4th Annual Homesteaders Fall Campout on the Buffalo River

Marlene, I think that would be a great idea!! I know that I would love to actually talk to someone about herbs. I know that there are a lot of wild, useful plants growing on my place, and for the most part I just let em grow...... Would love to be able to get a good patch of ginseng going....it is difficult to get started though. Takes like 18 months for seeds to germinate, and it is federally protected, not that that stops anyone from taking too much of it from the wild.........
I was also thinking about some older, more simple games for all...
Also, I don't remember Marlene, but are there any tables there?? I've slept since you and I were there......

__________________
I support our troops, I love my country, but fear my government.....

the herb walk sounds really intriguing! If they don't have any tables I have an extra long table that i could bring out there. rannie

I'll get in touch with Charlo soon to see if she is interested. There might be a problem with an herb walk in a National Park, as there is a rule about picking things there...I know on Saturday, we did a lot of picking and smelling and tasting...well some of us braver people did tasting. We might just have a point and look herb walk.

LaDonna, I seem to remember tables at Steele Creek, hopefully, someone will be able to make a run to find out before September. But we did not actually go to the area set up for group camping...have no idea what's there.
Mamabear or French do ya'll remember?

We haven't heard from Corky and Milt? Are they still on vacation?? Off to parts unknown?

Hugs
marlene

__________________
It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

The Sultain and I are planning to come.
I thought I already posted that here but I couldn't find it.
We have two more alpacas as of today. Yea! They are pretty and white!(till they roll in the dirt that is)
We had an apointment to go look at some on June 4 down in arkansas and I got a call form someone else asking if I would take these two. OH Yeah!

I think we are still going to go look at the other ones in June.
She quoted us a really good price and if I can get one cheap I would like one of another color. We will see. I will have homesteading stories to tell at the camp out.

__________________
Corky

LEAD ME NOT INTO TEMPTATION. I CAN FIND IT BY MYSELF.

I can sleep a little better now Corky. A campout without you and the Sultan just won't be the same.

More Alpaca fleece is on the way....

Hugs
marlene

__________________
It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

I seem to remember their being both tables an fire grills there........ but I will make some calls an find out for sure for us ..........

Sorry for the delays in answering. Yes there is one table in each campsite, so folks might want to bring folding ones if there are larger groups. There is a firering and pole in each site also. You have access to running water, there are toilets and garbage cans available. They have done a lot of work to Steel Creek since our first camping trip there 10 years ago. Also, bring critter proof containers to keep the varmints out. The wildlife cover up the camps when you walk away. I watched a squirrel back up a tree with half a loaf of bread one time. I've also seen coons and crows come visiting when folks leave their food out and go to the river. But they are cute unless it's your food their stealing.
Also, don't leave food out during the night. We had a large visitor (bear) in our camp during one visit at night. He didn't bother anything. Just sniffed around the firering and our tent then headed for the woods. That's the only time we've seen one actually in the park.
Hope this helps somebody.
hugs,
mamabear

Dennis and I have a big folding table we could bring.
HMM? Marlene, are you keeping a list to remind us when the time gets here??!!

Now, don't change the dates on me because I already got someone to cover for me at work.

__________________
Corky

LEAD ME NOT INTO TEMPTATION. I CAN FIND IT BY MYSELF.

woooo hoooo looks like a campout headin our way!!! hopefully that herb lady will want to join us and maybe bring some herbs! I'm hoping for some more demo's I can't seem to learn enough! rannie

did you say.."bear"???

Oh my! (somebody had to say it).

__________________
"I don't want everyone to like me; I should think less of myself if some people did."
— Henry James

I hesitated to mention the "b" word, but it was interesting and it didn't bother us. I've only seen two others, but not at Steel Creek. We were hiking through the forest and, like dummies, went through some berry patches right during harvest season. Thankfully the two bears went one direction and we went the other.
The area is absolutely gorgeous and there are so many things to do. Lost Valley has a hiking trail and a cave to explore, complete with a waterfall inside. You can rent canoes at Ponca to float the river. It is usually too low to float much in the fall, but you might try. Then the river itself is where I like to spend our time in the hot afternoons. The water is clear and cold so don't forget your swim clothes. Elk watching, bird watching, fishing, just whatever makes you happy.
I would love to meet everyone on here. It seems like y'all ought to be family by now.
Hugs,
mamabear

We recently drove from NC to Fla for a weekend campout. We used it for a practice "Bug out". Learned that I was not as prepared as I thought. Arkansas is a "fer piece" for an ole country boy from NC to venture. Has anybody ever had one on the East coast? Would be glad to help with one if there is interest. Holler at me if so.--- edited to add, Sure hope all have a great time-nothing like putting a face to a keyboard and getting to know folks. Our prayers for a safe weekend.

It took me three years to confirm TanaMc's skunks...and that was at two different campsites...now I have to deal with a bear sighting. Not to worry mamabear, this group is notorist for leaving food out over night, if any bears show up they will have more then enough to fill up on and probably won't bother with checking out people.

Gideon -- people have come from as far away as Maine and Arizona...and all our bordering states. Maybe you could make arrangements to share a ride with Marvella if she can make it...she is in eastern Kentucky. As far as how to go about planning one of your own ... pick a place, pick a time - they will come.

Rannie, you know I'm not actually sure the herb lady even grows any of her own herbs...remember is was a wild herb walk...and she was teaching not only how to identify them but how and when to gather them. And...every wild herb she showed us there is currently growing on our land ... so you can come over and gather anytime you wish That is of course if you trust me to remember which ones she said to leave alone and which are safe. I've been using her list and marking our Edible Weeds book...so we'll have pictures to be on the safe side.

Don...I was going to tease you about not being your wife of mother...but decided against it. Of course, if you want me make a list of who said they are bringing what I'll be happy to...it's what I do.

Only 103 days left to plan and prepare....

Hugs
marlene

__________________
It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

Marlene, Marlvella is in Tennessee....guess your geography is off a bit??

__________________
I support our troops, I love my country, but fear my government.....

OOps, sorry Marvella....I was trying to remember if it was Tennessee or Kentucky and picked the wrong one...at least I got the part of the state correct didn't I? Eastern... not too far from North Carolina??

Only 102 more days....

Hugs
Marlene

__________________
It is the one with persistence and determination that brings great ideas into being.

Is the Buffalo River area a good place to buy land for homesteading?
What is gardening like there?

Should I post a separate post, or can I ask here?

102 days will put the next one in August or September?

Urban.

Is the Buffalo River area a good place to buy land for homesteading?

I thought so. The Buffalo River was what originally attracted me to this area.

What is gardening like there?

Great. Long growing season, and you can grow a wide variety of crops here.

Should I post a separate post, or can I ask here?

Ask here is fine.

102 days will put the next one in August or September?

September 8th, 9th, and 10th, 2006

__________________
"I don't want everyone to like me; I should think less of myself if some people did."
— Henry James

making a mental note to get a sub for that weekend right as soon as school starts.........

__________________
Let a smile be your umbrella against the thunderstorms of life.
have a great day.
when i call on Jesus, all things are possible.