|
| |
Reevis Mountain Wilderness School
December 2005
Adventures with Bigfoot
by Augie Vullo
On December 4th we went on a trip to Peter Bigfoot's cabin in the Superstition Mountains. On the way up, there was some pretty rough terrain, steep hills, and sand, but we made it there sure enough, with minimal difficulties and no pulling of SUVs -- certainly no pulling of SUVs. When we got there, a man with size 15 shoes greeted us, it was Bigfoot himself. He immediately began teaching us about the healing power in our hands when Drew fell and got a lump on his head.
Many of the younger scouts worked on their wilderness survival merit badge with Peter. He aided them in making a good shelter for their badge and taught everyone to make a fire using friction and kindling. He taught all of us the use of many plants such as horehound, the ultimate cure for a cold. He had many crops and lots of big turkeys on his farm. Peter had a slideshow that he showed to us about his journey through the desert in the seventies; it was a very spiritual adventure for him.
All of the scouts participated in a service project. Peter had us burn a whole bunch of brush that he had cut down when he was threatened by a forest fire. Peter also had a chicken coop where the chickens laid eggs, he killed a chicken for his lunch too, and everyone got a kick out of that. Peter also showed us his medicine that he had for sale. We left Bigfoot's place with more knowledge of wilderness survival than most people will ever learn. Needless to say, everyone enjoyed the trip and has this one on their favorites list. | |
 |
Yes, just as Augie said --
certainly no pulling of SUVs! |
 |
The boys start by building their shelters for the night, and Peter gives them some helpful hints on staying warm.
Blaze is proud of his shelter and ready for anything - snow, bears, chickens.. |
After lunch Peter takes us on a tour of his ranch. His electricity is all solar or wind powered and everything he grows is organic. Peter says all of his food comes from Safeway - meaning the only safe way to get your food is to grow it yourself.
  |
 |
 |
Peter has an orchard full of fruit and nut trees, and gives everyone a taste of his persimmons.
  |
 |
Mr. K. checks out the facilities.
 |
| After lunch, Peter shows us how to start a fire using a handcarved yucca bow and drill. |
 |
|
Amazing! |
 |
The boys have a great time tending the bonfire and burning brush for Peter. Of course, they had to use a match to start their fire!
 |
 |
Luke, Nathan, and Lenny try to start a fire in 30 seconds with a bow and drill.. then they try to do in 30 minutes...
 |
Nathan gets more of the secret ingredient to help start a fire.
 |
 | Lenny makes a different kind of bow with his piece of yucca. Watch out, Lenny, you'll put your eye out!!
|
 |
After dinner, we have a campfire and then Peter tells us all about his 15-day journey across the desert and shows us the slideshow. Incredible!
 |
Early the next morning Peter gives the boys a demonstration of how he goes grocery shopping for dinner. Tonight's dinner is chicken stew.
 |
  |
 |
The boys learn what it really means to run around like a chicken with your head cut off.. |
 |
The boys help clean the chicken and Peter teaches them his recipe for the freshest and best chicken stew ever!
 |
After breakfast we hike up to Peter's spring just above the ranch and he shows us the spring house he made from stone and how he gets his fresh water down to the ranch.
 |
 |
 | Nick climbs up and checks out the water tank.
|
 | Hiking back from the spring. |
 |
 | Peter even makes his own olive oil from the olive trees on his property.
|
| Thanks for an awesome weekend, Peter! We wish we could stay here forever! |
 |
 |
And of course since we just happen to be going through Globe on the way home, we stop at Chalo's for Mexican food! |
|
