My oldest daughter (7) is finally at that age where she is becoming a great hiking companion. She likes to learn about different things, and is noticing things like animal tracks and signs, how to tell if a tree or limb has been sawn down or broken off, noticing old fire rings, things like that. A few days ago we decided to head out for a quick hike, and I brought a sandwich along because last time she got really hungry so we cut the trip short.
This time we had a "mission" to find where a particular old road dirt road connected to a newer road. I'd seen the old road on satellite maps and wanted to find a way to get to it using an ATV, but we were on foot for this trip. As it turns out, the road doesn't connect to the new one in such a way that you can get an ATV across the 100 feet or so of rubble and sagebrush but at least I know how to get to it on foot now. We found a suitable place near some downed dead trees and made a quick flint and steel fire. I'm ashamed to say I am a little out of practice with blowing tinder bundles into flame so I took the opportunity and luckily got one going on the first try using a jute twine bundle with an extra bit of char cloth in the middle to really give it a head start.
I didn't take a whole lot of pictures but I did get this one. It was a very little fire. Just enough to show my daughter how the flint and steel works and to warm our hands while she ate her sandwich.
