Take a Thermos of Coffee into the Forest and Cook Something Up

Stephen is driving. He's a farmer. Heather and Brad are up front, too. They raise pigs. Throw the Gimme guy in back. He'll be okay.

We're going off the grid.

Follow the creek. Usually a good idea.

Hey, there's some people! And a handmade house.

Is that the trailer's country cousin? What's going on back there?

Something's cooking in a copper kettle. Bubble bubble toil and trouble.

We're making apple butter! Thea takes a turn.

Stephen says it's a tradition. Every holiday season they boil apples in cider.

The kettle swings like a bell.

You keep the flames rolling 6 hours or more.

"Moonshine" rules the roost.

Stephen savors the Guatemala Organic. After tromping around in the snow, that first sip was deep chocolate cockles.

Cores galore.

My kind of resort.

Homemade home.

Cold shower, anyone?

Time kind of stops out here.

Why do I think Blair Witch Project?

These headphones only play one song... Rhapsody in Chainsaw.

Fuel for winter. No electricity or plumbing.

All in all, a great visit to the homestead of Stephen's big brother, James. Both guys are apple orchard men, just like their dad.

James was instrumental in the creation of the Ithaca Farmer's Market. Stephen owns Indian Creek Farm and Cummins Nursery. Heather and Brad own The Piggery.

When we started our trip, I had been pondering the connections to Gimme. Then we found this at James' place.