Survival

Well, Andrew and I really enjoy watching "Man vs. Wild" on the Discovery channel, in fact, that is mostly what we do on Friday nights after Clancy has gone to sleep. This usually ends in one of us sleeping while the other stays up until the wee hours of the night watching several episodes to see what crazy things Bear Grylls (the man in "Man vs. Wild") will eat! Let's just say it is the best in vicarious living. I have always wanted to explore and discover things in the jungle, but I think my fear of spiders and snakes (and everything else that bites and stings) makes that nearly impossible.

While Andrew, Clancy, and I drove back from Oregon, we made a list of some interesting things that we have learned from Bear Grylls. If there are any other fans out there, please add your own lessons learned to ours:

1. In order to figure out how long until sunset, place your hand and fingers (fingers together) parallel to the horizon with your pinky finger right on the edge of the horizon. For each finger between the horizon and the sun, you have 15 minutes. I think it is pretty accurate. We kept trying it in Oregon, but then forgot to check the exact time of sunset.
2. You can make a compass by using a piece of magnetized metal that is suspended. Bear did this by placing a piece of wire (that he magnetized using his hair) on a leave in a pothole with water in it. The metal caused the leaf to turn in the water so he could find a north-south direction in which to travel.
3. If you have diarrhea or stomach problems, which you would probably have a lot if you went everywhere Bear goes, you can help to cure this by placing some charcoal (fire remains) in some sort of cloth pocket and drinking water that you pour through the pocket. I guess this adds some charcoal to the water and that absorbs some of the problem-causing culprits. Bear added that he has used a sock and underwear for this purpose, so be creative!
4. If you are in the desert and are concerned about heat exhaustion, you should urinate on some cloth (in his case his shirt) and then wrap around your head. This will keep your head cool.
5. If you are in a frozen wasteland, like Siberia, and you need to get down a mountain, you can make a tobogan (sled) out of an animal carcass. You just place some sticks in the hollowed out carcass to stretch it out so the bottom will be somewhat flat and you can fit inside, then place it in the snow and wait for it to freeze solid. He kept moving while wating, which is probably a good idea unless you want to become a tobogan too!
6. If you happen upon a dead camel and need a place to sleep, you can sleep inside the carcass because it will keep you warm.
7. To catch fish without a pole or net, remove your pants and tie the legs shut. tie a branch around the waist hole to keep the waist open and to attach a handle for yourself, and place the waist upstream of the legs. The fish will swim right into your pants and then bon appetite!
8. Always build a fire in order to keep predators away, boost your morale, and keep yourself warm
9. Streams and rivers usually lead to civilization, so follow the river.
10. Make sure to cut off the scorpions stinger before eating it (be prepared--it tastes like cheese that has been sitting out for weeks).

Happy Fathers Day to all the guys! I don't expect to see my own dad eating scorpions anytime soon, but I'd have to say that he is ingenious and innovative and pretty equipped to survive in the wild!