interesting youtube on desert camping - Blackrock Mesa

[Moxadox]

We're still trying to figure out how to get the mice and packrats off of the soy-based insulation wiring diet. I didn't much like the packrat in my engine compartment. I think the walk-the-plank device is the best bet.

But for Jack's benefit, I forgot to mention the bats. I'm sure HDR has them wherever he is at this very moment. I've seen them everywhere I've been.

The other half of the mouse story from above is .... The day after I had the mouse in the Jeep, I was camping at another place and sleeping under a low overhanging rock, so I wouldn't get wet again. A short time after getting in the bag, I kept hearing wings beating about 2-feet over head. A bat kept flying back and forth, apparently eating flying bugs that were hanging out under the rock ledge out of the rain.

That day I was down a 4WD road in slickrock country, and hoped the road wouldn't so wet that I'd get stuck in there. It's always something in the back country. Lots of fun in store for you, Jack.

Well now Q, you do have an interesting life.

The Dire Wolfess

 

[Cammalu]

That’s handy... a pet bat to take everywhere with you to keep the insects at bay while you sleep


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[wanderin.pat]

That’s handy... a pet bat to take everywhere with you to keep the insects at bay while you sleep


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If you were to bring Batman, he could fight crime while on the road, as well!  

Regards, 

WP

 

[QinReno]

Mice and bats are no big deal, except when chewing your car wiring. Surely people have had more serious situations with bigger animals.

 

[Jack]

Actually, I have no problem with bats at all. They're fascinating. I once worked for two different companies during my years in Corporate America that had bats get in periodically. I was always the one they called to capture and release them outside. (I used to work with wild animals when I was in my early 20's.)

 

[QinReno]

For full disclosure, when the bat kept flying back and forth 2 feet over my head, I did pull the sleeping bag up over my head, just in case.

All in all, I think the statistics indicate clearly that you're more likely to get killed on the highway (40,000 deaths per year), be shot by an acquaintance (almost as many as highway deaths), or be mugged in a city .... than you will likely be eaten by a grizzly, struck by lightning (except watch out if you're in the Colorado mountains), have a mouse chew on your toes, or have a bat suck your blood in the night.

Oh, did I mention the damn mosquitos? Some are as big as small birds (just kidding in case HDR is listening).

 

[wayne49]

Mothballs. Keeps all sorts of critters from thinking of the dark place under your vehicle and trailer as a nice hangout.
A bag under the hood keeps the mice away from vacuum lines, etc.. Take it out and place in a quart jar before driving.
Walmart sells a box with two bags inside. The two inner bags breathe. Open one up to widely disperse moth balls under the vehicle.

 

[wanderin.pat]

What is there to do when you camp in a dry, barren dessert for a few days?  (Without ATVs, motorcycles, etc.,)  I can see the enjoyment of it for 24, maybe 48 hours, to get some solitude and thoroughly take advantage of seeing the night sky, but what about the daytime? 


I'm not a hot weather person but I don't want to miss out on the desert experience.  That'd be a big mistake. 

I like to work on my tan.... My skin is about the consistency of leather now.  

Also, you can play "whack-a-mole" with prairie dogs.  But they're pretty quick.  You also can only use a foam mallet.  If you hurt one, you're disqualified. 

You can play hide-and-seek with the coyotes at night.  I don't recommend it , though.  But it can get really exciting.