Pete, thanks for the link. I like the design for those sandals.
I've had 2 significant footwear problems.
Once, during a pre-survival mode of life, I was hiking on a BSA outing. The sole on my boot came loose from the toe to the front of the heel. I was only a mile or two from the car, but the terrain was rough for my tender feet. Fortunately, another Boy Scout was better prepared than I. He had a roll of tape. Not duct tape, but it still made an effective expedient repair. Back at home Shoe Goo made for a durable repair. Now I'm a devoted believer of carrying my own duct tape.
A few years ago I was hunting over an irrigated farm field. Some of my birds dropped about 20-30 feet into the flooded field. I quickly learned that the water was about 3" over the tops of my boots. Next I discovered that my boots sunk deep into the thick, gooey, soil which strongly held my boots down. I had traversed about 10' of the muck and my boots were stuck. Eventually I was able to pull one foot out of the mire, but not the boot. After several more minutes of exertion, I was able to lift the foot while keeping the boot on. Naturally putting my weight on the one foot as I twisted my body to free the foot pushed the second foot deeper into the muck. And of course none of my hunting party was in sight. After about ½ hour I worked my way back to dry land.
In that episode, I learned several lessons: I check carefully for water depth, how deeply I tend to sink into it, and how tenaciously it holds onto my boots. I also leave my shotgun at my shooting position & carry a pole with a hook on it to pick up the birds with less wading into the mire. It also doubles as a walking stick to aid in balancing when the mud holds my boots too strongly. Come to think of it, a pool cleaning net on a long telescoping pole would work even better.
John
Previous Topic
Index
