I loaded up my campfire poker two days ahead of time for our semi-annual fishing trip, because I did not want to forget it. This is our first trip of the year, so I'm very excited about it. When packing for a trip in haste, something is usually forgotten and I will not forget to pack my wrought iron campfire poker.
It is believed there are two categories of campers…those who travel light by packing minimal supplies and few necessities…just enough stuff to get by. The other category packs up everything they might need or want or feel they should have including the kitchen sink. Oh, wait…they make portable sinks now, just for camping. (So I heard)
The category I fall into is in between the two. Haven't got a name for it, but I like to travel light, with a couple of exceptions…my wrought iron campfire poker and a lighter. Why?
Last year, as an example, my fishing buddy Herb, decided it would be too warm that weekend to have a campfire. He packed up his camp stove and said we could cook our meals on it…he even had all the pots and pans. What Herb did not pack was the fuel for the stove. He forgot, and there we were in the middle of the woods…very hungry with a great stove that we could not use.
Herb tried to make up for the blunder as I watched him scurry about, gathering sticks and leaves…fuel for the fire. Talk about frantic haste. He was a little upset when asking me for my lighter as I stood there with a crooked grin on my face.
Some of the gatherings Herb collected were slightly damp and as he attempted to light this little pile of what would be our campfire for the weekend, Herb got down on all fours, getting his face in close and blew on the sparks to help with ignition.
Well, wouldn't you know, the breeze shifted just then and Herb ended up with soot and sparks in his hair, eyes and in all probability up his nose. I told him this is enough and to simmer down. I had also pack some kindling.
Yes, I had taken my campfire poker along on that trip. It came in very handy in maintaining the campfire that we ended up cooking on.
Actually, we used the campfire poker all weekend, keeping the campfire stoked, to keep warm, because the weatherman changed his forecast. A four-day cold snap had encroached from the North. But the fishing was great.
I would not go on any camping trip without my wrought iron campfire poker. I could tell more stories about why, but the end result comes up the same. Plainly spoken, it is just a great tool to have.
The campfire is the heart of the campsite…used for light, warmth, cooking and conversation. It should at all times be maintained properly…and safely. How can you safely move burning wood and embers by using an old wooden stick or kicking the fire with your shoes?
Get yourself a good campfire poker that will do the job you intended and always take it with you on every camping trip. Oh, and remember the lighter too.
It is believed there are two categories of campers…those who travel light by packing minimal supplies and few necessities…just enough stuff to get by. The other category packs up everything they might need or want or feel they should have including the kitchen sink. Oh, wait…they make portable sinks now, just for camping. (So I heard)
The category I fall into is in between the two. Haven't got a name for it, but I like to travel light, with a couple of exceptions…my wrought iron campfire poker and a lighter. Why?
Last year, as an example, my fishing buddy Herb, decided it would be too warm that weekend to have a campfire. He packed up his camp stove and said we could cook our meals on it…he even had all the pots and pans. What Herb did not pack was the fuel for the stove. He forgot, and there we were in the middle of the woods…very hungry with a great stove that we could not use.
Herb tried to make up for the blunder as I watched him scurry about, gathering sticks and leaves…fuel for the fire. Talk about frantic haste. He was a little upset when asking me for my lighter as I stood there with a crooked grin on my face.
Some of the gatherings Herb collected were slightly damp and as he attempted to light this little pile of what would be our campfire for the weekend, Herb got down on all fours, getting his face in close and blew on the sparks to help with ignition.
Well, wouldn't you know, the breeze shifted just then and Herb ended up with soot and sparks in his hair, eyes and in all probability up his nose. I told him this is enough and to simmer down. I had also pack some kindling.
Yes, I had taken my campfire poker along on that trip. It came in very handy in maintaining the campfire that we ended up cooking on.
Actually, we used the campfire poker all weekend, keeping the campfire stoked, to keep warm, because the weatherman changed his forecast. A four-day cold snap had encroached from the North. But the fishing was great.
I would not go on any camping trip without my wrought iron campfire poker. I could tell more stories about why, but the end result comes up the same. Plainly spoken, it is just a great tool to have.
The campfire is the heart of the campsite…used for light, warmth, cooking and conversation. It should at all times be maintained properly…and safely. How can you safely move burning wood and embers by using an old wooden stick or kicking the fire with your shoes?
Get yourself a good campfire poker that will do the job you intended and always take it with you on every camping trip. Oh, and remember the lighter too.