The Final Journey, Part Three: A Diary of a Journey Finished

By Larry D. Horton PhD

Dr. Hortonthe author of The Final Journey: A Diary of Survival, the first book in his survival trilogy, and The Final Journey, Part Two: A Diary of Building a New life, the second book in the trilogynow completes the characters year-long journey into the future. What began as purely an effort to survive in their dangerous world continues as the characters discover a clear and specific purpose for their lives. They struggle with the challenges of surviving in the harsh wilderness. They face threats to their existence. New relationships continue to grow. Danger, sorrow, tears, joy, understanding, service, and fulfilment fill their days. Clarity of what it costs them to live their lives trusting and having faith in their Lord, Jesus Christ, grows. They discover themselves in the midst of their harsh new world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781973624615

Larry D. Horton PhD

Dr. Larry D. Horton, PhD, best-selling WestBow Press author, survivalist, missionary, Old Testament professor, historian, cross-cultural scholar, and business executive, has spent his life studying and experiencing spiritual and professional survival in our increasingly chaotic world. A graduate of Grove City College, Asbury Theological Seminary, and Michigan State University, he now spends his life practicing and sharing common sense life survival knowledge and skills in our uncertain world. He lives with his wife, Jude, in Katy TX. They have three children, five grandchildren, and their four legged children, Sadie and Sophie.

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Copyright © 2018 Larry D. Horton, PhD.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-9736-2462-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-2463-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-2461-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018903894

WestBow Press rev. date: 04/02/2018

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Picture of Cabin in Snow Covered Forest

CONTENTS

Section 1:

Dedication

The Author

Author’s Purpose

Acknowledgement

Foreword

Introduction The Final Journey, Part Three: A Diary Of A Journey Finished

Section 2: October: Cabin Build, Servanthood, Threats

Section 3: November: Sorrow, Rebuilding, Thanksgiving

Section 4: December: Danger, Preparation, Celebration

Section 5: January: A New Year, Hope, Faith, Preparation

Section 6: The Final Journey: Reflections!

Section 7: Author’s Note

An Eternal Choice: Which Gate Will You Choose?

The Lord Jesus Christ Reigns!

Coming In 2019 And 2020: Tribulation Journey

Suggested Reading

DEDICATION

With heartfelt gratitude, this third book in the Final Journey trilogy is dedicated to my wife, Jude, our children, and our grandchildren. Their lives are the reason I have set out on this fictional journey. Their patience, questions, suggestions, and constant support have made it possible for this journey to be written.

It is also dedicated to our families and long-gone ancestors who chose to put their eternal hope in the only lasting source of life, purpose, and security, Jesus Christ; to those who had the courage to stand up to every danger and trial, always trusting that their life path would be guided by God’s word, prayer, and unwavering courage to walk into the unknown; to those who wait now in life or in death for the day when the trumpet will sound and they will live again in an eternal world. Thank you for showing us your eternal hope. Thank you, that even as imperfect human beings, you never wavered in your living as your Lord Jesus Christ wanted you to live. We follow willingly. We will serve faithfully, just as you did. To God be the glory forever.

Those who have gone before us!

For out of Jerusalem will go forth a remnant

and out of Mt. Zion survivors.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

(Isaiah 37:32)

THE AUTHOR

Dr. Larry D. Horton, best-selling WestBow Press author, survivalist, missionary, Old Testament professor, historian, cross-cultural scholar, and business executive, has spent his life studying and experiencing spiritual and professional survival in our increasingly chaotic world. A graduate of Grove City College, Asbury Theological Seminary, and Michigan State University, he now spends his life practicing and sharing common-sense life survival knowledge and skills in our uncertain world. He lives with his wife, Jude, in Katy, Texas. They have three children, five grandchildren, and their four-legged children, Sadie and Sophie.

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A Picture of our little family

AUTHOR’S PURPOSE

Dr. Horton, the author of The Final Journey: A Diary of Survival, the first book in his survival trilogy, and The Final Journey Part Two: A Diary of Building a New Life, the second volume, now completes the characters’ year-long journey into the future. What began as purely an effort to survive in their dangerous world continues as they discover a clear and specific purpose for their lives. They struggle with the challenges of surviving in the harsh wilderness. They face threats to their existence. New relationships continue to grow. Danger, sorrow, tears, joy, understanding, service, and fulfillment fill their days. Clarity increases about what it costs them to live their lives trusting and having faith in their Lord, Jesus Christ. They discover themselves in the midst of their harsh new world.

