Backwoods Bound Bullet

ARTICLE: WHITEWATER RAFTING FORGES BONDS STRONGER THAN THE RAPIDS by Jim Sampson

Colorado River Rafting is a Trip

Visualize the boat's brow cutting through the swirling, surging water; the sun sparkling on the frothy waves, making tiny rainbows; the abrupt lurch of the craft, as the surging waves suddenly shift direction. The adrenalin is pumping, all senses alert, with nature working overtime to orchestrate a thrill you'll never forget. That's what most people think a raft trip entails, but there's much more going on. Your connection with the other rafters forms a matchless adventure that won't be forgotten.

Rafting down the Arkansas River on the rushing snowmelt from 14,000 feet peaks is exciting - no doubt about it. But the trip is still safe enough for a family vacation. River rafting in Colorado combines thrilling rapids with quiet stretches, where rafters can take in the spectacular mountain scenery close up. Their mental cameras capture images that will be studied over and over later, once they return home.

Look Past the Surging River and the Drama

• There's one thing even more crucial than the water for making your adventure tour a treasured event. It's the other people. Some you bring along, like family, friends or group (such as a scout troop). You may think you know each other already, but the time spent on the river forever alters the way you'll relate back home. That's the real pay-off from a wilderness adventure. The guides and other rafters also play essential roles in the total experience.

Unlike taking a bus or a train, the goal isn't to arrive at the destination. Instead, getting there is ALL the fun. So there's no hurry. Everyone along plays their part in moving the boats, and reacts to what the river throws at them. Each person needs to develop their sense of teamwork and reliance on each other. The emotional exhilaration amps up even more because of the sharing involved. Facing physical challenges together builds trust and confidence in each other, in a matter of hours.

Make Memories that Don't Fade

• Scientists have discovered that the intensity of an emotional experience permanently alters the way a person remembers it. Emotionally charged experiences are filed differently in the brain than everyday ones are. Later, they're recalled with vivid detail, without losing clarity over time. Recalling even a small part of the event brings the full force of experience back. That's why they're called "flashbulb memories."

• When people go through such powerful experiences together, they relate to each other in new ways. It's certainly a step away from their day-in, day-out routines. That's a major reason why a wilderness adventure like whitewater rafting does more for those who take the trip than a casual vacation would. They develop new ways to relate to nature and each other. Rafters tell me they arranged the trip to get away from the TV and the cell phone. But they're pleased to find that the river is the tonic for much of what's stressful for them.

• Even when they get home, those newly-forged ways of relating influence the way people treat each other. As owner for Four Corners Rafting, one of the oldest whitewater rafting company on the Arkansas River, I've taken thousands of people on the outdoor adventure. Without exception, they find the experience delivered in ways that they hadn't expected. I'm often told that what they experienced during whitewater rafting was the highlight of their vacation."We visited all the other attractions, we saw all the sights. Nothing comes close!"

Step Out of Your Shoes

• The benefits that rafters receive don't stop when the trip is over. We've all heard the phrase about walking a mile in someone else's shoes. That does help to understand the experiences of others with fresh awareness. But I think that greater value comes in understanding yourself better. To step into someone else's shoes, you must temporarily step out of your own. That breaks a lot of habits and familiar assumptions. Then when you return to your own shoes, you can see aspects of your life that you usually overlook because they're so unbroken.

• Taking a wilderness adventure is a walk in another pair of shoes. And those people who shared that intensely emotional adventure with you took the same mind-stretching trek. That stays with you for the long haul.

Jim Sampson owns Four Corners Rafting, an early whitewater rafting company on the Arkansas River. With one to three day Colorado wilderness adventures. Near Buena Vista, Colorado you can visit Jim on his web site at www.fourcornersrafting.com or contact him at (800) 332-RAFT, PO Box 219 Nathrop, CO 81236.

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ARTICLE: FISHING FOR EVERYONE by Lucy Bowden

 A; few weeks ago we received a note from a young lady in England expressing her love of fly-fishing. So with a little coaxing, and it didn't take much, we asked her to write an article about what its like being a young female angler from England. So we are proud to introduce her to our subscribers.

