Enjoying this very much Killie...Autumn is meant to be soaked up to the last drop!

In its last days:





Oh, the slides I took of that shelter! I need to scan some. In mid-November, when the snows came, and the heat inside would melt the lowest layer on the roof and cause it to drain off the back, what fantastic icicles! I was snowed in there once by a Nor'easter, my car stayed in camp for eleven days. I had a six-point hanging from the beam out front, and plenty of propane. I would chop wood just to keep warm, and to keep from sitting inside burning propane. I stayed there when it got down to 15 below. Hard, hard cold with trees making loud pops in protest of it all. The whole world seemed brittle.

During the thunderstorms, it felt so safe in there, the solid logs and thick log beams felt as though they would protect me from any tree that might give up it roots and fall. Cozy, as long as it didn't leak, and as long as the propane held out. Many a wild night I would have to get up and find a way to patch a leak in the roof or wall. I brought tarps, and plastic sheeting, a hammer and nails. Duct tape for reinforcing where I drove the nails in the plastic. Come time to leave, all that stuff came home with me, to use again next year.  

There were names and dates carved all over the walls, inside and out, going back to 1933. People pounded pennies into cracks, shell casings into the ends of the logs, and I put my carved eagle feather on the back wall, with the year of my first hunt there, and then my first deer, and then my second...

All gone now. Many nights I slept there, me and the mice, and all those whispered names.

Killdeer

That's a cool looking shelter, what a shame the chestnut trees are all but gone.

Wonderful.....you can't beat a lean-to. Spent many a night in the Adirondacks fishing trout ponds in the spring. Got snowed in one time as you did,but I had a 4 mile walk out in 12" of wet snow. Great nights spent looking at the stars and the moon, hearing owls and loons.......good stuff!!  

Enjoy your story Killdeer and the pics.RC

Ahh, I can see why you miss it.  What a lovely shelter.  Thank you for sharing your story.

Kathy,

Your tales of adventure (and photos) bring a smile to my face (and warmth to my soul).

Looking forward to the continuation............

 

Have a fine trip! and a safe return! AND everyday is precious!!!!!

Great story, Kathy. I'm glad you got to get away for a bit.  I'm looking forward to the rest.

Great story and pictures.

Thanks for the pics, Kathy.  I hope that your travels bring you out my way.

great read Killy, love the pics  

Ain`t it something how fast time goes by sometimes?

Kathy,
Thanks for the photos. OUTSTANDING      

You go gettum girl!

When it comes to tales of adventure and doing it right, I always look forward to my favorite brother of the bow... who just happens to be a sister.

And guys Kathy tells a mean story because she is so articulate but mainly because she "gets it".
 

I understand the the grief of losing someone you love and the solace of a familiar place,thanks for sharing.

Girl,I absolutely love the way you put feelings into words,your up there with the best of em!Thanks ever so much for sharing all this with us.
I would love to hear your litterary comments if I could get you into our North country elk hunting,it would truly be a classic!

QuoteOriginally posted by Charlie Lamb:
When it comes to tales of adventure and doing it right, I always look forward to my favorite brother of the bow... who just happens to be a sister.

And guys Kathy tells a mean story because she is so articulate but mainly because she "gets it".
     

I could not agree more.

More please. This is outstanding!