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deleted
7 Posts |
 Posted - 03/25/2009 : 13:15:09
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Alone in the Wilderness by Dick Proenneke
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This is a great video of a man moving to the Alaska wilderness and surviving with just basic hand tools, living there for over 30 years.
The Youtube video doesn't do it justice. Most public libraries have copies of it.
THE MAN AND HIS MISSION:
Dick moved to Alaska and built his log home in 1968, when he was 51 years old. He had a real mission in mind; he wanted to build himself a log home – working completely alone with only hand tools. He lived there in retirement for 27 years (he passed away in 2003 at age 86).
BUILDING HIS LOG HOME:
Dick Proenneke moved to Twin Lakes Alaska he broke ground on his log home project right away. That was in May, and finished his log home 3 short months later in July. It took him just 10 days to erect the shell of his log home. He was working completely alone during that time and because he had no power Dick only used basic hand tools to build his log home; hand saw, hammer, chisel, pliers, hoe, shovel, knife, auger and really not much else.
MAKING HIS FURNITURE:
Dick made all his own log furniture from scratch – a bed, table, and nightstand.
COSTS OF HIS LOG HOME:
Dick was a very frugal guy. He used almost all natural materials, such as moss for his roof, and oakum for chinking. The only store brought items that he used were plastic sheathing for the roof, and premixed concrete for his fireplace. It's been estimated that his finished log home cost him no more than $100 to build. That is a really impressive figure, and maybe it helps explain why he could retire a little early.
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Edited by - Nickelless on 03/26/2009 13:24:59 |
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pennypincher
Penny Sorter Member
67 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2009 : 13:56:35
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| Very interesting. I just happened to stumble upon this on PBS, who just aired this a few weeks ago. |
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deleted
7 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2009 : 14:00:30
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| Yup, that's when I first caught it too. |
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natsb88
Administrator
USA
1850 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2009 : 15:27:46
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I watched this a few years ago on PBS. At the time you could get a copy of it on DVD if you made a donation. I think I have it somewhere...
Anyway, it's an EXCELLENT documentary. I believe there is also a book on the same subject. Definitely worth watching. |
Nate
The Copper Cave
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Ant
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
894 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2009 : 16:54:33
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I've seen it on PBS too! It's been a few years since it's aired on our local affiliate.
Love that documentary. |
Lovely dimes, the liveliest coin, the one that really jingles. --Truman Capote
Coins are the metallic footprints of the history of nations. --William H. Woodin |
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"Alone in the Wilderness" by Dick Proenneke
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