Dr. Horton and his wife, Jude, their Christian faith undergirding their commitment to serving a lost world, pray that the message of this third book in the trilogy, The Final Journey, Part Three: A Diary of a Journey Finished, will help others come to a clear answer to a simple question: What will be required to survive in a fallen and dangerous world?

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am indeed grateful to Zak Helewa of WestBow Press, for his support and patience with me.

Throughout my life journey, countless individuals have mentored, taught, listened to, and prodded me not to be satisfied with just good enough but insisted that I risk, step out of the ordinary, and trust that my path would be clearly shown to me through my faith in my Lord. It would take many pages to list the names of those individuals, but a few must be mentioned: my uncle, the Rev. Ronald L. Chitester (deceased), who ministered with passion to those many small country churches in western Pennsylvania; Dr. J. T. Seamands (deceased), my missions-professor at Asbury Theological Seminary, who had the courage to take twenty-one seminary students to India to study the church and missions in the country of his birth; Dr. Ted Ward (deceased), my graduate study chairman, who built a small informal theological seminary within a major secular university, who expanded my world and never doubted that his investment in me would not go to waste.

Over the years, countless other individuals, colleagues, friends, and just ordinary people, lived their lives around me, unknowingly witnessing to the power of faith. They created a world around me in which I could listen, learn, observe, and dream of what it meant to truly be in the center of God’s will. I am grateful for my parents and grandparents, whose lives modeled living by a set of values that are eternal. Their faith, love, and commitment to family provided a model of what our Lord would have us do as parents and family.

I thank those who are closest to me—above all, my wife, Jude, the strongest woman I know. Her unwavering belief in me, even when I fall far short of being the husband she deserves, has given me strength to tackle even the most difficult tasks. She is my partner, my helper, and my greatest prod to never accept second best. I truly love her with all my heart. Our children, my sons Chris and Josh and my stepdaughters Kelli and Stacy, are our greatest human love. Stacy went to be with the Lord when she was just five, but she lives in our hearts each day. Our children are our legacy for the future. They hold in their hands the lives of our grandchildren and the future that they will create.

Most important, I am and will be eternally grateful to my Lord, Jesus Christ, who provides me with my salvation through His death on the cross and resurrection into eternal life. My life is His to do with as He pleases. To God Be the Glory Forever and Ever!

Larry D. Horton, PhD

Sunday, June 4, 2017

FOREWORD

Review & Comments by Mykel Hawke

Capt. (Retired) U.S Special Forces, Global Survival Expert

I can honestly say that this trilogy is absolutely brilliant!

First, it’s just downright good storytelling, keeping me enthralled chapter by chapter. Second, it is properly educational, teaching many sound survival principles everyone should know, in my humble opinion. Third, it also tackles what I consider to be simultaneously the most difficult and the simplest of challenges we will face in a mass disaster or large-scale conflict situation—challenges of faith, hope, and belief in the face of some of humanity’s most brutal realities, when some people would choose the most cruel and vile conduct under the guise of expedient survival. And finally, it shows a way that humanity can restore the balance and return to a way of peace—in fact, maybe even a more peaceful place than we’ve ever known—all made possible only because of the calamity endured.

-In short, this trilogy is a story of inspiration and hope as much as it edifies, entertains, and educates. It inspires, and the world needs more books like this.

I, for one, am thankful for this author, Larry D. Horton, PhD, his journey, his faith, and his story.

–––––––––––––––––-

Mykel Hawke is a father, grandfather, husband, retired Special Forces officer, combat veteran, and survival teacher. He is perhaps better known for his TV shows, books, and products in the survival space, but Myke considers his primary passion to be teaching (when he’s not fishing).

www.mykelhawke.com

INTRODUCTION

THE FINAL JOURNEY, PART THREE:

A DIARY OF A JOURNEY FINISHED

Eight and a-half months have passed since we pulled out of our driveway in Texas on January 21, in the early morning hours. We already knew that our survival journey would be filled with unknown challenges, risks, dangers, joys, and possibly even some heartache. If we had known then what we would experience during these past months, we still would have launched out into our new future. Maybe it was better that we didn’t know what the future held. We do know one thing for certain, however. Our strength to endure through those first months did not come from any human capabilities, skills, or strength. Strength came from the one who gave us our life path to walk. We walked, and we continue to walk today, in that path—the path prepared for us by our Lord.

