Nampa Parks & Recreation

Today there was a event put on by the Nampa Department of Parks & Recreation concerning the very fine trails and bike paths here. There were some things for the kids like a scavenger hunt and a raffle for a nice new bicycle. This kicks off the bicycling and walking week and on Saturday it all concludes with a bike race downtown. Earlier this morning I hit the trail heading west and saw a nice big slider sitting on the bank getting some sun. The rest of the photos are from the event that took place from 3-5PM today. There are some really great trails here and if you are into birdwatching, nature or just like to get out in the country check it out. Its worth the trip.

This is blown up version of the map that is currently available from Nampa Parks & Rec. The green lines are trails at present and the green dotted lines are future projects.

Heres the sunshade and table. The fellow in the green shirt was very helpful as were all the staff. This is also the parking area for trail users off of Sunnyridge Road

This is the Wilson Pathway trail headed west.

This is the creek next to the trail. Beautiful, isn't it?

Here's a shot of the Wilson Pathway trail headed east. The trail is paved for quite a ways and to the left of the black pavement. This will take you to the Wilson Springs ponds and the Anderson Wetlands. This is just off of Sunnyridge Road.

Here's Mr. slider doing what turtles do best.

The Haywire Klamper a cool new tool and walking stick fix

This refers to this post from some time back: walking stick or staff:hiking staff or stick  I did a modification to my walking stick. I had a piece of heavy duty bike tire held onto the bottom with a hose clamp. It looked really ghetto and crappy. I have been eyeing this tool lately: haywire klamper and its worth every penny. Here is a shot of before and after:

Before-the ugly hose clamp

Wired with the Klamper

back side view

I think the wire looks a heck of a lot better. If you are curious about this tool check out the you tube video posted on the sellers site. I was impressed and I can see a lot of uses for this critter. I first saw it on Survivalblog. Good stuff and made in the USA!!! I cleaned up the rubber around the tip so it looks a lot nicer. The rubber adds a good grip and also silences the stick so I don't startle wildlife when I'm out walking. I get some good photos if the animals aren't too upset.

I love Idaho!!

Yours truly after a great hike to the top of Jump Creek in the Owyhee mountains. The Oregon border is 2 miles to the west.

I love Idaho! Its been one good time after another. I got my concealed permit and I can buy any kind of firearm I choose! The local economy is going strong. I have been taking a lot of pictures lately. Here are a few to wet your appetite.

Look at all those AR's!!! Sportsmans Warehouse in Nampa.

One of my local haunts-5 walking minutes from home.

One of the ponds at Wilson Springs.

This area is rich in wildlife and plenty of  cattails.

Ducks and geese everywhere! I don't know if this is a major flyway but I have never seen so many birds of different species.

More wetland-two varieties of cattail grow here side by side.

Red wing blackbird-these guys are everywhere! I love to mimic their call-they get all antsy and start flying at me thinking I am the "competition".

Bullocks Oriole-male in breeding plumage according to my Nat. Geo. Birds of NA, 4th ed..

One of the many ponds-bass and trout are plentiful.

This is the canyon at Jump Creek.The trail is straight up and I took this at the top.

Jump Creek Canyon-its all volcanic rock like most of southwest Idaho and the adjoining states of Nevada and Oregon. Lots of interesting minerals to be found in the surrounding hills!

Top of Jump Creek looking east-Boise mountains in the distance and the Sawtooth range barely visible behind them

Gooseberry Globemallow, Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia. The "gooseberry" is alluding to the similar shaped leaves.

Looking up the creek at the bottom of the canyon-lots of alder trees and several useful plants like teasel, elderberry and mullien. I saw the tallest poison ivy plants I have ever seen here! And plenty of them! It makes me want to scratch just thinking about them!

This is a creek flowing past my house. Its loaded with good size trout. Lots of ducks and I saw a few muskrat.

Hiking staff ideas

Heres a photo of my hiking staff. Notice the extremely handsome fellow holding it. The fancy top is a chrome plated brass knob with a shaft about 3 inches long. I drilled a hole big enough for the shaft to fit in and glued it with liquid nails. It adds a bit of weight to the stick as well as a hard point for fending off wild critters, 2 and 4 legged. You may notice that duct tape and liquid nails are the two most essential tools in my survival kit. I never go anywhere without them. Good stuff.

Heres a photo of the bottom. Its heavy brass tubing I salvaged from an old brass headboard from a bed. This will protect the end from mushrooming and splitting. I drilled through the brass and wood and drove some small nails into it. It covers the bottom as well as the sides like a cap.



Heres a close up of the end cap.

This photo shows the markings burnt into the staff with a wood burning pen. I marked it off at one, two, and three foot increments. It helps to make measurements in the wilds at times.

This photo shows the reverse side of the staff. I burnt marks every inch for a foot length.


The staff is a limb from a eucalyptus tree I salvaged in the desert of Arizona. Its very strong wood and should last quite a while.

Heres a photo of the top of the staff.



This is a photo of my "signature" or makers mark. A backwards "R" connected to an "L", my initials. I've used this for years on my art work and wood work.


Thanks for looking and enjoy. I hope you've been inspired to personalize your gear.