B2B NEWSLETTER
BACK TO BASICS NEWSLETTER
This newsletter is intended to let you know what's new at Back to Basics since the last issue was released in April. So lets find out who the latest guests have been, what projects we've completed, which ones are now on the horizon, the new dates for the 2005 Reunion, and of course the Popcorn Kernel.
The Back To Basics Quarterly Photo
Dennis completes his emergency survival shelter
OUR NEW BACK TO BASIC GUESTS FROM MAY 2004 - JULY 2004
We'd like to introduce some newcomers to Back-to-Basics (B2B). Here are the guests we had from May 2004 - July 2004. Thanks for joining us! We are asking for your photos again if you would like to submit them to the website, please forward them to us at borntobeoutdoors@gmail.com or send by snail mail to Kim Van Evera, 108 Rhinehart Road, Gloversville, NY 12078.
CROW'S NEST GUESTS
Andre & Kerry
Mark & Jorge
Jamie & Brad
Bart & Kate
Karen & Krishna
Peter
Marty
WHITETAIL RUN GUESTS
Unni & Han
Emily & Liz
BEAR NECESSITIES GUESTS
Mark, Caton, Tiffany, Jennifer, Griffith, Andrew
Mike, Jen, Lorraine & Jay
Mike, Michael, Bill & Anthony
Danielle, Amy, James, Jana, Paul & Sol
THE NEW THRU-HIKERS
OUR NEW NLP THRU HIKERS JOURNELS & PHOTOS
Here at B2B we have a warm spot in our hearts and a warm and dry spot in the Bleecker Bunk Lean-to. This space is available free of charge for thru hikers of the NLP.
Kelly, Sean, Mike, & Craig
Congrats to Craig & Michael who completed the 133 miles North!
Kelly & Sean were able to complete the Upper Benson to Piseco stretch - Great Job!
GUIDED TRIPS
Guided trips from this past quarter consisted of Guided Fishing Trip to Powley Road and Lily Lake with Andre and Kerry.
SURVIVAL COURSES
Survival Courses from this past quarter consisted of the final section of Dennis' Basic Survival Course.
HOW THINGS ARE PROGRESSING
We'd like to let you know that Back-to-Basics is a work in progress. We are continuing to work hard to create our dream to share with you, our guests! Here's where we are and where we hope to be in the not too distant future.
OUR GUESTS ASK FOR IT, AND WE HAVE NOW COMPLETED
The 1st Back To Basics reunion took place for our past guests. We would like to thank everyone for a wonderful time, and Bruce for the wonderful music. You can view the photos for the 1st year Reunion under the guest photos page and the new dates for the 2005 Reunion can be located below.
I have also begun a new project: SIGN THE MAIN HOUSE. Our guests now are asked to inscribe the Back To Basics porch prior to their departure, please remind us if we forget to ask.
SUMMER 2004
Tree house is currently under construction and should be complete sometime this month.
FALL 2004
Guided Hunting Trips: We are still working on having the guided hunting trips running by the Fall 2004 season.
WINTER 2004
Ice skating rink should be up and running by the Winter 2004 season. Dan & I have purchased multiple pairs of ice skates for you skating pleasure.
Ice Fishing should be up and running by the end of 2004.
FUTURE
Rock Climbing
Still looking to integrate this plan, we will keep you informed.
Dog Sledding
Still looking, please let us know if someone can supply in our backcountry area.
The Lodge
Still trying to make this happen. We hope it will be coming soon.
Snowmobile Rentals
We are getting a lot of inquiries, but unfortunately still not able to locate someone in the surrounding area.
Free Work Weekend or Week
We are having trouble keeping up with all the Back To Basics chores and projects. We are proposing an idea of having two free stay work weekends during the year. The idea is: work from 7am-noon and the rest of the time is yours. Work would consist of: helping stack wood, construction on projects, trail cutting and upkeep, along with some basic cleaning. Please give us your input regarding this idea; we need your suggestions.
