BOOK REVIEW - FOR A COLD NIGHT IN FRONT OF THE FIREPLACE
by Julie Robberson

The Complete Book of Fire: Building Campfires for Warmth, Light, Cooking, and Survival, by Buck Tilton, Menasha Ridge Press, 2005, 104 pp., $12.95.

http://www.menasharidge.com/fire.htm

"What an odd little subject this little book has." That was what I said to myself when I saw this book in the latest shipment from our friends at Menasha Ridge Press in Birmingham. In fact, this little book is a little gem.

Author Buck Tilton is not a pyromaniac; he is a regular contributor to Backpacker magazine. His writing makes me smell campfires and long for the woods.

This book is delightful reading for a winter evening at home, but it is also very practical guide for outdoor skills, including every aspect of how to build a fire for each purpose. It covers everything from how to build a signal fire when you need to be rescued from the wilderness, to a few recipes to cook on your campfire; from controlling wildfire to treating burned human skin. Of equal importance, the book devotes a chapter to when and why you should not build a fire (to avoid damaging your surroundings), how to build a minimum-impact fire, and how to put the dang thing out so you don't burn down the woods.

My favorite thing about the book, however, is thinking about all those smart alecks with whom I've built and sat around campfires, who think they know everything in the world about building a campfire. After reading this book, you'll definitely know more than they do. That's not to say you'll succeed in shutting them up, but you may be able to keep them from setting you or the woods on fire. And you can feel secure in your certainty that you know more than they do.

NOTICE - DAUPHIN ISLAND OVERNIGHT TRIP TOMORROW IS CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER

UPDATE - Information for Nov. 13th Full Moon Paddle

Please review the November Calendar below for more details on the MBCAKC's 5th Anniversary Full Moon Paddle into Bay Minette Basin.

November Club Calendar

Econfina Creek
Dates: Friday, Nov. 4 - Monday, Nov. 7, 2005
Time: Open for us at 2:00 PM on Friday and check-out by 10:00 AM on Monday
Place: Blue Spring Campground, North West Florida Water Management District
Directions from Mobile: Go east on I-10 to Hwy 81 in Florida, about 2 hours. Go south to Hwy 20 at Bruce and turn left (East). Go past Hwy 79 and a few miles past Hwy 77, you will come to Econfina Creek and there will be Pitt Springs on your left. Continue a short distance (maybe a mile) and Blue Springs Rd. North will be on your left. DO NOT GO RIGHT ON BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH. Take a left on Blue Springs Rd. North and go about a mile. Ignore the private signs and drive carefully as the road winds alot. ON YOUR LEFT will be two gates. The second gate is for us. The lock combination is 9337.
What to bring: bring your own food, water and please bring firewood. Saturday night will be a potluck dinner. NWFMWD does not want to “SEE” alcoholic beverages, so be discrete. Bring your own tent or van camp. We are not supposed to bring rv’s. This site will hold 25 campers and no limit on paddlers. We will be camped near our own set of springs. Tom and I will be setting up a sweat lodge for the big feast/celebration on Saturday. Bring musical instruments. Bring your canoes & kayaks. Bring wet suits and snorkeling gear, if you plan to explore the springs the closeup way.
Contacts & phone numbers: Gary Worob: gworob@yahoo.com or 850-259-9337 cell, Bob Andrews: 251-367-4144

Fall Paddle & Potluck Dinner
Date: Saturday, November 12, 2005
Time: Paddle: 2:00 PM, Dinner: 6:00 PM
Place: Fowl River, Mobile, AL
Contact: Marilyn Craig - Home 973-0129, Cell 605-6453 or marilyncraig@hotmail.com
Comments: Marilyn Craig has graciously agreed to host our Fall Club Party at her house on Fowl River just down from the marina. She has a good put-in and plenty of parking space. Marilyn is fixing chili for us, so call her to let her know how many are coming and to find out what we will all need to bring for "potluck" to round out the meal.
Directions to Marilyn's house will be sent to club members via e-mail. If you would like directions to Marilyn's house, please e-mail Brint at brint.adams@us.army.mil.

Full Moon Paddle - Bay Minette Basin - 5 Year Anniversary
Date: Sunday, November 13, 2005
Time: 3:30 PM
Place: Buzbee's on Hwy 225, go 2 mi. north of Hwy 31 from Bruno's in Spanish Fort
Contact: Bob Andrews 251-367-4144
Comments: Easy paddle from Buzbee's for about 3 hours to see sunset and moon rise and then those inclined will retire for dinner at Beach House Grill on the Causeway. This is the 5 year anniversary of the first MBCAKC group paddle which also took place at Buzbee's.

Dauphin Island - West end camping trip CANCELLED-WEATHER
Date: Saturday, November 19-20, 2005
Time: 10:00 AM
Place: west end of Dauphin Island
Contact: Brint Adams 251-583-9919
Comments: We will park in a friend's driveway out near the west end of residential area and paddle out to the far west end of the island for a night of fine dining, campfire and camping. Bring plenty of food,water and camping gear to be prepared for all weather conditions. We will return Sunday morning arriving at the take-out by early afternoon. Each paddle leg will be about nine miles.

Byrnes Lake to Causeway - One Way Downriver
Date: Sunday, December 4, 2005
Time: 9:00 AM
Place: Meet at Bruno's in Spanish Fort, AL on Hwy 225 & Hwy 31 or go directly to Byrnes Lake County Park
Contact: Brint Adams 251-583-9919
Comments: We will paddle out to the Tensaw, go downriver to Blakeley State Park, over to Mudhole Creek to Little Bateau Bay to Conway Creek to Chacaloochee Bay and end up at Riverdocs. We will have a shuttle to take paddlers back to Byrnes Lake to retrieve vehicles. Bring lunch, fluids and the usual gear for a wonderful day paddle down through the lower delta.

TWO EVENTS TO HONOR AND REMEMBER LARRY AND ANN MCDUFF

Dedication of the "McDuff Trail"
Thursday, November 10 at 1:00 PM
Ceremony will take place at Adams & Main Streets to dedicate a two-mile section of the bike and walking trail in Montrose. Come wearing club t-shirts and/or hats


Family & Friends gather to eat, drink and reminisce
Friday, November 11 at 5:30 PM
What: a pot luck dinner tribute to Larry and Ann McDuff with the McDuff family in attendance.
Who: friends of Larry and Ann from the kayak club are invited to attend and if they can bring a Larry and/or Ann story to share, or typed or written to give to the family, that would be great.
Contact: Charlene Lee 928-0366
Location: Robert & Charlene Lee's home at: 60 Morphy Ave., Fairhope, AL

FLASH - MCDUFF TRAIL WALK TODAY AT 11:30 AM

Teko Wiseman announced a group will meet at the St. James Episcopal Church on the corner of Section Street and Scenic 98 in Fairhope at 11:30 AM today, to walk the length of the McDuff Trail before the 1:00 PM dedication. Everyone is welcome to show up and join in the walk.

FALL CLUB PADDLE & POTLUCK DINNER THIS SATURDAY - 11/12/05

Remember to call or email Marilyn with your RSVP so she will know how much chili to make and give suggestions for what else to bring. For more details and Marilyn's numbers, scan down to the November Club Calendar.

If you need directions to Marilyn's, call to ask her or send an email request to brint.adams@us.army.mil.