Big Dave.....the coolest dude at Camp McDowell.

• Walt loves it when he gets to be in a class taught by Big Dave, especially when there's a hike involved. Big Dave's mother is an Indian woman. She taught him early on about their culture, which he keeps very close to his heart. Here's big Dave taking a break from a long hike and showing the kids how to make fire with some dry pine straw & leaves they gathered, and a rock.

• Clearly....he made fire. And he thought it was a good idea to continue to hold it in his hand while talking to a group of 10 year old little boys, who may or may not, be planning to try this trick when they return home!!

I did learn something new this week at Camp McDowell from none other than, Big Dave. Remember the saying...."leaves of 3, let them be"? In reference to Poison Ivy, Oak, Sumac and such? Well......guess what.....it's not just when the leaves are showing that the threat is there. It seems that the oil is in the vine, even when you think it's dormant in the winter.

• So, how in the world do you tell a Poison Oak vine from any other vine crawling up a tree? Good question, and I'm so glad you asked! See, this photo. Looks just like a regular old tree with a regular old vine on it. The vine is growing up the tree, but isn't wrapping itself around the tree like most vines will do. It's just going straight up. That's Poison Oak/Ivy, etc.

• You see the poison oak vine doesn't require the choking style, as other vines do, to get oxygen from the tree to live. Instead it has these little hair-like feelers that shoot out from the sides of the vine and attach onto the tree.....and in turn, they get the oxygen. See the little hairs holding on tight to the bark? So, now you know.....now, go share your new knowledge with someone else!