Now as we begin to record, in our third diary, the next four months of our new life, we have a new home. We continue to face daily struggles. We have built close friendships with other people of faith to our north. Our friendship with my seminary doctor friend and his wife will continue to grow and deepen. The small communities of like-minded folks, one north of us and one to the south, will provide us opportunity to practice servanthood. We hope to see the expansion of those communities.

We will begin to prepare for a new year full of much hard work. We will begin a new cycle of what will be required of us to survive. Change will happen. We will change. Our future will be influenced by things we cannot control. Much will be required of us that we have never done before. We will celebrate, we will cry, we will have aches and pains, we will have successes and opportunities to improve. There will be questions for which we will have no answers. We will come to a more complete understanding of why our lives have been led to the mountains and wilderness of west-central Pennsylvania.

We choose to survive. We choose to walk the path that was laid before us. We choose to trust in the one who gave us life. We will face and deal with many unknowns. We accept the challenges that will come to us. Our faith and trust in our Lord will ultimately determine our success or failure. It is our prayer that our lives will not be lived in vain. We share our lives so that others may find their own ultimate purpose.

You will make known to me

the path of life.

(Psalm 16:11)

OCTOBER: CABIN BUILD, SERVANTHOOD, THREATS

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Picture of Preparing to Wash Feet

For I am convinced that neither death,

nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,

nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing,

will be able to separate us from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 8:38–39)

A Journey Finished Diary: Entry #1

October 1

Dog alarm clocks woke us up this morning. Their noses were really cold. Outside they went. Looked at temp and it had not dropped during the night, was still 39 degrees. Very few clouds in the sky, wind coming from the south, might be beginning of the warming trend NOAA weather has predicted. If so, will be great for the cabin build planned for this week up north.

Fire started in the hearth, water boiling, quick cup of sassafras tea first thing. Made some flatbread out of 100 percent acorn flour. Experiment and see how it turns out. Boiled rice with a good helping of dried beef. Last thing started was to put a small pot of pinto beans to simmer beside fire. Will use those to make a veggie soup for supper tonight. Dogs had come back inside and were sitting on bear rug in front of fire. Everything cooked, we sat down to eat. Becoming more obvious that I needed to make us a bigger table. Dogs got rice, dried beef, and small portion of dry dog food. A bit of cleanup and we were ready to get busy.

First thing, dogs and I made trip to spring for water and to look for critter tracks by garden and in old field to the south. Lots of tracks. Took a while to fill up water pot after breaking through ice in spring. Snow was melting a bit. We might face a very wet, slippery, and muddy trip to the north for cabin build. Over breakfast we had decided to leave for the north community midmorning tomorrow. Will get us there a day earlier than we had communicated but don’t think that will be a problem.

Back at cabin, we settled in front of hearth. It’s Sunday and we wanted to have our little family worship time before getting after today’s tasks. Prayer for the week ahead and for safety of everyone involved. We prayed for a safe journey north. Reread the scriptures we will be using for Bible study and worship service next weekend. Done, our first job was to cull out supplies and resources from our stores that we will give to the young man up north to help get him established in his new home. Much of the stuff was given to us earlier. We decided to pass it on to someone who needs it more than we do. Plan is to load up the sledge with stuff and our packs. Sledge probably weighs forty pounds itself. Will put no more than sixty pounds of stuff on it. If snow still on ground, will pull easier. If no snow, will be a task to pull it. Secretly, I hope the snow will not melt.

While wife gathered stuff to pack, and materials to take for the young man, the dogs and I went out squirrel hunting on the east side of the creek. Lots of deer sign. Tracked north along east bank of creek, picking up snare traps as we went. Don’t want them to sit for almost a week without being tended. If left there, and they trap something, it will likely only be food for a larger critter. Dogs started going crazy as we approached last trap. Found a good-sized raccoon in it. Quickly dispatched, field-dressed, and into pouch in hunting vest. Will make a good supper tonight and breakfast in the morning before we leave. Energy and protein. Dogs knew what it means for them, a heart to share.

Made our way back to cabin. Skinned critter and hung both skin and carcass on butchering pole. Glad had put pole in trees a good seventy-five yards from cabin. No need to tempt other critters if too close to the cabin; just one more security issue. Wife had finished gathering her stuff. Dogs and I made another water run while she started to boil water for lunch. Back, she already had rice, dried beef, and some dried veggies, all cooking together. Smell of coffee was really good. We sat down to a great soup lunch. Hungry dogs got more than usual. I cooked up raccoon heart and they were very happy. Dishes cleaned, another water run, and back to cabin to finish trip preparations.

