The Virtual Porch is a joint project of the members of the Woodc@rver listserve. In the same spirit as the Caricature Carvers of America's Full Moon Saloon, the Virtual Porch will include over 100 carvings of and by member of the listserve.

Introduction: Virtual Porch figure 011: "Take My Trail Food, Please"

In June of 1997 (with only two weeks notice), I became one of two adult advisors that accompanied nine Boy Scouts from Troop 31 in Flint, Michigan on Trek 626-0, a 60 mile plus hike through the mountains of northern New Mexico, at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM. The trek was, at the same time, one of the most difficult things I have ever done, and one of the most rewarding.

My VP figure is seated on a rock on Day 10 of the trek, tired and dusty, holding in his hands a platefull of reconstituted freeze-dried trail food of colorful but unidentifable nature. Knowing that real (non-freeze-dried) food and a hot shower await at the end of the day's hike, he has a BIG grin plastered on his face.

On the rock beside him - the ever present mug of coffee (Folgers Gourmet Supreme preferred), this mug from the Tri-City Carvers Club.

Beside the rock sits the backpack that has carried all the stuff one needs for a ten day trek. The Block-M logo commemorates the 1997 University of Michigan Football Team's 12 and 0 season, winning the Big 10 title, Rose Bowl, and four of the five national championship trophies. (UM is at the same time alma mater and employer of 23+ years.)

In a side pocket of the backpack is a penny whistle, representative of our hiker's love of Irish and Celtic music.

Front View Back View Side View

Technical Stuff

The body and rock are carved of one piece of basswood, the head and mug from other pieces. The backpack and dish are of pine. The penny whistle is carved from a piece of dowel. The finish is thinned acrylic paints, with a coat of stain and antique oil finish to age the piece. The colorful "food" in the dish is sawdust from the bottom of the bandsaw, colored with thinned acrylic paint. When dry, the sawdust was carefully placed in the dish, then coated with super glue, turning it to the consistency of real freeze-dried trail food. (Another helpful hint from the folks in the Woodc@rving list.)

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