Just another Dave

Returned from a hunting trip in Vermont with peaceful and everlasting images and feelings too incredible to duplicate.

I've been getting a lot of blank night photos lately but now that there's a couple inches of snow, the critter activating the camera has been discovered.

I had to take a photo from where I flushed several ruffed grouse. Seems they must have been feeding on ash or beech seeds.

Kyle and I went bear hunting in Maine during that extremely hot week in early September. Last day, both of us saw bears. Mine a sow with cubs and Kyle's late night meeting didn't give a good shot. We did get out a few days to catch smallmouth bass on some remote lakes!

The Definition of a Holler.....
Someone from outside my area recently asked me about our Appalachian hollers, and I have been thinking of how to best describe them to those not familiar with them. The simple answer is that a holler is a lane that follows a narrow valley between the hills. But if you're from the hills of Appalachia, then you know there's a lot more to a holler than that.

Most hollers are just dirt roads with a little gravel spread on them every now and then. They were never intended to carry heavy traffic. A holler is generally very sparsely populated because that's the way we like it. We guard our privacy and we're pretty wary of strangers. Often there's not another house in sight of your house.

But we still know our neighbors. And when one needs help, then you help. If someone is sick in the holler, then you pitch in to help until they get back on their feet. If someone has a problem, then you listen. When someone claims you as a friend, then you're loyal. And if you make a promise, then you'd better make good on it.

There aren't any mansions In a holler. In fact, most houses in a holler are modest ones. And almost everyone has a barn, and a couple of other outbuildings. Some have chickens and cows and goats and a couple of horses. And they all have at least one dog that runs to the road and barks at every car that passes by.

Most people in a holler have a front porch. And they actually sit on it. They shell peas and string green beans and peel apples on the porch. And people stop by and sit on the porch with you. And in the dusky evenings, they come with fiddles and flat top guitars and five-string banjos. And, good Lord in heaven.....what music they make! Sometimes the music drifts up and down the holler and it's so pretty it just makes you want to cry! But instead of crying, you find yourself humming along.

A lot of the houses in a holler have been occupied by several generations of the same family over the years. There is comfort in living in the house where your grandpa was born, or playing in the creek where your daddy used to swim. Something stirs down deep inside of you when you know you're walking in the steps of your forefathers. And you never really feel alone as long as you know that your people lie buried on top of the hill that holds you so closely. Never underestimate the way that the hills cradle you. They will rock you to sleep at night, and awaken you in the morning with a happy heart and a joy in your soul.

If you live in a holler, you get recognition every day. And you're never invisible. People always wave at you when they see you on your porch or in your yard. And if they don't see you outside, then they will blow the horn when they drive by your house....just as a way of saying "howdy". And if a few days pass and they don't see you, then they'll stop by to check on you. You can count on it. And you can count on them.

If anyone invites you to have a meal at their table...accept their offer quickly. And if it's a house where an old woman runs the kitchen, get to the table just as fast as you can. And get ready to be amazed! Because if you live to be a hundred years old, you will never have a finer meal than one served up in an Appalachian holler.

There is a certain etiquette adhered to when you drive up or down the holler. If you meet another car in an extra narrow spot, then one of you has to back up to a wide spot so the other can pass. And when you are finally able to pass each other, you stop and roll the car window down and you talk until another car comes along and you have to move on.

If your neighbor slides out of the road in the winter snow, or if he gets stuck in the mud, then you try to push him out. If you're unable to push him out, then you get your tractor out of the barn, attach a big chain, and pull him out. Again...it's just common courtesy.

If someone in the neighborhood dies, you get to their house quickly with huge boxes of food. You make a pot of coffee. And then you make another one. And you stay beside your neighbor for as long as you're needed. You don't even have to say a word, you just have to be there.

There are other unwritten rules to holler-living. If a forest fire breaks out, you become a firefighter. And not just to save your own house, but to also save all the other houses in the holler. If the creeks start rising, you don't leave anyone behind to face the muddy waters alone. And when storms come, and they will, you will find no better friends than the ones who are going through the same challenges that you're facing.

There's a lot more to be said about an Appalachian holler, but if I don't tell you another thing, you need to know that a holler is more than a narrow isolated lane that runs between the hills. A holler takes you to the place where you have always been loved and where you'll always be welcome. A holler takes you to the place where you can find comfort and peace and a sense of belonging. It takes you to your roots and to your family and to the truth of who you are. A holler takes you home.

(Written by Roberta Stephens) — with Eddiee Brown.

Last week, the town of Washington, VT put on a fundraiser for the General Store damaged by flooding. The $5 burgers provided by a local farm were sold out by the time I arrived. The root beer float hit the spot!

Well, no one's seen the cabin yet. Given the collapse and washing out of our Road, I'm anticipating lots of work there and to restore my driveway. Feel bad for so many folks who are experiencing pain and uncertainty.

For the Dads! If our "FB friends" status changed, or i dont respond to posts, I apologize. Weird things are happening. In my sociial media world. I'll get it straightened out eventually.

Can't wait to take you hunting and fishing little G man!

