I spent two years preparing a Boy Scout troop for a two-week journey thru the Boundary waters in 1820 clothing and gear - we made our own clothing, moccasins, canoe paddles, wooden spoons, wooden bowls, made our flint & steel fire starter kits, lived as real Voyageurs for two weeks with no modern gear. We paddled and portaged 200 miles in northern Minnesota lakes and streams.

Propagating and growing cold-hardy Katuah Muscadine grapes on the steep slopes of mountains. Growing any cold-hardy fruits in the mountains (www.JeweloftheBlueRidge.com). I was elected president of the North Carolina Natural Products Association this summer (www.NCNaturalProducts.org) and I am also the Executive Director of the Sustainable Appalachian Viticulture Institute (www.GrapeSAVI.org).

Woodworking; wines; ancient history; old calendars;