ESLife

Top 7 Most Unique National Parks

7. Yosemite National Park

California

Best known for its magnificent waterfalls, Yosemite National Park is a shrine for beauty, including deep, rolling valleys, granite and glaciers, and so much more! This vast wilderness is home to grand meadows and vast, ancient sequoias where 7 present-day tribes place their history and roots.

 

Yosemite offers an incredible variety of things to do including national park norms like biking, hiking, fishing, etc. as well as things unique to the park itself! Try water or winter sports depending on what time of year you’re visiting! There is also extensive bird watching and rock climbing like no other. Learn more about this classic attraction here and remember to get outdoors!

6. Arches National Park

Utah

Arches National Park is a unique dreamlike setting that is a sunset colored sea of mystical sandstone arches; true to its name in every way. These sand deposit left over from ancient, evaporated salt seas create a picture perfect dream setting. Camp under the darkest of desert night skies or discover amazing views of shapes and sizes on 20 miles worth of winding trails that will challenge even the most experienced of hikers. Take a peak at more details of this wonderland here.

There is nothing else like these incredible statues that paint the Utah desert red with cool shapes and sizes; they are truly unlike anything you've ever seen before!

5. St. Croix Island International Historic Site

Maine

Take a short ride from Acadia National Park along Maine’s coastal route one down east to a small site that carries a big history. Before Jamestown AND Plymouth Rock, this area of St. Croix Island housed a new French presence, a colony that like many others, almost didn’t make it. Sharing a border with Canada, this small and sacred island is nestled in the middle of the St. Croix River. So pack a lunch & grab your binoculars for a hike through history! This fragile reveal of the past is must-see.

4.  Katmai National Park and Preserve

Alaska

 

This valley, created by the largest volcanic eruption of the 21^st century, sits on the Alaska’s northern peninsula where brown bears quite literally out number people. A place where salmon are pink and plentiful, fishing with one of nature’s fiercest predators isn’t out of the question.

 

Katmai is unlike any other national park and although this remote spot is difficult to get to, seeing as you must travel almost exclusively by boat or plane, it is definitely worth it for some of the best opportunities the natural world has to offer! Take a 45- minute Culture Walk with a native ranger, fish for rainbow trout over 30 inches in length, or if danger is more your style, you’re welcome to try bear wrestling… but our money’s on the bear! Visit the website for more details on the adventure of a lifetime… or watch a live stream of Brooks Fall’s bear cam here and watch the bears in their natural habitat.

3. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Montana, Wyoming

If you’ve never heard of Bighorn Canyon, you’re missin’ out! This national gem is cliff-encased lake just waiting to be discovered! Named after the bighorn sheep that make it their home, this can’t-beat sensation entertains a 71-mile long lake, huge mountains with 1,000 to 2,500 foot cliffs, Peregrine falcons, wild horses, and so much more (if that’s possible)!

 

The amazing waters and stories of those who have explored and settled on Bighorn River is what drives people to visit this creation of Yellowtail Dam. The ranches, fourteen different hiking trails, and over all archaeology of Bighorn Canyon is an inspiring awe just waiting to soak you in wonders! If you don’t believe us, check it out for yourself on their website.

 

 2. Chaco Culture National Historic Park

New Mexico

Don’t be discouraged by the rough terrain and beyond difficult access to Chaco Canyon, the adventure is worth it (& we’re not talkin’ about the shoes)! This World Heritage site is full of amazing history dating back even before Columbus sailed the ocean blue… you know, in 1492. The “Chaco” civilization left behind hundreds of sandstone buildings, impressive for their time & most definitely a must-see!

Today, visitors are able to travel back in time and immerse themselves in American history with guided walks or self-tours. Prepare to be amazed by the many backcountry trails or camp under the most unimaginably dark New Mexico night skies. Trust, this will definitely be one of your best ideas.

 

1. Great Smokey Mountains National Park

North Carolina, Tennessee

This famous landmark is number one on our list for a reason! A blanket of forest nestled in between the North Carolina and Tennessee border is home to magnificent wildlife, full of diversity. Not only is the wonder of the world America’s most visited National Park, it is home to the most ancient Southern Appalachian mountain culture.

The Smokies are great for camping, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking and so much more, with marvelous trails and pavilions; not to mention, the views! The best part, it never closes! Feel free to visit 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for FREE. Visit the website to find out more about this national treasure!