Spent couple hours culling out stuff for young man. Packed five pounds raw acorn meats, ten pounds cattail flour, ten pounds acorn flour, ten pounds venison jerky, and five pounds pinto beans in burlap sack to put on sledge. Added fifty feet of rope, three pair of wool socks, one union suit, assorted bandages, three fire tins, a towel and washcloth, one bar of soap, twenty feet of fishing line and assorted hooks, four door hinges, and a bottle of assorted over-the-counter pain meds. When done, had about sixty pounds of stuff for sledge. That means my wife and I will tote our packs, kits, weapons, utility and ammo belts, and canteens. At least we will not have to fight dogs on leashes.

That completed, I separated out clothing I will take. Since we will be gone close to a week, wife and I prepared as if we were not going to return to cabin. That meant also packing sleeping bags, tarp, rope, cord, cold weather gear, med kits, fire kits, blades, weapons, utility and ammo belts, EDCs, emergency food for a week, and cold weather stuff for the dogs. In reality, we packed the same way we did before starting out on our original survival journey. To be honest, we don’t trust the NOAA weather report. We are in mountains and our weather might be drastically different. All of this packing took the afternoon.

Just after 4 PM split raccoon carcass in half and started it to slow roast in our hearth fire. Smell drove dogs crazy. One more trip to spring. Plan is to boil water all evening to make sure canteens are full tomorrow. Sat down to a good meal of roasted raccoon and cornmeal flatbread. Cup of sassafras tea to finish. Dogs each got good portion of meat and bread. They were in heaven. Quick cleanup.

We had decided earlier to spend the evening planning our hike and reviewing the Bible study and worship service stuff for next weekend. Sat by light of lantern and carefully went over our material. We sort of rehearsed what we will say. It makes sense to us. Just hope it will be meaningful to everyone else. Before it got too dark I secured everything outside. We spent quite a bit of time in prayer asking the Lord to keep us safe, to bless the cabin build this week, to give the young man comfort and strength to continue, and to use us as we start to dig deeply into the idea of servanthood with our friends.

Dogs, with full tummies, hit the sack pretty early. We followed quickly. Quite a bit of small talk as we drifted off. We look forward to the coming days of work and community.

And we know that God causes all things to work

together for good to those who love God,

to those who are called according to His purpose.

(Romans 8:28)

A Journey Finished Diary: Entry #2

October 2

Woke up in the middle of the night. Hit me that needed to make sure to pack bowsaw, maul, and snowshoes onto sledge before leaving later. Checked outside temp and it was 36 degrees, with very few clouds in sky. Would likely get into the forties today. Brought second half of raccoon meat into cabin, started fire in hearth, and put meat on hearth spit. Wife was up and getting rest of breakfast ready, including pinto bean soup. Boiled enough water to do a good hygiene wash, fill canteens, and make cup of hot pine needle tea. Dogs outside, but not for long. They knew breakfast was being prepared.

Decided to take part of the cooked meat with us, cut up into chunks, to serve as lunch for us while walking. We had no idea how long it was going to take to arrive at northern location. Meat finally done, we settled down for a hearty breakfast. Cooked enough rice so that we would have enough of a meal to give us strength and warmth when we headed out. Cleaned dishes and packed nesting pieces in our backpacks. Dogs outside running around. They seemed to know something was up. Pulled sledge to front of cabin and loaded it up. Packs and kits all ready to go. Some snow still remains, so hoped would make pulling sledge easier.

By 9 AM had everything loaded, fire out in hearth, windows and doors secured and locked. We said a prayer for traveling mercies and headed out. It was going to get warm pulling and carrying all of the stuff. Had no expectations on how long trip will take; just started out with the idea that we will take our time and travel safely. Once dogs got sense of general direction we were heading, they were off at a run. We knew we would find them waiting for us at the old lean-to site. Once there they took off for the Forest Service road. Took us a good hour and a half to reach the road. Stopped several times, sweating like a fish. Dogs antsy to keep going, but we stopped for a good break at the road. We finally started north at a slow pace. Still had four miles to go before reaching our friends.

After we had gone about a mile north, we heard the sound of ATVs behind us. Pulled off the road into some cover to see what was coming. Recognized our doctor friend, his wife, and two other guys on another ATV. Waved them down and after hugs and greetings our load became a bit easier. Attached the sledge behind one of the two ATVs, to follow the trailer it was pulling. Slowed the procession down a bit but sure made our effort a lot easier. After another ninety minutes, we turned left down the path to northern friend’s cabin. As we arrived, they came out to greet everyone. They were surprised we were there a day early but glad we had been able to come more quickly than planned. Friend offered us, the doctor, and his wife their cabin as our base. We did not turn down that invitation. Other two guys headed down path to next cabin about three-quarters of a mile away and said they would be back after unpacking.

