How to build a Snowman and have fun in the snow

It's snowing again here today, so I thought I would share the snowman my daughter and I made a few years ago. We first started off with little snowballs and rolled them around on new snow. Gradually the kept getting bigger and bigger.

We stacked them on top of each and filled in some spaces with snow. We then smoothed everything and added some stick eyes, nose, mouth, and arms. Turned out pretty good. You can't tell by the picture, but it was a good 5 feet tall.

Of course if you are going to play in the snow, you should follow some cold weather tips. The next snowman we make will be even better.

Wild Edible Plant of the Week - Dandelion

Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale

There are not many months in a year that you do not see this wild edible. Gardeners gasp at the sight of them. To them they are like a sequel to a very bad movie. We all know this plant, because it seems to follow humans everywhere they go. Of course I am talking about Taraxacum officinale, also known as, the common dandelion.

This plant, or as some of us would call “a weed”, is found just about everywhere. It is easily recognized by the yellow flowers that cover many lawns and gardens, and even roadsides and places unexpected. It is one of the first flowers to emerge in the spring. As the days go past, the yellow eventually turns into fluffy, white, airborne seeds that create a whole new crop of these “weeds” that everyone loves.

Little do you know the value of what you have by just walking out your back door. You may scoff at the sight of these plants, but let me tell you, they are very good eating. They are not only good eating, but they make a great homemade wine. Because of the abundance of these plants throughout the years, there are many known uses.

This plant has 3 main edible parts, these being:

1. The succulent roots.
2. The tender root crowns.
3. The young leaves and flower buds

The roots of this plant can be eaten after being scraped, cleaned, and boiled in salt water. They can also be dried and roasted until nut-brown all the way through and then used as a coffee substitute or stretcher. Mostly sold as a diuretic, dandelion root is a registered drug in Canada. The root crowns, by many opinions, have an even finer flavor than the young leaves.

The leaves and flower buds can be eaten raw, if you don't mind the bitterness. Boiling would fix the tang of bitterness, changing the water at least once. Even the old leaves can be eaten, but there will most likely be enough young ones around to make a meal. Used in salads, this is a tasty plant not to be passed up.

Next Wild Edible Plant - Yellow Nutsedge
Previous Wild Edible Plant - Cattail

Images courtesy of Wikipedia

Cold Weather Hiking - Go Prepared

If you are an all season hiker, you probably already know how to "pack" for the conditions in your area. But what if you are new to the area, or in a hurry just to get out. Here are a few tips to keep your hike worry free.

For Summer/Autumn:

1. Take enough water. Roughly 2 liters per day, more if it is very hot.
2. If it is very hot, take frequent rest stops. Say 5 minutes for every mile for example.
3. Keep covered if in direct sun.
4. Bring a few clothing articles - it may get colder closer to dusk in the area you are at.
5. Take something to snack on. It will replenish some lost energy.

For Winter/Spring:

1. Take extra layers of clothing with you. If you are warm, take off some layers. If too cold, you'll be glad you have something extra to throw on.
2. You still need water, even though you may not feel thirsty. About 2 liters per day.
3. Keep your head covered. You still lose heat from your head.
4. Take a small "survival kit" with you. Things like matches, rope/twine, etc.
5. Carry a knife of some sort. Things will be easier if something were to happen.

For all occasions:

1. Tell someone the general area you will be in. Tell more than one person.
2. Research the area. Know the general lay of the land.
3. Take a map and compass - know how to use them.
4. In these times, take your cell phone with you.
5. Also a GPS if you have one.
6. Never PANIC. If something goes wrong, keep your head and think. You will be just fine.
   

You will have a great time outdoors by following those general guidelines. Just have fun. Take in all the beauty and enjoy it.

Wild Edible Plant of the Week - Cattail

Cattail
Typha Latifolia

I am sure that everyone knows what a cattail looks like. I bet they could even pick it out of a line up of different pictures. Everyone can see in their mind the big and brown ”hot dog” tip that they used to crumble up and let the fluff fly everywhere. Remember that stuff - it got everywhere.

Now that you know what it is, I am betting not many people know the significance this plant. Not only does it provide a great habitat for other animals, but it also helps to keep lakes, streams, and other bodies of water healthy by filtering harmful run-off. This in turn helps to reduce nutrients and mud from destroying delicate ecosystems.

Think about the long, slender, flat leaves. They have been used to create many useful items to the outdoorsman. Things such as floor mats, furniture, baskets, and then, waterproof with pine pitch, you have a good water-carrying “canteen”. All this by drying the leaves and soaking them in water to make pliable and then just weaving.

I remember using the straight stalks as arrows. To test all my homemade weaponry, such as ballistas, crossbows, and recurves. Worked great for testing purposes.

The “hot dog” tip can be broken apart and all the fluff used as a good insulator against any cold camping nights that you may have. It retains heat pretty well if not wet. The fluff is also a good tinder in fire making. Catches a spark pretty well if not damp. If you can keep it dry it would be all the better.

Now that you have been distracted by the many useful things of this plant, let's talk about the really good stuff ... eating it. Now don't throw up your nose or you will never know what you are missing. This plant can be a life-saver. The roots or tubers, as well as the lower portions of the stalk, are full of starches and carbohydrates - just what you need for that boost of energy. They can be eaten raw, roasted on a “hot rock” that you put in your campfire, or baked in the hot ash.

The lower part of the stem can be dried and ground into “baking flour” to make bread. Mix in some of the yellow pollen at the top and you have some good eating. The pollen itself is a kind of flour on its own.

So the next time you see a “cattail”, instead of calling it an eyesore or just a weed, think about what some of our ancestors had to do to stay alive. I can bet that “cattail” was one of the easier things to do to keep from dying.

Next Wild Edible Plant - Dandelion

Image courtesy of James L. Reveal and USDA Plants Database at http://www.rook.org