 My; name is Lucy Bowden and I am seventeen years old. I have been going fly fishing since I was six years old, ever since my Dad first introduced me to the sport. Many may say fly fishing is 'boring' and question as to why I am so keen to do it, especially as I am a teenage girl who should usually be interested in things such as shopping and boys. Well I am also interested in those things, and really there is no real reason as to why I enjoy fishing, It is a relaxing pastime that anyone can do and best of all it is one of the few sports where men and women can compete at the same level.

 When; I first began fly fishing I used to fish in various lakes in England around the Northumberland area: Sweethope near Bellingham, Conundrum in Berwick, Markle Lakes in Berwickshire. I also joined a club; The Oddfellows Angling Club, which would meet on a monthly basis to discuss future fishing trips. As my fishing skills progressed and I learnt more about the sport I began to enter into competitions, many in aid of 'Macmillan Cancer Relief', helping cancer patients in Scotland and Northern Ireland. This year I entered a 'Macmillan Cancer' competition at Watchwater where Dad and I raised over a hundred pounds for the charity.

 I; am also a member of 'The England Ladies Fly Fishing Association Team' and last year I fished in a 'Grey's of Alnwick Semi Final Competition' at Sweethope Loch. Unfortunately the team came in last but the day was fun all the same. Being on the team has given me a popular reputation, especially around school, but it isn't like that and really anyone could join the team if they were especially interested.

 At; the beginning of this year I set up my own web-site; fishingforeveryone.com which took a lot of hard work! The site is dedicated to encourage the sport of fishing in girls and young women, as at the time I founded the site I had never met another co-angler under the age of thirty years old. Since setting up the site I have met a variety of different aged anglers, all with their own tips, tricks and advice for catching those big fish.

 Recently; I organized and founded a girls fishing team at my school where fourteen girls aged between thirteen and sixteen fancied giving fishing a go. Our first competition was held on October 20th 2004 at Higham Lake near Ponteland where I, along with various angling tutors began to teach the girls the art of fly fishing. The day went well and the girls left with five fish between them. One girl, Fran even came home with a fishing rod, generously given to her by the fishery for being 'the most dedicated angler of the day'. Fran didn't even come in for dinner and the weather was horrendous!

 I; have received lots of press attention from the website and if anyone is interested in giving fishing a go, no matter what kind of fishing send me an email on [email protected] and I'll see what I can work out for you! You never know, you might enjoy it! But for now its good luck and tight lines! Lucy Bowden

 Be; sure to visit Lucy's web site at WWW.FISHINGFOREVERYONE.COM

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ARTICLE: ARMADILLO WARFARE by David Falconer

 It; had been a police action for years on my father-in-law's ranch, a violent, bloody time fraught with booby traps and pitfalls soon to be followed with ambushes and bloodshed. There were many drive-by shootings in those early days with retaliation taking place in the form of vandalism in the yard and flower bed of my father-in-law's well kept yard. Armadillos are built for war; their leathery hides an armor to protect them from the onslaught of all but the most determined unarmed attacker. This hide protects their legs and even shields the side of their soft underbelly. Not unlike a small tank, they quickly, strike with deadly precision and disappear long before the first light of dawn will reveal their presence and allow for a pre-emptive or even retaliatory strike.

 The; armadillos had started the war shortly before I integrated myself into the family by marrying the oldest daughter of the ranch owner. In a guerrilla strike intended to disable my father-in-law's attempt at successfully taking his own hay from the long flat topped mountain, known locally as Haklochi, the armadillo clan lay a patchwork of holes through the hay meadow, hidden between knolls and small drains, these holes were devilishly devised to damage tractors, mowers and bailers a like. Each year between one thousand and two thousand dollars was spent repairing the equipment necessary to cut the hay for the cattle that provided the living of my in-laws. The guerrilla warfare was modestly successful and after three years of unanswered attacks we launched our first counterattack in the form of a jeep hunt that eliminated many of the small, yet efficiently clever creatures from the meadow. The ominous silence gave us all a deep foreboding as we wondered how and where the military genius of the armadillo would strike back.