Lunch was soon on the table and the six of us sat down to a good meal. Our raccoon meat was added to the table. Lots of good conversation about the cabin build plan that starts tomorrow. Then we heard some news that we did not want to hear. Our friend’s neighbors, in the next cabin to the west, had an incident with two bears. An adult female and one young cub had tried to get into their food storage shed a couple nights ago. They had seen the two bears in the dim evening light. A plan had been hatched that would be put into motion as soon as the rest of us arrived from the south.

The bear tracks had been followed yesterday morning to a stream where the bears obviously got water. Several pieces of meat had been hung in trees around the watering hole as bait for the bears. As soon as we all were ready, the plan was to stake out the meat and watering hole, then wait until the evening to see if the bears were drawn there. The plan was to take up positions in trees above the water and meat and wait for an opportunity to kill the bears. We all agreed to be involved. It was a couple-mile hike to the site, so immediately after eating, we all armed ourselves and headed out. We stopped at neighboring cabin and four more men joined us.

At the watering hole, we spaced ourselves out about thirty yards apart in trees, each with a clear thirty to forty-yard shot. With that we sat in our tree perches and waited. Sat there from 3 PM until shortly before 5 PM, when we heard and then saw the two bears coming from the other side of the small creek toward the meat bait. Hard to see completely but they were soon under the hanging meat trying to pull it out of the trees. When eight rifles all fired at once it made us all jump. The bears did not stand a chance. One did run off about twenty yards before collapsing. The other dropped where it was shot. Each animal had one more shot put into the back of its head to make sure it was dead.

After confirming that they were indeed dead, two of the guys headed back to the nearest cabin to get ATVs to haul the bears to our friend’s cabin. The rest of us stayed at the creek side and field-dressed both bears. One was a full-grown adult female, probably three hundred pounds in weight. The other was a yearling, likely a hundred and fifty pounds. When the ATVs arrived, both bears had been dressed. With a lot of huffing and puffing they were loaded onto the trailers behind each ATV. Younger guys walked back east to cabin. We old folks got to ride. A successful hunt. Another danger done away with.

Back at cabin, took all eight men to get the two bears hung from friend’s butchering pole. They will hang there until men who stay behind during cabin build first day skin them. Cold enough that they will be fine tonight with hides left on them. Group decided that both bearskins would go to the young man who had lost his wife. The meat will be quartered, some cut up into jerky-sized pieces, some made into roasts, and of course the ribs. Will start smoking all of it tomorrow in friend’s smokehouse. Wives will keep an eye on it while men work on the cabin build to the north.

Close to 8 PM when the bear stuff was completed. Had worked the last couple hours on it, all wearing headband LED lights. Almost had too many hands involved. Right at 8 PM wives had a simple supper of rice, veggies, homemade bread and jam, and lots of hot coffee. Temp outside was in the high thirties. After eating, group from cabin to the west hopped on ATVs and headed there for the night. The six of us staying in friend’s cabin planned work for tomorrow. Other group, with their wives, will be back at 7 AM in the morning, bringing breakfast for the whole crew. Plan is for the men to eat and then head up to site of cabin build. We will work in shifts, with two men staying back at base cabin to provide security for wives. One ATV will be left at base cabin. Rest can haul equipment and team to the build site. Will repeat the process for the next four or five days. Young man insists on going to build site even though he knows there’s not much he can do to help. He is recovering well, but his leg has not healed enough for him to attempt much.

Should mention that our two dogs, friend’s two blue-tick hounds, and one Lab from other cabin spent the day running around in circles. They all plopped down on one rug near fire and were quickly asleep. They are good buds; old home week for them. We know there is no way we can keep them from going with us in morning short of putting them on leashes. Finished the day with prayer and scripture reading. Read verses wife and I are going to use on the weekend. Friends all think they are right on target. A quick hygiene wash and everyone hit the sack, the men on the floor, the wives on the beds. Watch over us, Lord, give us strength; thank you for your protection once again.

I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,

and I am saved from my enemies.

