This Land
Ben Ashby
Story & Photography by Melissa McArdle | FOLK: Best Of
This story originally appeared in the Winter 2012 issue of FOLK
This is a story, a true story about our land, our hills, our rivers, our America. It seems in today’s world, we do not connect enough with the glorious land that our country is so blessed to call home. Often times, we all just need a little reminder to kick-start the deep love that sits nestled within our hearts for this bountiful land beneath our feet, providing food for our tables, and resources for our survival: this land we proudly salute as the United States of America.
So imagine this, a cabin built by the hands of two settlers in the late 1930’s. A place which never found a marker upon a map, no address, no utilities, just a place to call home a few weeks out of the year, a place far from society, and any modern conveniences that were or ever would be available. Located in Northern California near the border of Oregon, this log cabin has been passed down from one generation to the next. A hobby of fishing turned into a legacy of preserving and remaining one with nature.
This story came about because a friend procured the help of another friend in restoring a deck. What seemed a simple request turned into a list of must-do’s before actually arriving at the cabin. By foot, one must walk 6.5 miles over mountain passes and streams in order to reach the desired destination. Horses or mules are used to carry up to 150 pounds of food and supplies. Once there, one arrives at what some might consider nirvana: a place of solitude surrounded by pristine nature. A land mostly untouched still offering its magnificent gifts of sustainability in the purest form.
The milling of a 150-year-old Douglas Fir (which had fallen in a 2008 fire) into new deck planks is how the restoration began. Two days of laborious work rebuilding a deck which overlooks crystal clear water filled with an abundance of fish. Water so pure, one can fill their cup and drink right there on the spot. Imagine the stars which blanket the sky from one horizon to the next, no artificial lights to outshine the magic of the night. Sleeping bags offer the best night’s sleep on the newly restored deck with an extended roof-line to shield from the occasional downpour that passes through from time to time. Sounds of tree frogs, a swooshing river below, and the freshest air offered only by a remote wilderness are the elements gathered to lull one into a deep slumber.
It is places like this that need to be cherished and remain untouched. In a time when many do not even know where their food or materials come from, it is reassuring to connect with stories, places and people who offer the link to what America used to be: a land that was cared for, nourished and maintained in every aspect, for there was a bond between man and land, a bond of respect for the resources provided and used. Nothing was wasted and every use was carefully planned and considered in regards to the end-result. A cause and effect for past, present and future inhabitants is a thought process which should still be upheld by one and all.
America is full of bountiful secrets, mountains, rivers, forests and valleys that are brimming with inspiration. These gems of nature are this country’s pride and joy, and as with any precious gift, it must be handled with the utmost respect and care. Let’s follow the lead of past generations, and learn to live as one with the land, for the roots of America is a true story worth fighting for.
