Tuesday, September 29, 2009

The Common Ground Fair


In the last weekend of September, fifty thousand people descend on a small organic farm in Unity, Maine to celebrate rural living, local crafts, sustainable lifestyles and local farming.

Hand made ladders: more bars in more places.

Curing a deer hide in preparation for tanning a hide with mayonnaise. He got the half moon on his left index finger from a casual, "slaughtering a chicken."

Chop Chop, these axes were used to shape beams.

This guy is the real deal. The Maine Guide badge denotes his title and his Maine Hunting shoes complement his Johnson Woolmills digs.

Chestnuts roasting on the opening fire.

The Maine Hunting Shoe was all over the place. I want a pair!

Well loved.

This guy has probably slept outside a night or two; all wool and leather, a pair of Quoddys and a bow drill.

This team makes barns and other structures without nails, using only hand cut beams.



This single beveled broad axe is used for putting the finishing touches on each beam.

Hand-made snowshoes and canoe paddles.

I want one so badly.

I love the Common Ground Fair because it reminds me of a life without computers and iPhones.


14 comments:

L.A.S said...

The Maine hunting boot is so awesome...those purple laces add a unexpected, yet lovely accent to the rugged and weathered boot.

tons of land said...

that looks awesome. i'm jealous.

Foster Huntington said...

I like the purple laces too, nice contrasts. Common ground fair is the most amazing place i have been in maine.
Foster

Greg said...

Wonderful pictures.
Nothing like getting back to basics. The Maine Hunting Shoe is by far the greatest piece of winter footwear i own, its a marvelous boot.

NSW said...

love the "more bars in more places shot"

plaidout said...

I sent this to my dad. He built a canvas canoe in college. He said, "Huh, look at all those Bean Boots. Must be in Maine."

Foster Huntington said...

It certainly was in Maine. the common ground fair is maine. Does your dad still have his canoe max?
Foster

Anonymous said...

Hand-building a barn without nails and using your own lumber you cut yourself out of logs...that's just...well, badass.

jill said...

Restless Transplant!!!! I had a hunch you'd be at the Fair. We were bombing around the grounds on Saturday and I wondered if you were wandering too and if I'd somehow recognize you without ever having met you! I really love your blog, your picts of maine, your soft spot for old LL Bean gear, and really getting out there and exploring the state you're going to college in!

i just posted some picts of our time at the fair today on my blog--www.thisblogifollow.blogspot.com

enjoy!

Anonymous said...

a friend just sent me a link to your blog, and i'm really enjoying it.

cheers.

Memphis88 said...

I like the lacing technique on the purple laced MHSs. You are getting some really good wear out of those blucher mocs. I thought mine were pretty well worn in and I've had mine for a year.

Unknown said...

Unfortunately you can't take a picture of the smell of sweet annie at common grounds. one of the best parts. awesome photos. wish i had gone this year.

Sildenafil said...

This is the life style I like I was there and that was amazing seeing all those hermits working so hard in that event named Sildenafil Citrate it was perfect.

Forged documents said...

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