(Psalm 18:3)

A Journey Finished Diary: Entry #3

October 3

Cold wet noses were the alarm clock for those of us sleeping on the floor. That and two paws on my chest with a wet tongue licking my face. Once satisfied that men were awake, dogs headed to beds and repeated process with wives. Then they were out the door, all barking and baying, headed into the woods to chase something. 6:45 AM and ATVs pulled up to cabin. Ladies ran in carrying pots and bags, our breakfast. Everyone pitched in to get it on table. Dried scrambled eggs, bacon, and some of the fresh bread from yesterday. Again, lots of hot coffee.

As we ate, it was decided that two of the wives would head to build site around noon with team’s lunch. Would be cold but knew we would need the energy it would provide. Outside temp again was 38 degrees. Lots of sunshine, soft breeze blowing from south. Weather was cooperating. 7:30 AM, work crew set out on ATVs. Would take ninety minutes to get to site. Agreed to work until dark, probably around 5 PM, then head back for the night. After group prayer for safety of wives at base cabin and for the work crew, we set out to the north with dogs running beside us.

Pulled into site shortly before 9 AM. We would have a good seven hours of work time. A surprise greeted those of us that had only arrived yesterday. Over the past few weeks, northern group had cleared and leveled site where cabin would be built. They had also built eight stone pillars that the cabin would sit on. With winter coming on, no time to build a full stone foundation. Gaps would be filled in the spring. They gave us southerners a quick tour of site. Cabin would be twelve feet by fourteen feet. More than enough for one person to be comfortable. And a reasonable size for the eight men to build in five days. Northern crew had hauled enough stone to build a hearth and chimney. Told us they had found a large grove of thirty to forty-foot pines about half a mile to the north. They would be primary source of timber for cabin.

Over supper last night had divided eight-man team into sub-teams with specific tasks. Two would work on chimney build. Other six would work on cutting all the timber they could today. The ATVs would be used to drag the logs to the build site. I don’t know where it came from, but between the north and south group, several bags of quick-drying premixed concrete were provided. Several had already been used to build stone foundation support pillars. The rest would be used to build chimney and hearth and to chink chimney and log end walls. Would take time for it to set in cold weather, but sunshine would help curing process. Two of us, myself included, along with the young man, were assigned to do the chimney build. Rest took off with chain saws, buck saws, axes, chains, and rope and headed to the pine grove. During the day, we could just barely hear the chain saws cutting.

First part of chimney was to build a solid stone platform on which the hearth and chimney would set. Northern crew had already staked out cabin dimensions and tied string between poles at each cabin corner; that showed us where the chimney foundation needed to be built and where hearth would be laid when cabin floor was in place. We built the foundation, stone by stone, using cement. Did a lot of plumb bobbing to make sure it was square. First step was to dig down into ground and start building upward from the bottom. That would be much more secure than just setting it on surface of ground that had been leveled.

At 11:30 AM heard ATV coming in from south with our lunch. They dropped ours off and headed up to pine grove to deliver food to that crew. Waved as they drove by us heading back south to base cabin. Lunch was heated up jerky sandwiches and coffee. Was warm when we got ours, so hit the spot. Ate quickly and got back at work. By 4:30 PM had chimney foundation built up to planned cabin floor level. Won’t do much more on it until cabin walls of logs are in place. Need to be sure stone chimney fits the wall correctly. Once end-wall is done, will cut hole in wall for hearth, then finish build out of hearth and chimney. Finished chimney has to reach a minimum of two feet above surface of roof. Three feet will be even better if possible.

A few minutes before 5 PM log crew picked us up on ATVs, and we headed back to base cabin. Dogs had stayed with us chimney builders all day. They now ran on ahead of ATVs, knowing where we were all headed. Once arrived, all the building crew washed up really well, treated all nicks, cuts, and the like, and talked about progress made during the day.

Back in main cabin room, wives showed us what they had been doing all day. They had organized everything that everyone had brought for the young man. It took up one-fourth of floor space and was a pile four-feet high. He will have a great start at setting up his home. Supper smelled wonderful. Ladies had two large bear roasts that had been cooking for several hours, with powdered mashed potatoes, boiled veggies from friend’s garden, a couple of fresh berry pies, and again lots of hot coffee. Much prayer of thanks for meal and safety today.

Two guys that had stayed at base cabin to provide security had spent the day cutting the two bear carcasses into sections. All the meat was hanging on pole outside. Will freeze tonight. Chimney crew reported on progress. Timber cutting crew reported they had cut enough trees to build all four cabin walls up to roof level. Planned tomorrow as we talked. Three ATVs will drag logs to build site. Three men will begin to cut logs to size and prepare them for laying. Once all logs at site, half crew will work on cutting planks for floor and roof. Other half of the crew will begin notching the ends of right length logs for the main walls. Plan is to notch them in same way old toy Lincoln logs were notched when we were all kids. Walls will be built in jigsaw fashion, attaching the walls with those log end notches. First level of logs laid will be cross studs onto which flooring planks will be nailed.

