowd around a camp, the Dutch Oven is the only choice.    Simply put the food inside, some coals on the bottom and top, and open a cold drink of choice.   And there is nothing better than the smell emanating from a good Dutch Oven.

The Man-Plan

Planning is important to every expedition if for no other reason than to be completely ignored.   They are also useful to look back on when disaster strikes so you can say "we should have stuck to the plan."   So here is our plan.  

• Sunday, July 5:  evening   Bring over equipment and spread out in Jeff's living room.
  
• Tuesday, July 7:  Pack your bags.
  
• Wednesday, July 8:  Come to Jeff's, Drink Beer,  Pack Van.
  
• Thursday, July 9:  Hit the Road! right after work about (6p), drive through the night
  
• Friday, July 10:  ARRIVE at Bennett Campground at Maah Daah Hey trailhead (about 6p)
  
• Saturday, July 11:  RIDE from Bennett to Magpie 
  
• Sunday, July 12:  RIDE from Magpie to Elkhorn
  
• Monday, July 13:  RIDE Elkhorn to Wannagan , DRIVE Wannagan to Spearfish
  
• Tuesday, July 14: Sylvan Lake Campground
  
• Wednesday, July 15:  Pan for Gold , Sylvan Lake Campground
  
• Thursday, July 16:  Backcountry camping near Harney Peak.
  
• Friday, July 17: Breakfast on Harney Peak ?  Back to Sylvan Lake Campground
  
• Saturday, July 18:  DRIVE from Custer to BadLands, Wall Drug, St. Joseph's museum in Chamberlain, or maybe Wounded Knee?   Stop on other side of South Dakota
  
• Sunday,  July 19: go native, call Columbus to quit job, move clan out west
  

Brownie the Wonder Dog, Profile in Bravery

Brownie is both the oldest and the youngest on the trip.   10 years old in human years, but 70 in dog years.

Brownie doesn't have much time for all the excitement.   His primary focus will be protecting the camp site from the dangerous animals that prowl the wilds.

I pity the mountain lion that gets on Brownie's bad side.

Gordon, Profile in Experience

As a Boy Scout,  Gordon has become an expert in camping, hiking and mountain lion taming.   Gordon killed a bear with his bare hands when he was only 3 (although this is often incorrectly attributed to Davy Crockett in the Disney Song).  Gordon leaves no trace behind and packs in no more than he needs and the team will look to Gordon's experience to survive.

While Jeff will make sure they make it home.  Gordon will make sure they come home in one piece.

Jeff, Profile in Endurance

Every story requires the brave and the good looking.   So that leaves Jeff as the quirky sidekick.   Jeff is a cross somewhere between Gabby Hayes and The Dude.

+

=

?

Jeff will be Cookie on this trip.   Spending long hours behind the wheel and tirelessly bending over the fire stirring the beans.   

Paul and Matt may be crazy enough to attempt the Badlands on bicycles but Jeff will make sure they get home.  Or at least he'll pick up the pieces.

 

Paul, Profile in Determination

Paul, as Face in the show A-Team.

Don't let Paul's boyish grin fool you.   Underneath lies the the unstoppable heart of a lion.   "Been there, Done That" was Paul's motto by the age of 10.   When Matt threw down the challenge,  no one was quicker to join in than Paul.  Mountain lions, thirst, sand, and heat are no problem for Paul.   He will conquer them like Chuck Norris beating on Steven Segal. When the going gets tough, the tough call Paul.

Matt, Profile in Motivation

Matt is the chief instigator  of this incredible undertaking.   Matt has roused his fellow travelers to unshackle themselves from everyday life and set forth into the Badlands.

But they are not bad enough to stop Matt and Paul from attempting the unthinkable.  They will attempt to ride through the Badlands on 2 wheels.  Using only their wits and the trail markers to guide them.

The team will rely on Matt's guile, endurance, and rugged good looks to survive the ordeal.  

A New Challenge, Barefoot Hiking.

Not to be out done by 2 sisters,  maybe the intrepid crew should try some barefoot hiking ?

The Countdown Begins...

As long as the machines don't start their uprising, July 10, 2009 begins the greatest adventure EVER!

Jeff, Gordon, Matt, and Paul along with Brownie the Wonder Dog head into the great unknown. Challenging themselves and the world to push beyond the limits of vacation, to reach deep within themselves to create a MANCATION.