Strange things found in the forest

[JRobyn]

Not too strange around these parts, but my wife found a 1/2 gal glass jug of moonshine with about 1/4 of it left. She's tasted it, but that's about all. Ain't no tellin what all might be in there!

 

[WoodChuckDad]

On some public hunting land, not too far from my house, there is a horse trail that goes by old homesite....hand made clay bricks that are falling apart now, mark the outline of what was once the cellar. Not too far from that site is an old family graveyard, completely overgrown. Some of the gravestones are ornate, although not what you would see in bigger more famous cemeteries in the city. Never got a bad feeling there. And on another property where I hunt, I have set up a chair next to a sunken grave from the late 1800s to try to ambush a turkey...never bothered by it...But about 10 years ago I was bowhunting (crossbow) on some public land and I was at least a mile from my truck....I stayed out till full on dark then started walking back...not unusual....but something spooked me...that feeling that something is right behind you. I had a head lamp on and I whipped around. Nothing. I heard something in the darkness. Probably a coyote but I was wound up tighter than a 2 dollar pocket watch. I could taste my own adrenaline and it was a long walk back to the truck. That area is closed to hunting now, since a housing development went in and they raised cain about people hunting near their homes....so public land just sits there. Inaccessable to the public. go figure.

 

[Redneck in training]

I found old car rotting in one of the ravines on our land. Also found broken New Idea sickle mower on back forty.

While mushroom hunting with my father back in Czechland we run into several large sweet cherry trees (loaded with cherries) in the forest. Apparently there used to be a house near by that was abandoned long time ago.

 

[Redneck in training]

On some public hunting land, not too far from my house, there is a horse trail that goes by old homesite....hand made clay bricks that are falling apart now, mark the outline of what was once the cellar. Not too far from that site is an old family graveyard, completely overgrown. Some of the gravestones are ornate, although not what you would see in bigger more famous cemeteries in the city. Never got a bad feeling there. And on another property where I hunt, I have set up a chair next to a sunken grave from the late 1800s to try to ambush a turkey...never bothered by it...But about 10 years ago I was bowhunting (crossbow) on some public land and I was at least a mile from my truck....I stayed out till full on dark then started walking back...not unusual....but something spooked me...that feeling that something is right behind you. I had a head lamp on and I whipped around. Nothing. I heard something in the darkness. Probably a coyote but I was wound up tighter than a 2 dollar pocket watch. I could taste my own adrenaline and it was a long walk back to the truck. That area is closed to hunting now, since a housing development went in and they raised cain about people hunting near their homes....so public land just sits there. Inaccessible to the public. go figure.

We live in the sticks so the background noise (especially in the winter) is often very low. While snow shoeing on back forty I had the feeling that I heard steps behind me. I turned around and nobody is there. Then it occurred to me that I was hearing rhythmical blood rushing to my brain. I bet that was what you were hearing. It sounds like somebody is walking in show or leaves.

 

[r porter]

this looks like they got tired of wrestling with it and just walked off

 

[bcp]

So that's where it landed!

Bruce

 

[rhunt]

Man that's one powerful bush hog! Looks like a v-6 or a 3 cylinder from the picture. Bob

 

[r porter]

if you know where to look you can count the plugs- all four.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I haven't found anything worth talking about, but one night something found me. Pretty sure it was a black bear that followed me home. I could see his eyes in my headlamp. There's no doubt he was stalking me.

Nice thing about wearing a headlamp vs. carrying a flashlight - the light is at the right angle to reflect off of the animal's retina so they show up at quite a distance. The forest can be a busy place after sundown.

 

[drizler]

View attachment 452805

What is that in the picture? Looks like a run in with a Brown Recluse

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

What is that in the picture? Looks like a run in with a Brown Recluse

Lighting strike exit hole (entry hole is probably more correct).

 

[fxdb96]

What do you suppose the structure is in the center of this old foundation?

 

[Paul Thornton]

Looks like the base for a fireplace.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

What do you suppose the structure is in the center of this old foundation?View attachment 487927

That is really neat. Did you take the picture? I also think I was a unique "foundation" for a center chimney fireplace.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Somehow I don't think it is for a fireplace. For one, I doubt a fireplace that old would be in the center of the room; more than likely it would be built into the wall. Secondly, I'm not sure the structure is even a dwelling. The dimensions are not what I would expect in a livable room. Lastly, although I wouldn't expect an intact chimney to survive a couple of centuries, I see no indication that a chimney ever existed.

What do they do in NH? Could it be the remains of an old syrup or sorghum mill?

 

[bcp]

Could it be the remains of an old syrup or sorghum mill?

Looking for some pictures, I fund this 1938 photo.


vintage everyday: Black and White Photos of West Virginia Coal Mine Life in 1938

Notice the guy on the left checking his text messages and not paying attention to the process.

Bruce

 

[Wagtail]

What do you suppose the structure is in the center of this old foundation?View attachment 487927

Not knowing the geographic location, although the trees suggest NE United States/Upper Canada through to NB, the central structure had to have been built to contain/protect something.

A WAG would be a semi-underground cool-storage building. The central structure would hold blocks of ice, covered in sawdust.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Sebago, Maine is my assumption. Remember, this is a cellar hole. The sill stones and timber sills are long gone and the floor has filled in some with leaves etc. The top of that center structure would have been the floor of the building. Very cool that it's still standing.

Center chimney is pretty common up here although you are right about it being a seemingly small building.

Edit: It is also neat to think that when that was built/dug, none of thoes trees arround it would've been there!

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Looking for some pictures, I fund this 1938 photo.

View attachment 487936
vintage everyday: Black and White Photos of West Virginia Coal Mine Life in 1938

Notice the guy on the left checking his text messages and not paying attention to the process.

Bruce

He seems to be fondling something in his pocket.

 

[fxdb96]

That is really neat. Did you take the picture? I also think I was a unique "foundation" for a center chimney fireplace.

Yep I took the picture... In Sebago. My initial thought was support structure for fireplace/chimney, however there are no signs of any chimney left. Also - that would be an awful rugged support for a chimney.

I plan on asking the historicak society. There is also an uncovered dug well lined with stone 50' away. Not sure how deep the well is because it is filled with leaves.

It is amazing to look at the timber around and wonder what it looked like back in the 1800s.