We figured will take us three days to get walls built, another day to put floor and roof in place. Chimney will be finished when floor and roof are laid, and then will start chinking between logs. Roof will be covered with rough boards, then tar paper, then a temporary tarp to help with snow and water over the first winter. We raised one question about the plan. Where did the tar paper come from? Doctor friend grinned. He had made two trips up from the south over the last few weeks hauling enough tar paper in trailer behind his ATV to do the job. The tar paper was left over from the last time he had put it on his barn.

Meal finished, planning discussion over, we all decided to hit the sack as early as possible. We will try to get to build site earlier tomorrow. Head that way by 6:30 AM if at all possible. Each cabin will have breakfast for those staying at the individual locations. We at base cabin will wait for others from nearby cabins to get to us and then head out together. Lunch will be same as yesterday, delivered around noon. Young man will stay with ladies to provide their security. All able-bodied men will hit the workload. Group had time of prayer and scripture, then separated to individual cabins. Dogs exhausted again from all the running around. Everyone asleep within five minutes of lying down. Not a sound all night except for a lot of exhausted snoring.

Lord, give us strength and protection through the night and into tomorrow. As I drifted off to sleep, with both dogs on the floor with me, I marveled at how well our community is working with each other. It is sad that it took the situation in the world, and in our country, to drive us all to this. At the same time, I am grateful for it. The servant life truly honors our Lord.

I have set the Lord continually before me;

Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

(Psalm 16:8)

A Journey Finished Diary: Entry #4

October 4

Everyone was up long before the sun came up. Dogs outside running around. Quick breakfast of powdered eggs, bacon, and coffee. ATVs from other cabins showed up at 6:15 AM. We were off to the build site by 6:30 AM. Just a bit of sunlight poking over the mountains to the east. Everyone and all our equipment loaded, we headed out. Young man stayed back for security for ladies. Kept the dogs with him, on leashes, until we were long gone. Too dangerous for them to be around big logs being towed around and cut. They didn’t like being left behind, but their barking soon receded into silence. An hour and a half later pulled up to the build site at 8 AM. Was decided that a couple of us would stay there and build a rough table and two stools for the cabin. Only had four ATVs, so nothing my work partner or I could do to help in bringing logs to cabin. We kept our long guns with us the whole time.

Took the two of us a couple hours to build the table and two stools using small pine trees nearby. By the time we were finished, the ATVs had made five trips back with logs. Each trip they hooked up two twenty to twenty-five-foot logs and towed them in. Once partner and I were done with furniture, we built a sleeping platform that would be attached to one of the walls in the cabin; took another hour. Another three trips by each of the ATVs. Was close to 11 AM and no sign of the lunch run from the other cabin yet, so we started to measure out fourteen and sixteen-foot log pieces from the raw logs, to leave sections of cut-off logs from six to nine feet long. Those smaller sections will be part of what is used for the ends of the cabin, progressing from longer to shorter so we can build angle of roof. We were about half done with our measuring when lunch run showed up. Took a short break to eat and got back to our task. Lunch ATV continued north and within fifteen minutes drove past us on the way back to base cabin.

With each successive ATV run pulling logs, we did our measurements. Between noon and 4 PM ATVS brought another thirty logs to site. Measuring all of them kept the two of us very busy. Should explain why for a twelve by fourteen-foot cabin we measured out fourteen and sixteen-foot lengths. Doing so leaves about a foot of overhang on ends of each log, to provide more stability to the entire structure.

At 4 PM, ATVs stopped towing logs. That crew then began to cut logs where we had measured and marked them. With four chain saws, they could get fourteen to sixteen-foot lengths cut pretty quickly. Measuring and cutting continued until around 5 PM when it became too dark to continue to work. Safety first, we loaded up and all headed back to the base cabin.

Same routine as yesterday. A good wash-up job for everyone. Tended nicks and cuts. Wives had roasted another chunk of the bear meat. They also fixed pasta with mixed veggies. No ice but we had all of the powdered orange drink we needed. When we finished eating, none of us could move. Wives told us they had watched outside temp all day. It had gotten to 46 degrees by midafternoon. We knew it had warmed up quite a bit because of all the sweating we had done while working.

