A jalopy in the backwoods: would you do it?

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You may have seen the memes with a picture of a cabin in the woods, looking ever so romantic but also ever so remote from the fast-paced world, which accompanied by the following text: ‘You have to stay in this cabin for 1 month. You have all you need: wood, water and firewood. You have no access to internet, cell phones or television. On the last day you walk out with $100,000. Would you do it?’ Well, we would! And we’re guessing there are not many of you here who wouldn’t do it either. 

The fact is that a century ago life was not quite as fast-moving as it is today, which, though life must have been harder, does make some of us pine for those days of long ago. This beautiful photograph of a gold miner panning the dirt at his cabin in the 1920s oozes that same nostalgic spirit. What else do you need besides food, water and warmth? It made us think of the late Bill Staines’s beautiful Miner’s Song:

It was hard times in the open pit, eighteen-hundred down
One day you’d make two dollars and the next you’re glory-bound

Hang on: apart from the bare necessities, a car may be useful, too, and our miner seems to have had the same thought. We can’t quite make out what the vehicle is. It looks as if the wings have been removed, presumably in order to access the cabin in the first place, over forest trails and rocky paths. But even with its wings on, it would still be a very narrow vehicle. Do you think it's been modified much? It could even have been thrown together from parts sourced from various different cars... As always, we'd love to hear what you think.

(Words Jeroen Booij, picture The Alaska Life)

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