Some of our favorite destinations within the park include (but not limited to) Cades Cove, Cataloochee, Clingmans Dome, and Roaring Forks. Meanwhile the most popular activities are things like auto touring, bicycling, fishing, backpacking, waterfall walks, etc.

Blaze Your Own Trail

When you first set out, be sure to grab some essentials for the trail... like a good sharp machete to clear your path.

If you are fishing on your journey, carry a sharp fishing knife. You'll want to fillet the fish with some great knives.

 
An Adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered. -Chesterton quote

If you will be camping on your adventure, be sure to have the tools and supplies you'll need at the camp site. Hobo stove is lightweight and can help lighten the load for backpackers- plus we have a lot of blog posts filled with camping tips. An axe is a smart thing to have handy, as well as a good pocket knife.

 
| Live a life of Passion & Adventure |

 
| I need nature and wilderness far more than it needs me. | Preserve | Respect | Honor | Care for |

 
Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. - Teddy Roosevelt

Hopefully you are now inspired to fill an awesome pack with all the essentials you need for an adventure and trek out alone or with friends.  Nature has so much to offer and you will only discover it when you choose the hardest part, taking the first step out your door.

Mothers Day - Moms are Tough

Hunting and Fishing is the Life for Me

#GetOutdoors with Extremely-Sharp.

Hunting and Fishing is the life for me and always will be. There is something about being in nature that I think speaks to our soul in a way that nothing else can.  I've heard it said that the human spirit needs time in land that is untouched by man and I know that for me that is true.

These photographs are for any of you who love to GET OUTDOORS. That is the message of the Extremely-sharp life...#GetOutdoors.

My goal in life is to be the kind of person my dog thinks that I am.

Check out our Camping and Survival gear.

Some Anglers just have too much time on their hands...

Aromatherapy for hunters.

Teddy Roosevelt quote - No, I'm not a good shot, but I shoot often.

Teddy Roosevelt's thoughts on gun control. [smile]

Do what you love, love what you do.

I can not look at this photo without a touch of jealousy, wanting to be there fishing. What is it about fishing that brings so much peace? It's like yoga, but you get to kill something.

One of the worlds greatest mailboxes.

How often do you think this house gets robbed?  | Self defense items for protection

Would you take this shot? Hunting while standing on a horse

There is range hunting...and then there is standing on a horse range hunting. Could you do it?

Got horsepower? This fishing boat is awesome.

Oh hi, is this your boat?  I brought beer, can we be friends?   | Fillet knives

This right here is why we love our hunting dogs. They love to fish and hunt as much as we do

If you love camping, hiking, fishing, hunting... just exploring the great outdoors - we would love for you to visit our family owned and operated website and get some gear for while you are out on your adventure.  Extremely-sharp.com is an e-commerce website out of Alabama that was started by two brothers who have a love of the outdoors and sharp objects. If you want to support small American businesses, shop our website. Our prices are low and you'll be supporting family owned business.

Get Outdoors And Have An Adventure

We hope all of you have entered our #GetOutdoors giveaway. If you haven't entered yet, go here: Everyone on our email newsletter is automatically entered into every giveaway we do (and we have a lot!) So be sure you are on the email list!

We love this quote. "Everything you've ever wanted is on the other side of fear." -George Addair

It encompasses the Extremely-Sharp "GET OUTDOOR" spirit. Adventure awaits all of us and it isn't usually inside the safety of the walls we build. So grab some outdoor gear and trek into the great wilderness out there.

"You've got a sword and a destiny. That's more than most people get." -Alethea Kontis, Hero.

Follow the great destiny that you've been given!  We encourage you to GET OUTDOORS! Armed with one of our awesome hunting knives or at least a machete. You can explore the world.

There is so much of the world to discover. This photo was taken from inside of a tree in the pacific northwest.  This region has giant trees and beautiful forests to explore. This tree is in the Hoh National Forest - a rainforest in Washington state. Wouldn't you like to be bold enough to climb inside a dark hollow tree hole?  

This graphic was created to encourage you to GET OUTDOORS and go for more hikes. Our Extremely-Sharp Life gets dulled the more time we spend indoors, so grab your best hiking shoes and head out! There are often plenty of local trails to check out, but don't forget to plan some big trips too. We have plenty of recommendations on this blog for places to visit. Be sure to take your pocket knife or multi-tool with you.