 The; armadillos countered with a move to the yard and home turf of my father-in-law, destroying freshly planted flowers, shrubbery and garden plants late at night while my father-in-law slept soundly in bed. My father-in-law took a single enemy one night and within a week it seemed as if the whole yard was being infiltrated and destroyed by a concentrated effort of enemy armadillo. My father-in-law urged the assistance of all family members prompting my wife to take his .45 LC revolver from its holster one evening as an enemy scout worked frantically to burrow an observation post in the raised shrubbery beside my father-in-law's water garden. The water from a re-circulating pump created a small idyllic waterfall flowing serenely between two lifelike ceramic raccoons that created the backdrop to scene of soon to be violence, the armadillo oblivious to the witness of his actions or the stalk of the hunter.

 My; wife raised the .45 LC and fired as the armadillo dug hurriedly. With the sound of the shot, the waterfall abruptly stopped flowing and the enemy scout made his get-away. My wife's errant shot had severed the underground cable to the re-circulating pump and allowed the armadillo to make his escape unscathed.

 That; night multiple excursions through the yard destroyed three flowerbeds in the back yard and mussed another that would be repairable in the front yard. At supper we discussed the actions we would need to take that night. My father-in-law and I circled the home and barns near the house looking for the round hump bobbing along that gave away the position of our enemy. We found nothing, even after a second trip around the barns at midnight.

 We; had discussed getting up around 3 AM and trying it again, a discussion I intended to forget as soon as my head hit the pillow and sleep overtook me.

 At; 3:20 AM my father-in-law awoke, his eyes growing accustomed to the full moon glow illuminating his room. He felt as though something had woke him but he was unsure as to what it might be. Standing beside his bed, in the light of the full moon he could see the culprit behind his backyard vandalism "balled up and digging like mad" not 40 feet from his sliding bedroom door. Carefully, not taking his eyes from the armadillo, my father-in-law removed his 20-gauge shotgun from the gun rack. The box of number 4 shot on his dresser was more than adequate for the armor plating of his enemy outside. He opened the breech of the single shot 20, dropping a round in the chamber and closing it with a resounding click. Taking a second shell, he slid the end between the fingers of his left hand.

 Chuckling; to himself as he thought about waking my wife and me, as the shotgun blast would resound down the hallway, he woke my mother-in-law who asked, "What are you doing?"

 My; father-in-law replied, "Got one all balled up out here and digging like hell. I am going to shoot him and you watch how fast the light comes on in Sis's room. (My wife and I were asleep in "sis's room".)"

 Easing; the sliding glass door open a fraction, he said, "I can hear him digging." And he raised the gun, sending the whole load of shot into the balled up form in front of him. He quickly snapped the gun open, letting the ejector toss the hull as he fed another shell into it, blasted it a 2nd and final time, smiling happily as it expired in a heap half way across the yard in the moonlit shadow of the basketball goal.

 He; glanced at the hallway. Neither my wife nor I had budged from our sound sleep. My mother-in-law asked, "Did you get it?"

 "Yeah I did," he replied proudly. "It ran but I got off a second shot quick enough that it only made it to the kid's basketball goal."

 My; mother-in-law said, "Be sure and get it picked up first thing in the morning. The other grandkids will be here and the middle one does not like to see dead animals."

 "I will get it first thing in the morning," my father-in-law replied.

 The; late night excitement took its toll and we had all slept in. My father-in-law had just finished telling us of his success at eliminating one of the enemy horde in the middle of the night when my sister-in-law's truck rolled across the cattle guard. My mother-in-law and father-in-law looked at each other as they seen the kids race out of the truck.

 "Did you get it?" my mother-in-law asked with an icy stare as my father-in-law sheepishly shook his head that he had not. With a sigh, my mother-in-law said, "You can explain to her why there is a dead animal in the yard then."

 I; could see my father-in-law was prepared as my two nieces walked in, their expressions strangely puzzled on their faces.

 "Talk to your granddad," my mother-in-law said.

 The; oldest looked at my father-in-law and asked, "Granddad, who shot our basketball full of holes?"

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In this issue:

BACKWOODS TRIVIA: • This month's question was sent in by Shauna Louis and is just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. See if you know it.

It's common knowledge that the Pilgrims sailed aboard the Mayflower to America but many are not aware that the voyage actually started with two ships. What is the name of the second ship?

Bonus question: On what date did the voyage begin?

