For two years my friend Brenda and I have been trying to find a time where we were both available to take REI’s “Wilderness Essentials Training”. For TWO YEARS we could not get our schedules to cooperate! Finally on an absolutely beautiful fall day last week, we found ourselves in Champoeg State Park embarking on number 33. It was a relatively small group of 7 students and 2 instructors, and lots of information crammed into 5 hours. We started with talking about the 10-ish essentials that you should have with you whenever you head out into the wilderness, and yes, this does include those close-in hikes because you just never know! I tend to think that I’ve got a pretty well prepared backpack; it certainly feels like I’m carrying more stuff than necessary many times. However, I think I figured out that I only had about 3 of the 10 items :-/ Next up, was knot tying. Hmmm, let’s just say that neither Brenda nor I will be recruited to be in charge of knots for anything anytime soon. We never could figure out which way the rabbit should go back in the hole! Our theory is that we can tie a knot well enough for our purposes. Of course then they tested us on the knots by having us set up a tent that could withstand hurricane strength winds. (Being the only person in the group that has actually experienced hurricane force winds, I figured it was a futile attempt!) Regardless, I did learn how I should use those ropes that come with your tent that I’ve always just left in the bag :) Finally, after going over the various options for backpacking camp stoves, we got to the good stuff…FIRE! We got a chance to practice starting a fire with stone and flint. Another trick learned, carry cotton balls covered with petroleum jelly….makes a fantastic fire starter. It’s a lot harder just using dry brush! We finished up the class with some simple techniques for using compasses, and how to distinguish True North from Magnetic North. All in all, it was a great class and I would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to embark on backpacking trips. Even Brenda who has done extensive Backpacking learned a few things! After the class, since we were so close, we decided to head over to Dundee to partake in some wine tasting. We wanted a tasting room with a view and headed to Torii Mor, which is down a gravel road and up a hill. They have a beautiful view and a lovely Japanese garden. (And a delicious Port!) We even walked among the grapevines and tasted a few. The 2015 varietals are going to be amazing! Our second tasting was at Dobbes, home of one of the best wines I’ve ever had. Every single one of their tastings was delicious! After all that wine, we needed food and had been given two strong recommendations for Dundee Bistro and they were not wrong. The Butternut squash bisque was bowl licking good! It was a wonderful day for the Wander Women! And a great way to check one more thing off the list.
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