more time in the woods?

**kirkerik** · 06-04-2011, 11:50

Wow! thanks for all the great replies and ideas. The solution may be so simple but i guess that's why I so easily overlooked it. On the end of my nose - sort of speak.

Just plan it and schedule it in. "Let's do lunch"

We used to just go all the time at the drop of a hat. But i guess life gets busier, so it sounds like a little planning and preparedness is the key.

I like the idea of just going and letting them know you're out there. That would drive my buds nuts!

If that doesn't get them, then the pics and stories will. With everyone so busy i need to be the motivating factor. I don't mind going solo either...

I'm surrounded by woods and some farmland, but a bunch of state forests. So i can just go out my back door. That helps a lot! I just need to give myself a little time and be ready. I have been prioritizing work and homesteading projects. I can prioritize the hike and hang!

I'm going to get some food stuff together so i can just go. That's what usually takes me the most time.

BTW i'm going tonight and my buds coming with. Local woods - fingerlakes trail. Oh Yeah!

Thanks all,
kirk

**kirkerik** · 06-04-2011, 11:58

Originally Posted by mountaingoat

I try to get out once a month, maybe twice in the summer. I also have a fulltime job, and a side cottage industry and a daughter....BUT, I have made it a priority and I don't really do any town kind of thing, which makes me a bit of a recluse, at least that's what my co workers think.

I hear ya, i don't get in to the city/town much either but there is plenty of work here at home, -house build and repair, firewood, bees, garden stuff, chores etc.

When spring gets here - "it's hurry up cause winter's coming!"

I could probably not try to do SO much!

kirk

**mbiraman** · 06-04-2011, 12:31

Originally Posted by kirkerik

I hear ya, i don't get in to the city/town much either but there is plenty of work here at home, -house build and repair, firewood, bees, garden stuff, chores etc.

When spring gets here - "it's hurry up cause winter's coming!"

I could probably not try to do SO much!

kirk

I had a friend visiting from Seattle once and they were overwhelmed at seeing how much work there is in maintaining a rural/country lifestyle. They exclaimed "How do you get it all done??,,,,,i said you don't,,you just do what you want and the rest is undone.

**Doody** · 06-04-2011, 12:39

I've always just gone alone. Of course last year I did take a hard fall and separate a shoulder. Getting to the nearest trail head was.. interesting.

**mountaingoat** · 06-04-2011, 12:40

Originally Posted by kirkerik

I hear ya, i don't get in to the city/town much either but there is plenty of work here at home, -house build and repair, firewood, bees, garden stuff, chores etc.

When spring gets here - "it's hurry up cause winter's coming!"

I could probably not try to do SO much!

kirk

I hear ya too

. Work 40 hrs at a job in town. 2 Hrs a day for the landlord. Sew and knit a few hrs. Cook. Clean. Fix the heater. Clear brush around the cabin. Sweep off the roof. Change my oil...
I know what it takes to do it.

**kirkerik** · 06-04-2011, 12:48

Originally Posted by mbiraman

I had a friend visiting from Seattle once and they were overwhelmed at seeing how much work there is in maintaining a rural/country lifestyle. They exclaimed "How do you get it all done??,,,,,i said you don't,,you just do what you want and the rest is undone.

yep that's about it too! perhaps not everything NEEDS to get done so long as we're hiking and hanging

Originally Posted by Doody

I've always just gone alone. Of course last year I did take a hard fall and separate a shoulder. Getting to the nearest trail head was.. interesting.

Ouch! Yet another adventure

**kirkerik** · 06-04-2011, 12:58

Originally Posted by mountaingoat

I hear ya too

. Work 40 hrs at a job in town. 2 Hrs a day for the landlord. Sew and knit a few hrs. Cook. Clean. Fix the heater. Clear brush around the cabin. Sweep off the roof. Change my oil...
I know what it takes to do it.

Yeah good luck

simplify, and reduce overhead. At least that got me to be my own boss - which has it's pluses and minuses.

some examples, + i'm hanging, - I'm not hiking!

all these are with in just a few yards of my front or back door

it's taken years of work and long term planning though.

**mountaingoat** · 06-04-2011, 13:03

Originally Posted by kirkerik

Yeah good luck

simplify, and reduce overhead. At least that got me to be my own boss - which has it's pluses and minuses.

some examples, + i'm hanging, - I'm not hiking!

all these are with in just a few yards of my front or back door

it's taken years of work and long term planning though.

Not much more reducing I can do, believe me. Just trying to make it here with my daughter. Nothing fancy.

**BlazeAway** · 06-04-2011, 13:36

You provoked me to go out today for lunch and thanks for that (ended as a 6 hours tour). I took a bag pack, put in a tarp, a hammock, a heavy synthetic under quilt, a heavy synthetic sleeping bag, a pillow, 2 pegs, a knife, a jacket, lunch and some water. Took 10 minutes and of I went.
The pictures are below.

But I see you are already there. Living in the middle of it all.

So happy hanging.

**kirkerik** · 06-04-2011, 13:38

Originally Posted by mountaingoat

Not much more reducing I can do, believe me. Just trying to make it here with my daughter. Nothing fancy.

How about overhead? I know you like camping so how about making it your life for a few years? Have you heard of natural building? A little land, a lot of clay sand straw, some trees and a whole bunch of labor. That can reduce rent/mortgage payments. The natural building community can help. Renting is a good option too though!

whatever we do - life is work. The most important thing is in joying it, and focusing on the positive. That helps me a bunch!

best wishes