The name "Extremely-Sharp" did not happen on accident. It happened after people kept using the phrase when describing our knives, ninja throwing stars, and swords. The name has stuck ever since. When you are facing an opponent like this alligator on an outdoor adventure, you don't want to just feel "Lucky" - you want to know that the knife you carry will hold up and will help you in whatever situation you've gotten yourself in. So, get outdoors with ESknives.com and find your next adventure.

How to Use The Backpacking Hobo Stove Great Survival Tool

In the last article I explained how to make a hobo backpacking stove and now in this posting it seems appropriate to explain the why.

There are many different types of stoves to take with you to the back country. There are some very expensive and fancy stoves out there.   If money is an issue, there are some inexpensive stoves. There are many different types of fuels that can be chosen. White gas, butane, esbit,  and wood are just a few. The problem with many of your stoves is the weight. Most weigh over a pound and then you have your fuel. The more days you are out the more fuel you have to carry.

The wood stoves on the market are rather heavy but there is no fuel to carry. Esbit stoves are light weight but there is fuel that has to be carried. Esbit tablets don't weigh much but when you are trying to shave off pounds from your pack ounces count. For every 16 ounces you can shave off you have dropped the weight of your pack by a pound. In your living room a pound does not seem like much. After several days and 15 miles a day on the trail, each added pound becomes a burden.

Being an ultra lite backpacker, I am always trying to find ways to shave off ounces. The backpackers kitchen is a great place to focus on unneeded weight. I wanted to be able to get my whole kitchen, which means, stove, pot, tinder, fire starter and other cooking supplies, down to 16 ounces. To do that I would have to give up carrying fuel.

I have always been intrigued by hobo stoves. They are usually made with coffee cans and coffee cans are to large and to heavy to carry in the woods. Besides metal coffee cans are hard to find now a days. What I needed was a hobo design but smaller.

My son and I began to measure cans.  I am sure we looked a little funny at the local grocery store measuring cans.   We first measured soup cans.  We could of made a soup can work but it was smaller than we wanted and our pots would not fit inside a soup can.  After looking at many cans we decided on the classic V-8 can.  The V-8 can was workable, had a good weight and our pots would fit in the can, taking little space in the pack.

After we built the stove we had to try it out.  First we put our kitchen together and it fit in the pot tight. The stove and kitchen weighed in at 14 ounces. We beat our goal by 2 ounces.  The only thing left was to try it out.

We got some simple tinder, cotton balls, and some small sticks.  We started the cotton balls with our fire starter and started feeding sticks into the flames.  It was a great success, better than I imagined.  We had three cups of water boiling in 7 minutes. That is a lot of water to boil in a small amount of time. 

We have now taken our stove out several times to the woods.  Our stove has served us well, made some fantastic meals and hot beverages. The great thing about this stove is that you can find fuel that burns almost every where. You can take this stove on the mountain, on the plains, in the desert or even on the beach.  I have been on the tundra and on the tundra burning materials can be harder to find.  Materials can be found but you may want to carry fuel when backpacking on the tundra. 

Here is our video showing the hobo stove at work.

Roughin' It With Bannock

If you are going to be out in the woods for a long time, you may want to consider taking Bannock with you. 

Bannock is a quick biscuit–type bread used through out the world. Bannock is a small flat  loaf of bread. Modern Bannock usually has a  leavening agent. There are many different  types of Bannock with different names.   Bannock recipes are simple and designed to be cooked on a campfire. Bannock is great in the woods, warm, light  and filling. It is like manna from heaven.  Add some honey and you will never want to be without it. 

Bannock is Gaelic in origin. There are reports of soldiers eating Bannock on Hadrian's Wall over 1000 years ago. Bannock was primarily in Ireland, Scotland and Northern England till the 1500's. Eventfully Bannock arrived in the new world and was quickly adopted by Native Americans through out North America. Native Americans call their Bannock Fry Bread. But honestly, the controversy rages on whether Europeans brought Bannock to the New World or did they they had fry bread in the Americas long before Europeans arrived. We may not have the answer to that question but we do know that it is common thought that Bannock was favored by nomadic tribes because the dry mixture stayed fresh for long periods. They would add the fat or oil at cooking time.