Find the answer at the end of this newsletter.

Send your trivia questions to [email protected] .

** BACKWOODS BOUND CHILI SEASONING MIX **

• As hunting season and the cool fall weather hits, the urge for a great pot of chili hits too. Backwoods Bound Chili Seasoning Mix can fulfill that urge! Our unique blend of spices makes a perfect pot of chili every time. Besides making a hearty pot of chili, give it a try for delicious tasting fajitas, enchiladas, jambalaya and now tostadas! Backwoods Bound Chili Seasoning Mix, it's simple to use and great tasting too! What else could you want? Use our secure on-line ordering system at www.backwoodsbound.com/chili.html. Or pick some up today at Columbia Mini Mart in Columbia, Illinois or Evansville Food Mart in Evansville, Illinois.

• Backwoods Bound Chili Seasoning Mix - "Not To Mild... Not To Hot. Treat Yourself And Make A Pot!"

RECIPE: BACKWOODS BOUND TOSTADAS

* In a skillet, mix the meat together with the seasoning mix. Cook until browned. Drain fat.

* Mix in the refried beans and the water. Heat until hot.

* Heat tostada shells according to package directions.

* Spoon the meat mixture onto a shell. Top with cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, onions and salsa.

For more of recipes using Backwoods Bound Chili Seasoning Mix, go to www.backwoodsbound.com/zchili.html and to order a supply of Chili Seasoning Mix go to www.backwoodsbound.com/chili.html.

RECOMMEND THE BACKWOODS BOUND BULLET TO A FRIEND!

Know a friend who enjoys the outdoors as much as you do? Recommend The Bullet to them. It's easy to do, just follow this link or copy and paste the url into your browser! http://www.cumuli.com/ezines/backwo.ezine Thank you!

HUNTIN' TIPS: Our first two tips are on deer hunting. The first one comes from Luke who says, "When hunting from a stand keep an empty Gatorade bottle with you to use the bathroom in. It is much easier to use than the normal twenty ounce bottle."

The next deer hunting tip is from Jason and he sends us this. "A great deer cover scent to use is imitation vanilla. Mix it half water and half vanilla. Spray boots and body before hunting."

And the final tip this month comes from Derrick Howell on coon hunting. Derrick says, "When coon hunting and you can't spot the coon, try flashing your light in the tree, the coon will become curious and look at you."

Thanks guys for sharing your tips. For more tips visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/tipshunting.html.

** BACKWOODS BOUND STATE SHAPED TROPHY PLAQUES **

Deer season is upon us and now is the time to get your order in for a Backwoods Bound State Shaped Trophy Plaque. You know you're going to get the big one this year, so why not order your plaque in now! Don't waste your money buying one of those plaques from the discount stores. Not only are they made from imitation wood, but they all look the same. Mount your trophy on something unique this year and have it stand out from the rest. Beat the rush and order yours now!

Don't forget about that trophy fish you caught this summer or that trophy trout you'll catch this fall. Tell your taxidermist that you'll supply your own plaque and order a Backwoods Bound State Shaped Trophy Plaque. ALL states and Canadian provinces are available. ORDER TODAY!! You'll be glad you did! For more information and photos or to place your order go to www.backwoodsbound.com/antlrplaq01.html .

• Christmas is just around the corner and a Backwoods Bound State Shaped Trophy Plaque will make a great gift! Order early to beat the rush. Place your order on-line and pay with your Visa or MasterCard through PayPal or use your PayPal account. Visit http://www.backwoodsbound.com today to place your orders!

WHAT'S NEW

• We are excited to be bringing two new products to you in the next few weeks. To the request of our waterfowling buddies we have added a new design and camo pattern to our popular camouflage hats. Look for a great new design featuring a flying mallard on Mossy Oaks Shadow Grass camo pattern. These hats are the same high quality as our deer and fish design camo hats. The price will remain at $11.95 each for all of the designs.

• Our next new product, and we are really excited about this one, is some great looking window decals for your truck, car or R.V.. We will be offering two designs to start with, a bounding buck deer and a jumping bass. Both decals are highly detailed and the high quality is made to last several years in the outdoors. The decals will cost $12.49 each. Details and ordering information on both new products will be on the site in a few weeks. Remember that Christmas is only a month away and all of our Backwoods Bound products will make great gifts for that special outdoors person.

