The Gathering is upon us - 2017 spring edition - sign-up closed

OK, talked to Ethan -- it looks like we have about 30 folks who say they will be there (including a couple not here on the forum), so we're closing the books.
if you're on the maybe list, you can still show up.
if you've said you'll be there and life gets in the way, we will mock you mercilessly, but we will understand [cough] *Derek* [/cough]

the good news is -- no burn ban!
the bad news is, rain is in the forecast every day next week through Friday, and if that happens we will not be camping up on the ridge.
it's supposed to be sunny Saturday and Sunday, though -- hopefully the weather system will move through early.

I will bring the forge.
cutshaw is bringing a couple hawk/knife targets - I will try to remember to bring a couple throwing implements
Gutsy will teach a class on Axe-handling and usage basics
after that we will have a bush medicine class on how to sew your foot back on.
There's a rumor Todd is going to sponsor a belching contest
any other topics folks want to learn about or teach?
 
Ya'll have fun. This one's a week late or 3 weeks early for me this year.

See you at the eclipse.
 
Just a week out and all looks pretty good..... Plenty of firewood on site and very little clean up left o do..... Dan Eastland is doing Friday din and it should be excellent.....

The weather looks problematical sooooo.... Bring a cot for back-up...... Do not forget a good folding chair and a WARM sleeping bag....... If you are hanging, plenty of under insulation is recommended...... I anticipate a rollicking good time sooooo be prepared to enjoy !!!!!....

E
 
Had a little failure in the tomahawk target... Wanted it to look cool and be one piece from the tree I took down in the back yard. Well, I underestimated the hardness factor. My tomahawk bounced right off. 😭 So tomorrow morning I will be using my back up tree (neighbors pine tree that fell on my fence... That will make a nice target too. I'll be delivering it tomorrow or Sunday afternoon to Half Moon Ridge!

See you guys Thursday night! Allison will be trailing in on Friday after work.
 
I spent the day at J.Bruce Voyles knife road show in Dalton, GA...... a good time talking with J.Bruce and Mark Zalesky of KNIFE Magazine....Got back late and noticed quite a bit of wind had visited during my absence..... Still plenty of time to do clean up if There is a mess in the woods...... Laid in the first Ten pounds of bacon, paper plates and other sundries..... I am getting the fever.....YES!!!!!!!!.......

I hope we can get Zalesky to come down to meet You all...... A fine man, Mr. Zalesky, a very fine man..... Mark is also an extremely knowledgeable cutlery fanatic..... Ask him about Old Bowie knives.... He KNOWS stuff.....

Will update on the morrow....

E
 
Ok...... I just dosed the rain barrel..... Not tasty but it should be completely without bugs...... There is plenty peat moss in the little house out back....... and no trees down over the roads...YAAAAY...... had to cut a leaner so Gus could get his rig under it but, no big..... E
 
smoked up some pork shoulder this weekend, sliced up and put a couple pounds in the freezer - should be good for sammiches.
also started a slab of "buckboard bacon" yesterday morning - I can either bring it with to finish up Thursday (5 days is the minimum recommended by Morton) it'll need a couple hours of soak to leach out some of the salt - then it needs about 4 hours in the egg at 175-200 -- or it can stay here and continue to cure while I'm gone. what do you think E?
also - do I need to bring you more cran-cherry soda?
 
My only worry is that the bacon will get lost in the vast vat of bacons and not really appreciated....... personally I like the idea..... I always appreciate that lovely soda...... give a call when you leave the crib...... E
 
Very excited to see everyone again. Will hit the road on Thursday aft. Should be there Friday aft.
 
Hey Randy.... Sorry to hear you are not gonna make it...... I enjoy your company and admire your work...... maybe next time?.....

All Best...
Ethan
 
Joey and I will unfortunately not be able to attend this one. :mad::(

I have a hearing that cannot be adjourned Friday and a meeting with the Prosecutor's Office first thing Monday on a death case.
Joey has new semester school stuff and we both just got back from a week in Florida; ... not complaining, just really wanted to attend and catch up with the gang.

Ethan, please accept my sincerest regrets.
 
Ethan Becker said:
Hey Randy.... Sorry to hear you are not gonna make it...... I enjoy your company and admire your work...... maybe next time?.....

All Best...
Ethan
Click to expand...
I will definitely try. We just bought a new house in January so I have been super busy with honey-do lists and not much time for knife making. the good news is that the bonus room is mine and I am setting it up as my clean room shop (everything but grinding and sanding). Hopefully by the fall, things will be closer to normal. :)

randy
 
Salty......

Are you sure you can't send Joey and a couple of rolls of pork roll?..... Actually, I am finding a certain sorrow that you will not be here!..... Does your client really need saving?.....

All Best
E


Hey Randy......

Hope to see you soon.... Blade?

E
 
An update and some tips and etc.........

The weather is looking pretty ok but, it is spring in East Tennessee soooo, who knows..... Bring Rain gear ......

Sloan's Shell and Magical Merchantile Emporium at Route 411 and SR360 is your last stop for snacks, bottled water, tobacco and gas.....TK Sloan's store is a marvel of a compact cornucopia and worth a few minutes to explore......

Your cell phone will not work reliably past the Museum.....

Please bring a flat of water per person, a large bag of real charcoal and something to add to the communal breakfasts and some sort of veg for dinner

Vik just showed up and we are headed up the hill to check for storm damage.... Murph will get here this afternoon and we should be good to go......

When coming in look for the faded B with an arrow at the bridge and there will be a B on a telephone poll 2.8 miles from the bridge.... black mail box with 678 and a fetching no trespassing sign in black on the pole.....

On a good note.... the first of the trilliums are up and walks in the woods should be great..... at this point every day brings new foliage and blooms.....l


Be safe...

E
 
As I enter crunch time for getting things done for my wedding this weekend, I am not bummed about the reason I will be missing this gathering, but I am bummed to be missing the good times that I know will ensue. My first gathering was only last spring, but I now consider it a vital part of my calendar of events. Thank you everyone who has made me feel welcome (dick jokes notwithstanding)

If this is your first gathering, have no fear (ok, maybe a little). Beyond the bluster and smack talk that will be bandied about freely, everyone there does (seem to) have a heart of gold. :P

I hope everyone has a raucous and safe (looking at you Brian Shaw!) time while up on the mountain, and Uncle E, I will have to visit soon with the new wifey in tow to make up for missing this weekend.

Cheers all!
 
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Beckerhead Camp..... Just a really lovely day on Half Moon Ridge..... The place looks awfully empty but it will be full f great folks very soon...... The roads(trails) were clear and Vik and I had no need to un-ass the Stihl saws...... Damn, I sure hope the weather holds like this until 1pm on Sunday!!!!!!!...
 
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