Bannock is a versatile, quick, great tasting bread. Originally  bannocks were heavy, flat cakes of unleavened barley or oatmeal dough formed into a round or oval shape and cooked on griddles or hot stones. Now a days Bannock ingredients have been modernized, which includes adding a leavening agent, producing a lighter fluffier dough. You can include extras to make your bread interesting such as raisins, currents, blueberries, cinnamon or cheese if desired.

Every outdoors-men should know how to make this bread that sustained hungry voyageurs, settlers, and First Nations peoples alike in the early days of our country. Bannock, also known as fry bread, skaan, scone or Indian bread, is found throughout North American tribes, including the Inuit of the north and down south to the Navaho of Arizona.

Bannock can be fried, baked or cooked around a stick over hot coals. You can also drop spoonfuls of batter in a stew, producing something like dumplings. But most things just taste better cooked over an open fire or that perfect bed of coals and Bannock is one of them.

The best Bannock to me is carefully winding it around a stick, cooking it in an open fire, buttering it and just eating it. If you want a little more, cover your bannock with jelly, honey or syrup. Wrap your bannock over an impaled polish sausage or hotdog. To cook your Bannock on a stick dust your hands with flour, spoon up a handful of batter, and use your hands to pat it flat and shaping it onto stick. Make sure your edges are well pushed into each other so your bannock won't separate while baking.  Cook your bannock 7-10 minutes over coals until golden brown. Rotate continually for even baking and prevent burning.

Frying bannock in a cast iron pan is a great way to enjoy this bread. Put a few heaping tablespoonfuls of batter in a hot greased frying pan. Cook much like a pancake, do not use to much oil.  After it has cooked for a few minutes lift the edge with a spatula to keep it from burning.  Flip your bannock when the bottom is golden.  Remove from heat once both sides are browned and cooked.

Bannock Recipe

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 6 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/3 cup lard
• 2 eggs, optional
• 1 cup water or more

Combine the first four ingredients. Add the lard slowly, rubbing it in to form fine crumbs. Combine the eggs with water and add to the flour mixture.   If you are not using eggs just add your water.  Stir your mixture to form a soft dough, and knead briefly.

If using a frying pan to bake, grease the pan then dust with flour. Place about a quarter of the dough in the pan and heat. Bake until the bottom is lightly brown, then flip. Bake about 10 minutes on the opposite side. Bake remaining dough in similar fashion.

If baking in oven, pat down into greased pie plate. Bake in 400 degree oven for about twenty minutes, or until cooked in the middle.  Don't forget you can fry your dough in oil or slap it on a stick.

You can add raisins, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, or whatever you like for a dessert bannock. Bacon bits, diced Spam, dried or fresh herbs, or cheese make a savory bannock.

However you decide to make your bannock it is a great addition to any survival situation, camping trip or some home cooked bread for dinner.

Surviving With Candles

I am constantly looking for simple survival tools.

There is a simple survival tool available to us all.  Candles….

Candles are the perfect survival tools.  Every good emergency kit and bug out bag should include some emergency candles. Candles are used for everything from lighting a room to providing extra heat in an emergency.

Fans of classic survival books will remember the time  it was encouraged to carry around a candle nub for survival purposes. I have been around backpackers all my life.  Some of those old backpackers I knew would not go in the woods without their candle. It seems that many people don’t think about the candle much anymore.

Candles are great for providing you with hours of light. In non-windy conditions, a candle can light your way and give you enough light to work. If it is windy, you can rig a wind screen by cutting a piece off an aluminum can or putting the candle inside a clear glass container.  Now a days you can go to any outdoor store and buy a candle lantern.  They are much lighter than the standard battery lamp.

Copper Candle Lantern

Let's talk about Cooking. A good candle can actually provide enough heat to cook or boil a small amount of water. You won't be able to use your candle nub to grill up a steak,  but with a candle nub you can generate enough heat to warm up tea, coffee, soups along with many other types of food and drink. Just find a couple bricks or rocks to make a stand that supports your cook pot. Place the nub under the pot, light it you have dinner. We all know it gets cold in the winter. If you find yourself out in the winter an emergency a candle in your tent will provides some nice  extra warmth. It is surprising how much a candle can heat up a small tent. Now that we are mentioning tents,  Candle wax works good in the field for seam sealing those pesky leaks that spring up. Lighting Fires in the woods can be hard. It’s a lot easier, and safer to use a candle to light your fires than it is to hold a lighter or match.  Light a candle and drip some wax on your tinder or kindling.  Light the fire with the candle’s open flame. If you have extra candles you can build the fire around the candle, light your candle and your fire will start with ease.

