I hate the masks and vices
Out in the halls of my inn;
I'm going back to the the meek hubbub
Of my laurel mountains.
With the poor of the earth
I want to cast my destiny:
Mountain streams are more satisfying
Than all the oceans.
Let vain men covet gold
That burns and shines in its pot:
But I, I want the eternal woods
When the sun breaks forth in them.
José Martí - Versos Sencillos, III
Getting knocked around by the Ol' Shawnee Appalachy River. Taken from 'Braving the Ol' Shawnee Appalachy - Pt 2, available now.
#CrotchetyRiver #ShawneeAppalachy #ThePracticalWoodsman #AppalachianAdventuring
#MeanOIGal
Ol' pup's a-settin' sentry over camp like he's drawin' wages for it.
"I'm really surprised that any woodsman would be willing to go deep into the backcountry without this most important tool, which is a creature who can smell what you can't smell, hear what you can't hear, see what you can't see. Early warning system. It's just amazing.
They'll look off into the dark. You can't hear a sound. But they've heard something or they've picked up on something, and something is out there."
— The Practical Woodsman
Some of the tomaters I picked off my vines today. They’re still putting out as of today, Friday November 6, 2026.
After this latest time out, I’ve decided I’m not leaving home without a double-walled cup or thermos ever again. It’s not worth it. I wake up eager for a nice, hot cup of coffee, I spend all the trouble and energy to get my water boiling, finally have my coffee in a cup - and it’s cold in 3 minutes. It’s ridiculous.
I’m not fond of the idea of carrying any more cups or pots or pans or anything into the backcountry that ain’t absolutely necessary, but this has become one of those things that I simply feel is necessary.
If it means leaving something else at home, like my kuksa cup or whatever, then that’s just gonna have to be the way it is in order to make going to the trouble to prepare a cup of coffee out there practical.
