Serves: 5
Look up "Pilgrim" in the dictionary and you'll find the following definition: "(1) a wanderer, (2) one who travels to a shrine or holy place as a religious act, (3) any of the band of English Puritans who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620." As often occurs, a word or term falls through the proverbial crack and takes on an entirely different meaning.
Somewhere along the way though, and it was way before my time, "Pilgrim" became synonymous with such terms as rookie, tinhorn, greenhorn, etc. To one degree or another each of us falls into this category at times. For example, in my own case if you were to plop me down in the middle of a major metro area I'd stick out like a porcupine at a cat show! On the other hand…I've observed dwellers of suburbia and other city folks venture to roads end and beyond wandering aimlessly in the forest. It's been fun, educational, and a study in man's ingenuity!
EXAMPLES
I'm a firm believer in going prepared but be realistic when you pack. I've seen it with boaters, horse packers, backpackers and day hikers. No matter what you do, you can't stuff ten pounds of potatoes into a two-pound sack! There IS a difference between essentials, necessities, and luxury!
Take a few minutes to plan your camp. Don't, for example, pitch your tent made of synthetics down wind of the campfire! Speaking of tents, dome tents should be staked and weighted down. It doesn't take much wind to displace them and given ideal terrain they will roll like a tumbleweed and just as far! I'll leave potential destinations to your imagination.
If your outdoor recreation includes boats or pack stock, take the time to learn some basic knots. Properly tied up they'll still be there in the morning when you wake up. I've never met a sailor or cowboy who prefers to be afoot. Besides, the cure for injured pride still eludes medical researchers!
Put the rain fly on the tent when you pitch it. Don't wait for the rain to start! And, before you go to bed make sure your firewood pile is covered and the toilet paper is in a WATER PROOF BAG!
Make sure anything which uses fuel of any kind is well maintained and in good operating condition. Turn off and double check connections on gas stoves, lanterns, and heaters. The best-case scenario might be you're out of gas in the morning. On the other hand only size differentiates a house fire from a tent fire, and asphyxiation is still asphyxiation!
If you're car camping, make sure you turn the ignition off as well as accessories like dome and cargo lights, or your stay may be much longer than planned. Vehicle emergency brakes are primarily designed to prevent FORWARD motion. If launching a boat or parking on a steep slope, chock the wheels for peace of mind!
Wild animals are just like college kids. Free food is the best! Take to heart campground notices advising of their presence. The size of the critter is of little importance. You'll be just as hungry if a bear cleans out your cooler, as you'll be if mice or chipmunks try samples of everything within reach!
Of course I could go on but by now you should have my point. In my own study of "Pilgrims," I've determined it takes three things to climb the ladder and be rid of the label "Pilgrim." As with any endeavor, first one needs knowledge to advance beyond the basics. Secondly, is the ability to apply one's knowledge to any given situation and not repeat mistakes, even those made by others! Of the three, tunnel vision presents the greatest obstacle for most folks, myself included.
As someone once said, "Don't sweat the small stuff!" If you do commit a faux pas, don't make the same mistake twice, grin and bear your companions' ribbing. And above all, remember you're having fun!
Spiced with More Tall Tales - Appetizers
This _Modern Day Pilgrims recipe is from the Cee Dub's Dutch Oven and Other Camp Cookin' Cookbook. Download this Cookbook today.
"I must say this is the best recipe software I have ever owned."
-Rob
"Your DVO cookbook software saves me time and money!"
-Mary Ann
"Call it nutrition software, meal planning software, cooking software, recipe manager, or whatever you want. It is the software I use to stay healthy!"
-David
"Your software is the best recipe organizer and menu planner out there!"
-Toni
"Thank you so very much for creating such a wonderful cooking recipe program. I think this is the best recipe program there is!"
-Sarah
"I saw lots of recipe software for PC computers but I was having a hard time finding really good mac recipe software. I'm so glad I discovered Cook'n! It's so nice to have all my recipes in a computer recipe organizer. Cook'n has saved me so much time with meal planning and the recipe nutrition calculator is amazing!!!
-Jill
My favorite is the Cook'n Recipe App.
-Tom
