What's Coming in 2025 for BTC

 The year 2024 turned out to be somewhat of a scaled back version of what was originally planned. Lots of reasons for that, with weather being the biggest culprit, but other things interfered with my planned agenda. Not all that unusual as my planned agendas tend to become more like planned suggestions that may or may not happen.

The new year 2025 is rapidly approaching and I've got some planned suggestions in mind. Let's take a quick look at what we might expect.

First of all, I will most likely be making one or two winter backpacking trips and then again make a few fall trips later in the season probably returning to The Bluffs area inside Mammoth Cave NP. The idea here is to make bare minimum trips and incorporate some bushcraft features. I'll once again be talking about the gear I use, pro's and con's, and focus on the kind of fitness program an older person such as myself needs to undertake in order to make these kinds of trips. I'll also do some day hikes into different areas inside Mammoth Cave NP and other locations.

Will also spend time photographing and videoing the deer herd that frequents the fields behind my house. This is a challenging project in several ways. The weather, the deer themselves are quite leary of my being there, and figuring out how to capture their portraits in unique ways all contribute to the success of this kind of photography.

I want to make another trip up to Seymour Indiana to chase after Sandhill Cranes. My last trip up there turned out to be somewhat of a marginal bust as the Sandhills were not where I expected them to be. We'll look at photographic techniques / tips on how to get the most out of photographing these amazing migratory birds. Will also do some other wildlife photography.

When canoeing season arrives I'll once again head out in my Jeep with my Old Town canoe strapped on top. I'll be making several overnight trips and even more single day trips. Will concentrate on fishing and photography during the day trips. The overnight trips will focus on several things; distance (multidays), gear used, photography, camp cooking, and more of the Zippo Lighter Moment stories.

Will once again do a bushcraft segment out back behind my house around my campfire field work area. We'll look at building a Lean-pee (sort of like a Tee-pee, but smaller and it leans a little) using long poles and a canvas tarp. This is a fun way to car camp and I may even throw in a backyard overnighter using that setup and doing a short segment on building a fire without matches.

During that transitional season between winter and the canoeing season, I plan on creating a video on how to make a collapsable wooden double canoe/kayak paddle. This is a fun and rewarding project requiring basic hand tools and a little time. I love the look and feel of a wooden paddle and these kayak style wooden paddles are not only beautiful, but they are very functional. Plus its a great way to strengthen your arms and shoulders making them ready for the canoe season.

I may also create a different kind of video where I focus on creating a season long video concentrating on the moods of nature. This will encompass the various seasons along with wildlife. 

I also plan on doing some simple day trip outings just for shooting in a Ansel Adams black and white style photography. I've made these kinds of outings before but never really concentrated on the techniques and developing an eye for that style of shooting. 

Also will be making several trips to Shanty Hollow for some waterfall along with some morning sunrise timelapse photography tips and techniques. Should be a fun and informative video. Will also just make a few follow me outings where I just take off walking and see what comes up.

Well...there you have it. Next year is sort of planned out, but as always, things can change and new directions might creep into the agenda. Be sure to come along and join me Beyond The Campfire as we explore, photograph, and enjoy the great outdoors.