Once supper dishes cleaned and stowed, the ladies showed us what they had accomplished during the day. Using yards of heavy-duty cloth several had brought, they made a mattress bag, pillow, and cover for the small table we had built. They had done some great work. A couple of them took the time to make some thin towels and washrags. Their final touch was to make a couple simple curtains for two small windows planned for the new cabin.

We all gathered in the main room before other cabin crew left for the evening. Decided work plan for tomorrow. Will spend the morning cutting, notching each of the logs, deciding sequence of log placement. First logs to be put in place will be those resting on the stone foundation pillars. Once those are in place, will put in floor joists on which rough flooring will be placed. Decided four internal floor joists will be enough. To fit those in place will require cutting multiple notches, Lincoln log style, in logs resting on foundation posts. Everything will be leveled using a couple of carpenter levels already brought to site. Once floor joists are in place, two of us using mauls will attempt to level off the tops of joists a bit to allow for flatter laying of rough floor boards. While half the crew works on all of that, the rest will continue to cut logs to length and the Lincoln log notches on both ends of the logs. Our hope is that by early afternoon we can start building up all four walls. Doing that will be the most muscle-powered part of the build. We have to lift each log into place, and the higher the walls go, the more difficult that becomes. Someone remarked that we might want to think about how to use some jury-rigged pulley system to make that job easier. Someone needs to dream on that tonight. All agreed to that plan for tomorrow.

Other cabin crew headed home around 7 PM. The six of us, staying in base cabin, along with young man who lost his wife, sat and talked about how we can continue to support him after cabin is done. Each couple offered him the opportunity to stay with them during worst months of winter if he needs to. He is grateful but says he has to make it on his own. We understood.

9 PM, we all headed to our sleeping bags. Lots of sore muscles. Dogs had gone to sleep long before that with full tummies. Prayers, scripture reading, and we hit the sack. Didn’t take anyone very long to be dreaming. Lord, continue to give us strength and wisdom. We are doing all of this for your glory. Good night!

God makes a home for the lonely;

He leads out the prisoners into prosperity,

Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

(Psalm 68:6)

A Journey Finished Diary: Entry #5

October 5

A little tougher getting out of the sack this morning, but dogs made sure we were up. While they were outside running around, the six of us fixed breakfast for the whole crew. South cabin folks arrived at 6 AM. Breakfast of eggs, bacon, fresh bread, and coffee waiting for them. Same routine as yesterday, but young man goes with crew this morning. Another man stays behind to provide security. Ladies continue to work on stuff for inside of new cabin. 6:30 AM, on our way north to build site. Arrived just after 8 AM and quickly to work.

In hour and a half had four foundation logs in place as well as four floor joist logs. A lot of quick progress. With eight of us not too difficult to wrestle logs around. Joists in place, one of the others and I started flattening tops of joists for floorboard attachment using mauls. Rest of crew cut log notches and laid out finished logs in order they will be used to build walls. Temp in low forties, sweating quite a bit even with that, going through a lot of water. By 10 AM ready to start building the walls. Way ahead of schedule at this point. Worked very carefully.

By time lunch ATV arrived, we had three of the eight courses on all four walls in place. Lunch was strips of cold bear meat, bread, and orange juice. ATV also delivered jugs of water for us to refill canteens. Plan was for them to return around 2 PM with another water replacement run. Sat for thirty minutes eating and talking about plan for the afternoon.

Doctor and I got a quick assignment to build four ten-foot ladders. Ladders are to be used by four of the team, logs on shoulders, to lift up higher level logs and put them in place. This was solution to our pulley system thought from last night. Logs each weigh between 100 and 120 pounds, so ladder system probably works if careful. Doctor and I got after our task as quickly as possible. Took us couple hours to get four rough ladders constructed. We worked on them back in area where cabin logs had been cut. Each carried two back to the cabin just as water replacement ATV was leaving. We could not believe what we saw. The other six men in the crew had put four more logs in place in each of the four walls. Ladders were done just in time.

Spent the rest of the afternoon, until 5 PM, finishing putting up logs on main walls. Just before we left to go back to base cabin, stood back and looked at our work. We had worked slowly and safely on the last two courses of wall logs. Each wall was eight feet tall. As we looked at work, decided that tomorrow half the crew will work on putting up logs on smaller end walls to which roof will be attached. Other half of crew, after building jig that we had designed, will cut rough lumber for the cabin floor and roof. Roof will go on first, then inside floor. When all of that is done, will