Wax prevents rust.  You can coat your knives, tools and other equipment with candle wax to prevent them from rusting. A thin coat works well and you can renew it as often as needed. Wax also works as a decent lubricant, just rub your candle. You can even use a thin coat of wax on a hat for waterproofing.  The wax won't completely water proof a hat  but it will certainly make it water resistant.When using a bow drill place a small flake of wax into the bearing block of a bow drill.  As you work your drill it will melt the wax and become slippery. This frees up the top of the drill and focuses the friction at the bottom of the drill.

If there is a serious emergency out in the field, candle wax can be used as an adhesive on cuts and wounds much like stitches.

I have never tried this but I have heard that people warm up some wax and mold it around a fish hook that creates a false grub or maggot.

Bottom line is that things seem to be  getting tougher. Emergency candles are long lasting,  provide safe emergency lighting and are easy to store in survival kits. Power outages are a much more common occurrence than they used to be. Power Outages can occur from wind, snow storms, excessive power demands, floods and earthquakes. We never know when a disaster will occur. Terrorism is on the increase along with floods and hurricanes.  A small investment now can mean the difference between life and death in the future.

Zip Ties, Cable Ties, a Survival Must

Seasoned survivalists know that our gear does not have to be expensive. What we want in our  gear is functionality. We want our gear to be effective. If you have spent some time out in the woods you know you can't do without duct tape. Duct tape is an essential and the cost is minimal. Another essential in my pack are zip ties also known as cable ties.  They are primarily used by electricians. However, they make great fasteners. Mostly designed for  one time use. Cable ties are a must. They are essential for survival, backpacking and Bug out bags.

Cable Ties

There are so many useful things you can do with a zip tie. They are lightweight, and cheap. A perfect item to throw in as part of your camping gear, into your survival kit, or even incorporate them into your everyday carry gear, these Zip Ties should be something that you don't leave home without.

Black ones are the best because they do not weaken when exposed to sunlight for long periods of time. Keep different sizes with you in your pack for different jobs. I keep the 1/16'" and 1/8" wide 10" to 12"  long ties. They seem the most useful. They take a second to apply, almost impossible to break, or cut.

You can buy reusable cable ties but I have found the one use cable ties work the best. 

Buy American made ties, stay away from china made ties. China made ties tend to snap.

When you are in a survival situation you never know when you’ll need to fasten something, strap something down or tie some up.  Zip ties have a million uses. Almost anything that needs to be held together can be held by zip ties. Your imagination is the limit. 

I have used ties to:

• Attach items to my pack 
• Secure a light fixture overhead on a tree branch
• As emergency shoe laces
• Lost a button once and a cable tie worked as a replacement
• Drawn two belt loops together as a quick belt
• Lashed a knife to a pole for a spear
• Building survival  shelters
• Used two cable ties to repair the shoulder buckle on my pack:

Bad Weather Car Kit

Be Prepared.

The south has had some bad weather the last month. It's about time to learn how to prepare for it just in case you get caught in another snowpocalypse. Ice on the roads can leave you stranded. We put together this list of the minimum for your southern bad weather car kit preparedness.

We understand that the south has warm ground, so new falling snow will freeze to black ice immediately.  It isn't the same as the north on the roads and with horror stories of 8-14 hours of being stuck in cars and roads closing... you want to make sure you've prepared yourself with a few essentials. You may want to include something for traction like sand/catlitter/salt - if you're going for gold on this. I've also heard of people adding toilet paper. Smart move.The south has had some bad weather the last month. It's about time to learn how to prepare for it just in case you get caught in another snowpocalypse. Ice on the roads can leave you stranded. We put together this list of the minimum for your southern bad weather car kit preparedness. 

Although an ice scraper might seem like an obvious snowy weather must, many people forget about important items such as a pocket knife and a couple of bottles of water! You don’t want to forget about the essentials people.

Please leave other ideas for what to keep in an emergency kit in the comments below.  And don't forget to visit www.extremely-sharp.com for help in the future.