Woke up to a woodpecker just outside the window pounding the heck out of my siding. Should have shown him the Eider in the rafters.

Snow disappeared in a few warm days. Lynne and I finished the siding job, finally!

While warm as crap on the coast, we're greeted by a foot of snow on the mountain. But a high at 38 made it a bit slushy.

Last night was the CT Waterfowl closer for me. Each year, on the last day, I made it a tradition to embark on an evening hunt in the peacefulness of the Barn Island marsh. Yesterday's picture is included with some photos from prior years.

What a week! Harvested mussels and oysters with my long time western Pa bud Todd; followed by a Cape Cod Sea Duck hunt with Todd, Tom And Vin; then a trip to VT to check on the camp.

Enough firewood to get us through deer season.

Farms and small towns line a 14 mile drive on the last leg of blacktop leading to the camp. Colors are at their peak this week.

One thing I love about Vermont is the many beautiful places to go fishing!

Just finished. The hardwood floor/ v***r barrier not only prevents us from getting pine splinters in our feet but also seals the spaces between the floor planks. With 12 volt lighting and window screens it's becoming a bit less rustic....

Just returned from 5 days " on the mountain"! Ate my fill of blackberries and apples from the plants growing wild. From best I can tell, when the farm was abandoned about 70 years ago, every year or so, local folks mowed a few areas to provide suitable place for the apple trees. Lots of apple trees died when the crown of taller trees cut off the sunlight. Some really delicious apples still are growing well!

Finished up the vertical ship lap siding by bringing both gable ends into the chimney stack. Same week we had visitors. I thought a late night yearling and cub...but where's momma ?

Getting ready for winter....installing shingles (thanks Dave Smith),hung solar lights and a starting a stack of cordwood!

Finally have the facia installed, shingles next!

I post these pics so, some day, I can reminisce over the fun time I had during construction. I greatly appreciate my friends who enjoy seeing the pics too; God willing, we'll enjoy it as long as possible.

Tom, Todd and Cliff stayed the week to enjoy "camp life". Fishing didn't produce as hoped. Good thing there were plenty of fluids on hand to refresh the mind and soul. Other than fishing and first week of spring gobbler, went to Norwich, VT to see the place where Todd's/my college fraternity -Theta Chi - started and pound down some local brew at the Norwich Inn.

Some memories of a weekend at the camp. Gotta love a list of youth who checked in their gobblers from the youth opener, at the local grocery store. Rufffed grouse checks out the camp. Finished laying the hemlock on the porch and buttoning up the window leaks. Temps got into the 30's one night, up every 4 hours to stoke the wood stove. Truck stuck in mud on the road in, thankfully, Ray and Alexis helped with their 4wd John Deere!

Started off with a Veterans Offshore fishing trip in Hampton, NH and some fresh haddock! What the heck, go to the cabin for a couple days, do some carpentry work, cook wild game and fresh fish, hike the mountains, and relax. 60 degrees Friday, snow next afternoon, wake up to snow covered ground the following morning, then beautiful full moon and 25 degrees. By myself but incredibly whole back in the woods.

Needless to say, we're not going to the cabin anytime soon. Friends nearby are travelling over a mile to get to hard road.

‘It’s of biblical proportions’: Vermonters contend with mud season unlike any in recent memory - VTDigger Mud season came quickly and violently this year, stranding people in their homes. And it is not just an anomaly, experts say.

Remnants of years gone by on our new property....several old tree stands and an old foundation that I'm told was either the 1800's school house or a jail.....then again, when I was in school, it felt like being in jail.

Been a few weeks since the last visit. Walked in since the driveway was not passable.

All the cabin work thus far, and short trips to VT with stuff, was in preparation of the VT Gun deer and bear opener. Much more to do but now comfortable.

They say, Timing is everything. Tom, Rusty and I hooked up the wood stove just as we got hit with the first snowfall. Still more to button up prior to the deer opener.

My number #1 helper whacked her finger with a hammer leaving blood everywhere, and didn't complain once. Taking a break on the living room chair. Still a ways to go but getting ready for buck season.

Status this week. First night in the cabin, temps in the upper 40's to the 60's. Dave Smith wakes me up at 0545 cause he needs a cup of coffee. After a short 5 mile drive to the closest grocery store, we get back to work and close in the structure. Hemlock porch deck mostly done.

During their touring of New England, my long time friends from Greene Co, PA stopped by the cabin to check on construction progress. Waiting for more materials. Snow is coming and we have some work to do before the buck opener!.

We have the roof protected. Cutting rafter ends.
Gotta get it closed-in and the stove ready before buck season.

Exciting to make progress. Finished framing the exterior walls, set the ridge board and roof rafters. We used all the sheathing we had to finish the roof! Thanks for the help Tom Hickey! Cheers!

It feels great to finally get rafters up. Goal is to close in the camp before hunting season!

I know, youre going to tell me, Dave, there are a bunch of openings in those walls. Yup, the idea is to bring in lots of natural light! Still need to block above and below the headers.

Plywood comes off and rough sawn sheathing covers the exterior walls.

Apple trees in front are loaded with fruit, a tasty afternoon treat!