• We also want to mention two new affiliates to our site, Santa Claus.com and Mr. Beer. With Christmas coming soon, the products these two companies offer would make great gifts. At SantaClaus.com you're able to send a personal letter and/or gift to someone special directly from Santa himself. Kids will love it! And for the bigger kids, Mr. Beer has all of the things you need to set up and make your own home brew. Go to our Gifts page at www.backwoodsbound.com/gifts.html and click on their respective banners to place your order or for more information.

And last but not least, we have upgraded the way we calculate our shipping charges when you purchase our products. In the past each of our products had its own unique shipping charge and it was quite confusing. Starting November 1, 2004 we will begin basing the shipping charges on the subtotal amount of your order. This method of calculating shipping charges is pretty much the industry standard. We tried to keep certain shipping charges the same as in the past. For example, it will still cost the same, $1.75, to ship a triple pack of our Chili Seasoning Mix. It may take a little time to get used to the new system but we feel the change will greatly benefit our customers.

If anyone has any questions or comments on our new products, affiliates or shipping charges, send a note to [email protected] and we will help any way we can. Thank you.

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** SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA GUIDE SERVICE **

 We; offer a premium guide service specializing in striper fishing, duck hunting and catfishing on Lake Texoma and the Red and Washita Rivers. We offer over fifty-years combined experience guiding on Lake Texoma. Our fishing boats are all modern off-shore style boats, 23-26 feet in length, that easily accommodate 2 to 7 people. Lake Texoma is the premier striped bass fishery in the United States. In addition, our lake is a major migration transition area for waterfowl on the Central Flyway.

 Our; goal is for you have a rewarding and memorable experience fishing or hunting on our beautiful lake. We are located at Soldier Creek Resort, a full service resort and marina south of Kingston, Oklahoma. Check us out on the web at WWW.SOUTHERNOKLAGUIDES.COM, or contact Doc Walker at 877-664-2208 or [email protected].

See this month's Crazy Captions photo at: www.backwoodsbound.com/funphotos.html and send us your Crazy Caption. Have a photo that would make a great Crazy Caption? Send it to [email protected].

INTERESTING QUOTE: "There are three kinds of people in this world..... Those that can count and those who can't." - Ron Pacurar - Ohio, U.S.A.

Seen or heard an interesting or humorous quote? Send it in and we'll post them next month. Send them to: [email protected]

RECIPE: • CHEESY GRILLED DOVE BREAST

* Skin and clean dove breasts. Season to taste with your favorite seasonings, salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc..

* Place one slice of jalapeno and one slice cheese onto dove breast. Wrap the breast, pepper and cheese with bacon and secure with toothpicks.

* Grill over low to medium heat until done. Baste with melted butter if desired.

Our thanks to Kim Downey Harpool for sending in this recipe for us to try. For more great recipes visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/recipe.html

FISHIN' TIP: - This month's fishing tip comes from Dale Ridings who sends us this. "Save those small tins that Altoids and other candy come in. They make great containers for flies and other fishing tackle and they fit just right in a fishing vest. Cut a piece of styrofoam to fit inside to keep the lures from banging around. It sure beats buying a fly box at $8.00 or more."

Mike T. adds "make sure and wash the tin out throughly as the smell of the mints will scare the fish, although catfish seem to love it."

Thanks Dale and Mike for the tips. Send your tips to [email protected] and we will post them on the site or use them in an upcoming issue of The Bullet.

** ADVERTISE HERE **

Place your ad here for only $5.00 an issue. Be seen by over 1300 potential buyers! Reduced rates for multiple issues. Contact us at [email protected] for details.

FUN FACTS: - Our first fun fact this month comes from David Wilson. Antler velvet is the fastest substance in the animal world it grows even faster than cancer.

The next one is from Lynn who sends in this one. All bananas start out as female flowers on a banana tree. The female flowers turn into bananas. The male flowers don't do anything.

And finally from Beatrice H.. An average chocolate bar has 8 insects' legs in it.

Thank all of you for sending in your fun facts. For more Fun Facts visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/funfacts.html.