Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: BrianS on March 30, 2017, 11:08:33 am
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Last year my Grandson and I built a very simple lean to back in the woods. It was built from brush and old plastic tarp. Kinda like a Hobo Camp of sorts. We even put up a couple of Hobo signs. Had a lot of fun at it last Summer and Fall. I left it up to see how it would fair over the Winter and the snow load was too much for it. Started rebuilding it using much heavier poles and a canvas tarp. Put a additional tarp on the front that can be rolled down if needed. Picked up a Reflective "Survival Blanket that we will be tying to inside to (maybe)reflect heat? I made a small wood stove out of a ammo can a year ago that I am thinking of putting in. Still need to finish the side walls some way. Last time we just used stacked firewood. The project is pretty simple and may not seem like much but the whole point was to spend some time together. Every Kid whether they are 10 or 60 should have a Fort in the Woods. Here are a few pictures of the old and new. I would encourage anyone with kids or grand kids if possible to do something similar
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A few more.
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That's a very cool way to spend time together. Great job.
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;D Good for you, that is AWESOME. those are memories he'll have for a life time. Ed
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Makes me want to come join in! Looks like a blast.
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I roamed the woods where the lean to is when I was a kid and now 60 years later, my Grandson can. It is a special place to me. Within a 100 yards or so is a very old Trail Marker tree that must be 100 plus years old. When i was a kid I would play on it. Never knew until just recently how significant Trail Marker trees are. There is a much smaller trail marker tree back in the woods. Have no idea what ether were meant to mark. The lean to sits up on a ridge that overlooks a small un-named spring fed creek. When I was a young boy I spent countless hours catching crayfish and building dams. The creek holds some native trout in the deeper holes and from time to time I still fish it. The woods is a mixture of Hemlocks, Maples, Birch and Beech mostly. Not much under story due to the canopy. Lots of mushrooms and fungus. Even after all these years I am discovering new things there. It is cool to see my Grandson do many of things I did way back when.
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That is really fantastic Brian. I didn't build forts with my dad or grandfather, but I sure remember a bunch my cousin and I built. Really brings back some good memories.
Bjrogg
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That trail maker tree is cool.
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Here are a few more pictures from the property.
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He will remember that for the rest of his life
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Brian, grandkids need more grandpa's like you. OUTSTANDING (=)
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That's so great! I'm glad you're both getting to enjoy being outside in such a special place.
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Osage Outlaw,
Up until recently I did not know about trail marker trees. There is a Society that is documenting them and there is a bunch of interesting info on their website. The Group is Great lakes trail tree society. I have no idea about the tree near the lean to as to what it was meant to mark. It is a old hard Maple and based on the size and poor soil growing condition and climate I would guess it to be quite old. It is a miracle that it has survived and not been molested or destroyed by someone all these years.
Brian
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I was looking at that great lakes website earlier today. They have some good pictures on there. I'll be looking for trail marker trees when I go hiking from now on.
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Two of my grandkids are living with us temporarily. While there have been trying moments, there have also been many many cool ones.
They wanted to build a "hideout" couple months ago . . . when it was COLD and SNOWING.
I told 'em where there was rope and an old tarp. And showed them a reasonably level spot out behind our property line.
They were out there for 90 minutes when I figured they wouldn't last 15!
Finally they came in to grab the hands of momma, gramdma, and yours truly.
They had done a fine job building a shelter. And this by a 12-yr-old and a kindergartener!
Shelter is still up and it's been location for several smores feasts, hamburger/hotdog roasts, and, last Sunday, we grilled big batch of kabobs.
Yep, youngun's can add lotsa pleasure to an old fart's days.
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Very cool Brian ! The stuff memories are made from (=) - Bob.
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Very cool, brings back old memories, Beau and I use to do that pretty regular, we would just through up something for a night or 2 down on the creek, wander the farm and creek all day and settle into our camp at night. Very special time spent with kids. You are a great Grand Paw and he will remember that all his life as will you. :)
Pappy
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Brian,
I think KNOLL called you an "Old Fart!" (A), sounds like he knows you pretty well!
The pic of you and Michael is really cool, it's a special place that the two of you made for yourselves.
The rest of the pics are cool also, it looks like you got a really nice piece of property.
Kevin
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Great time looks like with your grandson.Good to teach everything has a purpose and a reason for living.Except a tick....lol.I can't find a purpose for those fellas.Except bird food....lol.
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Kevin,
You have a invitation to come out and see it first hand anytime (maybe if you setup at the Trappers Show over in Little Valley this Summer). You can stay in the lean to when it is finished or I keep a extra tent stashed away for guests to use. I had planned on going with Michael this Sunday to work on the side walls and see how the ammo can stove will work for heating it but I am still a bit on the mend. Not sure if I am up for the drive yet. I may instead take him up to Hawkeye as it is a much closer drive. Maybe shoot our bows and cook up some lunch out on a campfire.
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Thats was a great idea you had to build the lean-to with your grandson. I can just imagine what it means to him to have a spot to go to and get away from the modern world for a bit, maybe pretending he is a pioneer, or fur trader, or desperado hiding out from a posse. I loved exploring the woods when I was a kid and could have spent hours at a spot like that. Your a cool grandpa for getting him out there and sharing that experience you had as a kid too.
Looks like a beautiful patch of woods too. :)
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Ammo can stove worked good. We still need to put it in a bit more permanent and finish up that side wall. Added a small tarp to the other side and a Reflective blanket to help keep the heat in (at least that was our thinking). Need to level out the floor a bit here and there and maybe build a raised bed. It was a nice morning to be outside.
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It's looking good.
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Way cool - I could stay a week or two in that easy (=). Bob