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| Winner Announced! |
We have chosen a winner in the contest to have your name/story used in the first book of the Journeys Of The Crew series, The Adventure Begins!
Congratulations to out FB page follower Nick who entered the contest with three days to go and with this post:
** Here is a text version of the winning story:
I've learned a lesson about properly storing food while hiking in Havasu Falls. I went with a group of friends including my lovely wife and my ever adventurous and outdoor enthusiast brother.
After hiking in we set up camp. From that point all we wanted to do was get into that beautiful blue water !
And we did! We left camp behind for the cool falls and I remember it being more beautiful and satisfying that I ever imagined. A hidden oasis, spectacular in every way.
Upon return of camp, we noticed something had gone through our backpacks. Sure, we left in a slight rush, and stored our packs on the picnic table; we did remember to zip the tent before we left.
And It wasn't like the contents were scattered all about the site, but rather food sacks had been chewed through , and a significant amount of food was missing, trail mix and granola bars, jerky...but what did it!?
We were just going to be gone for a few hours and it's still mid day. What could happen, right?
My wife thought she noticed a rock squirrel leaving the scene upon our arrival and from there it didn't take us long to realize who had been enjoying themselves while we were away.
These squirrels had chewed through our packs, and ran off with what they could. I think they sat inside the pack and dined there. But that's not all folks! The squirrels had even chewed through my tent in search for some of the food I so ingeniously stored there!
These squirrels were professional.
Come to find not only had the squirrels put a hit on my wife and me, but the others as well.
Anytime we left camp, the stakeout and takeout began. People were getting robbed left and right.
People returned from a long hike ransacked. The scary part is, it didn't just happen while we were away.
In the evening, while at camp, sitting by our fires or lounging in hammocks, claims of food heists by crafty hungry ninja squirrels were being made - making it obvious that a) these squirrels have mastered their craft and love hiking season and b) were not going to stop whether day, night, or we were absent or present.
I had lost a significant amount of my snacks to these critters and ultimately ended up borrowing some food from my brother and my wife. I think out of everyone I lost the most food.
I guess it could have been worse; these squirrels could have taken me for all I had and if I were alone with no one to bum from, I might've been left very hungry.
I remember we ultimately wrapped our food containers in tarps, atop of picnic tables placed in the middle of swift moving streams, as well as hung our packs and food up high in the trees.
Remember, not just bears will get your food, but lots of other critters might be interested (even birds) and storing food properly at camp and even on the trail is paramount.
#Journeysofthecrew
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