The Campfire Trail: September 8 - DIY Homestead

September 8, 2022

Day 342 of the Adventure

A Log Cabin Builder

We decide on a play day today that isn't necessarily all play. With the passing of Labor Day and the accompanying tourist exodus from the area, getting into local attractions was much easier (Don't get me wrong, they'll be back in just a week or so) For now though, while they are getting "re-loaded" for the Fall Season here in the Ozarks, we get somewhat of a lull in the local action to enjoy what the area has to offer without the big crowd.

The Ozarks is one of those few areas in the world that still tries to celebrate the old ways of getting things done, but even around here, the traditions of "Mountain Craft" are slowly fading away. If you take the time though, there's still a lot of it being practiced demonstrated and taught to those who go looking for it. Silver Dollar City is one of those places. Yes, we all know that even they are giving way to the modern demand for more entertainment. While the park grows and changes to meet the tastes of its patrons, you can still find plenty of roots connected to the past.

We collected video of lye soap making, corn meal grinding, bread baking and blacksmithing. Years ago, I had a fire starting kit made up of a steel striker, a piece of flint and some char-cloth. Somewhere in our many moves, it's been misplaced. To my surprise, a visiting blacksmith was just beginning the process of forging a striker for his shop. Excitedly, I declared "You make it and I'll buy it"! So, Mr. Pat McCarty forged up a new striker for me. We have plenty of flint lying about Camp Run Amuck, so that's no problem.

As we enter into the Fall, we'll be finding more of the nearly forgotten "Mountain Crafts" to bring to you in the form of videos. Some even simple enough you may even want to have a go at them yourself.

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.”

― Gustav Mahler

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Lost on the Trail (Guatemala)

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Mountain Craft Videos

Blacksmith making a Fire Striker

Shelley making Sassafras Tea (Chicks in the Sticks video)

DIY Construction Basics Videos

Building Gable Vents

Framing Roof Soffits