If anyone would like to be added to a mailing list regarding the free work weekends or weeks, please email us at borntobeoutdoors@gmail.com You are not obligated in anyway, but just so we can contact the interested people regarding the days we need help. It's your decision at that point (again accommodations are first come first serve - if people don't mind sharing accommodations, please let us know).
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE WEBSITE
EVENTS SCHEDULE - We have begun to create a local events schedule for the Southern Adirondack area, we will do our best to keep it updated.
B2B REUNION PICTURES - View the 1st year Reunion pictures, if anyone would like to add some captions for any of the photos, please feel free to email them and we will gladly add them to the page.
CRAIG'S NTP THRU-HIKER JOURNAL - Read how Craig's trip along the NTP was.
MIKE'S NTP THRU-HIKER JOURNAL - Mike also wrote a journal about his experience along the Northville-Placid trail.
OUR PET FRIENDLY GUESTS
View our new pet friendly friends
Duncan
Scout
Scarlet
Blu
Ken
NEW THINGS YOUR HOSTS HAVE LEARNED FROM YOU
Andre & Kerry
Building new friendships are an “outstanding” thing!
Donations are not something to get upset about. Andre graciously donated a lot of fishing tackle to Powley Road, and his fishing pole to the fish in West Lake.
Low carb diets are possible in the wilderness, but can be substituted at times with beer and breads. YEAH!!
Whitewater rafting a canoe can be incorporated into a Back To Basic trip, but not to Kim's liking.
Bites are continuous when fishing, but unfortunately, during this trip, they were black fly bites.
Crystal balls are a necessity in life (from me to you Kerry).
Mark & Jorge
A gourmet dinner is possible in the wilderness.
Jamie & Brad
Black flies love kayaking and Jamie.
Bart & Kate
Snakes taste wonderful.
Trees can be climbed without branches.
Staten Island sucks.
Karen & Krishna
Smores are part of the four food groups.
Ringers are possible during a first horseshoe attempt.
Peter
Writers will use anything to write on if paper is not available.
You can enter the twilight zone while canoeing.
Marty
Adirondack Fire Towers are full of history and memories.
Dennis
Emergency Shelters are remarkable when left to the imagination.
Unni & Han
Camping in the wilderness is a wonderful experience.
Tip-ups work excellent for roasting marshmellows.
Emily & Liz
Sisters are important and can be best friends.
Mark, Caton, Tiffany, Jennifer, Griffith, Andrew
Organization of a disorganized group is possible.
More instruction is needed about where the extra blankets and sheets are kept.
Mike, Jen, Lorraine & Jay
Paint water is drinkable and non-toxic.
Bon Bons Rock!
Canoeing done during a downpour results in free beverage offers.
Monkeys have been sighted in Bleecker.
Every camp needs a WELCOME sign!
Mike, Michael, Bill & Anthony
A stop sign is need at the end of Rhinehart Road.
Snakes are able to get out of the bathtub.
Lumber piles need watching as well as cars so they don't disappear.
Danielle, Amy, James, Jana, Paul & Sol
There is more than one Green Lake. HI MOM
First trips to the privy can be a trying experience but easily survived.
Kelly, Sean, Mike, & Craig
Childhood friends remain important.
When film gets wet the pictures get ruined, it goes with feet also.
Road walking Wakely Dam area continues to suck!
Big black animals exist along the trail and usually come through at midnight.
12-packs show up mysteriously in the most unexpected places, but make a great end to a rough day.
NEW BACK TO BASICS REUNION NEWS!
The 2nd Annual B2B Reunion will be held for our previous guests on June 3-6, 2005.
REMEMBER GUYS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE ON ACCOMMODATIONS!
POPCORN'S KERNEL
“During the last quarter newsletter came out, I got to take my first ride in a canoe. During this fishing trip, I also learned it was possible to catch crayfish with my tail (definitely wasn't expecting that).”
“Haven't been able to do a lot of traveling recently, since my owners both wreaked their vehicles this past quarter, hopefully this will change soon.”
“Did get to participate in the 1st year reunion, more attention and food than I knew what to do with - LOVING IT!”
POP
© Back To Basics Adirondack Wilderness Adventures 2004