Oddball, esoteric gear

[brave6]

"Here, here" on tweezers.  Also have found wet wipes a necessity.  And a night-time-so-I-can-sleep-DEEP medicine.  

The oddest thing for me is not 'stuff', but tradition.  The same six guys have been taking a trip to the Bend since Easter of 1997.  This has happened every year except 1998.  In that time we've developed the following 'habits':
-the first dinner we have hamburgers
-the first full day of camping is what we call "Bend Free Day".  This involves being able to go and do what we want.  Or nothing at all.
-the second night's dinner was tacos for a stretch, but last year we started stacked, red chile "Bendchiladas".  I'll take four, topped with a fried egg please.
-the last full day of camping the 6 of us agree on a hike or objective and do this together.  We've rappelled Talley Mntn., done Casa Grande, ascended into the 'bowl' of the Alto Relex for lunch and naps, and I can't remember what else.  Last year we cheated a bit, doing Capote Falls on the last day... not a  exactly a park hike.
-the last night's dinner consists of two fillets and four 1 lb. ribeyes hauled in from Amarillo.  
-the last two night's dinners are followed by dutch oven peach cobbler.
-we're 35 to 36 years old lawyers, teachers, and principals and yet we have a "Camper of the Year" each year.  We make nominations over steak, with reasons why, and then vote the next morning as we break camp.
-nightly trips to the hot spring for cigars... this is done late so as to avoid sharing space.
-last meal... depending on where we exit the Bend we take a last meal together in either Marfa, Marathon, or Fort Stockton before going our separate ways.

[mule ears]

"Here, here" on tweezers.  Also have found wet wipes a necessity.  And a night-time-so-I-can-sleep-DEEP medicine.  

The oddest thing for me is not 'stuff', but tradition.  The same six guys have been taking a trip to the Bend since Easter of 1997.  This has happened every year except 1998.  In that time we've developed the following 'habits':
-the first dinner we have hamburgers
-the first full day of camping is what we call "Bend Free Day".  This involves being able to go and do what we want.  Or nothing at all.
-the second night's dinner was tacos for a stretch, but last year we started stacked, red chile "Bendchiladas".  I'll take four, topped with a fried egg please.
-the last full day of camping the 6 of us agree on a hike or objective and do this together.  We've rappelled Talley Mntn., done Casa Grande, ascended into the 'bowl' of the Alto Relex for lunch and naps, and I can't remember what else.  Last year we cheated a bit, doing Capote Falls on the last day... not a  exactly a park hike.
-the last night's dinner consists of two fillets and four 1 lb. ribeyes hauled in from Amarillo.  
-the last two night's dinners are followed by dutch oven peach cobbler.
-we're 35 to 36 years old lawyers, teachers, and principals and yet we have a "Camper of the Year" each year.  We make nominations over steak, with reasons why, and then vote the next morning as we break camp.
-nightly trips to the hot spring for cigars... this is done late so as to avoid sharing space.
-last meal... depending on where we exit the Bend we take a last meal together in either Marfa, Marathon, or Fort Stockton before going our separate ways.

When are you going next?  I want to camp close enough to "happen by" around dinner time! 

I like the sound of your traditions.

[Alto Relex]

Bendchiladas sounds great...recipe?

[homerboy2u]

Bendchiladas sounds great...recipe?

 You can Post it here , so we won't loose it.....

[mwksrx]

Brave6:   Capote Falls is on private land and not open to the public.  How did you get permission? 

[fartymarty]

I am 57 and a lifetime resident of the Big Bend area.  I ranched for many years and still enjoy visitor's privileges on several large private ranches.

Brave6:Capote Falls is on private land and not open to the public. How did you get permission?

It would seem that you are not the only one with visitor's privileges. Privileges have got to be the best of all esoteric gear.

seek and ye too shall find answer link

I wish I could get me some of those privileges.

[mwksrx]

That's great.  I too am 57, ranched for many years.  Just not in that area.  Nothing like knowing the owners. 

[MacEntyre]

I guess our Prairie Travois hammock stand could be called oddball or esoteric gear... here it is set up at Glenn Spring 2 camp site.

[dkerr24]

Pretty cool hammock setup... did you get the poles there using the cycle? 

[MacEntyre]

...did you get the poles there using the cycle? 

We put them on top of the truck... the bike went on a hitch carrier.

[stingrey]

I carry a retractable tape measure. One of those small ones, like the ones they give out at bank lobbies or automotive shops during promotions or whatever. I keep that on hand to measure "the big one" whenever that time comes when I've seen the biggest snake/spider/creature of whatever sort in the future. Of course I may need to measure after the fact based on careful analysis of the pics I took of said critter, but that is another story.

The other potentially useful things I carry in my pack at all times now would be moleskin, a sturdy bundle of rope, and a $.99 raincoat. The things I often carry but sometimes forget and WISH I didn't forget are Tylenol, an extra power bar, and believe it or not sometimes I even forget to pack a flashlight.

Random things found in my pack depending on where I'm headed may include a small LL Bean remote control activated lantern, laser pointers, and a variety of video and/or camera equipment. Nothing I hate more than seeing something so cool that people don't even believe it. I've gotta be able to document it! :)