WAYNEDALE OUTDOORS Q & A

WHAT ARE SOME TIP$ THAT $AVE?
Always have several rolls of toilet paper stashed around like in the glove compartment, chuck box, car door pockets, trunk, coat pocket, toilet kit, and cupboard. At the cabin, install a towel rack with a removable rod that can be filled with several rolls of toilet paper. Excess? Do it and we’ll let you be the judge after camping all summer. I find that if you let a roll of paper dwindle down to about half size at home and then replace it with a full roll that the smaller amount will store easier when you mash it flat, place it in a Ziploc bag, and put it in your pocket, lunch bucket, backpack, bookbag, briefcase, etc. Why so much? Toilet paper can be used to blow your nose so that you aren’t putting that cold back in your pocket to infect others. Toilet paper wadded up can stop bleeding, be used to start fires, and stuff bras. I’m sure there are many other uses and I welcome any suggestions. I’ll even put them in this column if I deem them good enough.
Go to Goodwill and pick out a matched set of silverware (knife, fork, t-spoon, and tablespoon). They will cost about a quarter for each piece. Drill holes through the handles and put them on a metal shower curtain hook. Never loan your silverware out and you will always have it handy. A like set of matched eating utensils will cost about $10 in some sporting goods stores. You can even make a customized leather sheath for your eating utensils – see next paragraph.
Look for women’s leather purses at garage sales, Goodwill stores, Salvation Army stores, rummage sales, etc. I know you’re not that kind of guy, so don’t jump to conclusions. Buy the purses, go home, and using a razor sharp knife or X-acto tool, take the purses apart and discard all parts that aren’t made of leather. Keep these leather pieces in a shoebox and dig it out any time you have a leather project going. It’s sure cheaper than buying leather from a saddlemaker or shoe repair shop.
Go to a tire garage and beg for a few old inner tubes. Cut them into round rubber band strips and use them like bungee cords. They make tying up a sleeping bag a breeze. Use them between your guy rope and tent stake and you’ll save on torn canvas when it rains and blows. And they will help prevent pulled out tent stakes. They can be used to hold ice chests and gear boxes closed to keep stuff from spilling out and to prevent raccoons from raiding your food. Other tips will appear in future columns.