Unlike the backpacking trip that I've been wanting to take my nephew on, we ended up going to a camp on one of the "Old Rivers" that have previously been the Mississippi River prior to one of the last changes. No, I don't care to get into the "why" of this change in plans.

We did get to try making a fire from a magnesium fire starter and no, we didn't get a fire without help from "flicking my Bic"! That WAS an eye opener although I still feel that we could get a fire going if we had to. Yes,, we will practice more until we master the technique!

We also got some practical testing done with 2 BoB's, 1 Backpacking (ALICE), and 2 Day Hiking packs that I recently put together. I found that in re-aligning my different packs, I have neglected to include bandannas in my ALICE pack/gear that I use for backpacking.

I have also found that I forgot to get Triple Anti-Biotic Ointment in all three pack FAK's.

I did get to give some good training to my nephew on all of the survival equipment except for the signal mirror (I had a senile moment and forgot that item).

Tomorrow, I will purchase what is needed & get all 3/2 packs ready for use.

I have decided that the food stocks that I have been keeping in my BoB should be adequate for the use I would have to put it to, if I ever need it (hiking from my boat from as far North as Evansville, Ind or as far west as Corpus Christi, Tx to my home 20). No, I don't think that 10 days rations and 24 water purification tablets are sufficient but they should buy me the time to get to safer locations to purify (straining & boiling) water and procure prepared (MRE's, C-Rats) or more of the longer cooking types (Rice, dried beans/peas, etc) of foods. This would be time I would use to lay up, prepare food & water, heal up a little bit, etc; before making another 2 or 3 day push towards home.

I will once again go through all of my packs and start removing items that I didn't use this weekend (and would probably never use) as well as more of the redundant items (no, I'm keeping all of my bics) but I will drop electrical tape, piggin string, Zippo lighter, lighter fluid, etc.

The next camping trip opportunity will be a backpacking trip!!