A Simple Life in the Appalachian Mountains - Chapter I

[BoudiccaBlanc]

The people of the Appalachian highlands use these sleds to haul things. In that terrain a wheeled vehicle would get stuck or be too big to go between the trees. In addition, a mule or a horse does not require gasoline -- and it provides fertilizer for the garden.

[coonhunterbushman]

is he blind

[TheRalph1966]

I just watched the series and love them, I commented on the first video of these true americans. I have all respect for simple people with no worries......Love from New York!

[chiledoug]

these nice folks have so little yet they seem to be happy....some of my moms folks are from kentucky...i can see the frugality in her....great vids my friend,,

[TBaker1964]

I failed to notice a Direct TV dish?

[treintjefop]

Wonderful!



[geosteiner6]

I love how he's so filthy, but he so filled with such inner richness it doesn't matter.

[mugelerm]

Its a service to record the dying ways of these people. Its a rare thing now... Sadly probably much more sustainable then the way the rest of us live.

[tibee47]

i also hava a cabin in the mountains and i use to go up there to spend some time in the wilderness,BUT: i also use to wash myself!!Please excuse me,but this guy it's pretty dirty!

But i respect him!

[ThePaulgregg]

I have not seen anything to compare with this video set. I quickly became an addict. This is great documenting. I crave the next one for sure.Thank u sir.

[robertsmi9]

I grew up like this and one day hope to return to teach my son what living is all about, and that not all things you need come in a nice pretty box from the store. As others have said, with in the real near future the people that poked fun of the ones who lived the simple life will be begging for them to show them what they need to do, or they are going to be like the rest of the sheep and die. I do miss having to drive 30 miles to the nearest store. God bless you all.

[1Joyeux]

God Bless the simple life.

[iammadness]

I need to find me some moutain folk to teach me a thing or two.

[Marlania1]

would love to hear the Chicken joke!!.....lol...good stuff...

[williamwization]

haha.. wow

[sglasspool]

Haven't been in this part of the country in quite a while. Need to go back one of these days, get myself outta the subburbs in California.

[71chevyytruck]

Not sure what that feller was talking about but it must have still been a thrill to meet the inventor of the Futon.

[jtkilgore]

i live in the real mountains of ky and i love it,its all about self reliance around hear.

[8Voc]

Makes me think of the Foxfire books.

[stiglaa]

When all the computers go down on the stock market, and the computers dont work with the water and electricity systems, no food in the supermarkets, no heat to cook the meat. All the posh people in America will be lost, unable to cope. These people will survive, they know how to catch food, cook it, store it. Build a shelter, house etc, they are the ones we should learn from, not the fluffy overpaid "Quants", that would not know the way the wind was blowing their fart.

[carnut476]

The heart of the haughty is cold and scornful -- it's nice to know we still have warm hearted people like Gene left in America .

[pollymoochee]

Save up some money and come down. I saw an ad on the Asheville NC craigslist that there was a free place to live in exchange for work with possibly trade for a piece of land.

It may still be on there. It specified that they wanted a liberal alternative type. Check it out and maybe you will soon be a mountain man.

[NCTRAP10]

Were is this ?? i swear to god ive meet this guy before in town>

[partsman26able]

later on in the 1930's or so, around the coal mines...the miners had almost NO rights if any. so the United Miners Right Association or something of that nature and other rival unions united under one cause. to get the support of black, white and immigrants they tied RED HANKERCHIEFS around their necks and called for ALL rednecks to unite for rights. i believe there was a HORRIBLE battle and the National Guard had to get involved. it really didn't become bad until 1970's. not so bad now is it?

[partsman26able]

actually the term Redneck originated around Mississippi in the last decade of the 1800's. the primary was coming up and the Democratic party wanted the support of the hard working folk. the farmers and other hardworking people had burnt necks. a local newspaper took notice and called for all Rednecks to come and vote, show their support. throughout the election and later they proudly bore the name "redneck".

[soilmannn]

@partsman26able wrong

[joshuawgarner]

Sorry but the mountain range runs all the way down to Alabama. Born and bred in Appalachia, Dawsonville, GA I feel we are Hillbillys. I hate when people call me a redneck, to me a redneck is a person who just don't have any good sense. That's just my opinion on the title.

[kingsindiandefence]

I just read a great book called Hillbilly Tales from The Smokey Mountains by P Graham and V Humphries! i live in England not the USA, just wanted to share it with folks.

[TheConservative13]

Well this is the way our founding fathers were brought up, and this man is the heart of a nation which is slowing evaporating in front of our eyes. Im a meer young man 14 years to be exact but indeed i exceed my peers i would not say in kowledge but in understanding. I yearn to live a simple subsistence life without the sinfull distracting that accompany an urban lifestyle.I admire this man, and i myself desire to live like this in my future. God bless yall all. TREVOR.

[boondocks123o]

dang, people make fun of appalachians as inbreds, but i guess thats not true

[reza4]

this is called real life real freedom these men can survive without a mall or a bank however if the power goes out in the big cities the people will die of hunger they will go crazy these men know how to live without a government, a mall and a bank.

soon these men will be the real teachers and leaders the only hope people will have to survive after a massive collapse of government or a huge natural disaster.

[edgewaters72]

@reza4 Yes, we will need them when the present stupidity of our politicians and bankers and corporations lands us back in the Stone Age. Would that it were not so.

[newjersey02]

@edgewaters72 wrong, you will need them wen earth rids of bullshit society.

[newjersey02]

@edgewaters72 and in the end it will stay this way

[TheValkryie]

@reza4 Too true!

[sshawnthesquare]

This is so beautiful. I am a returned peace corps volunteer from morocco and I can say people who live in the countryside there are essentially the same. This is an ancient way of life. Inventive, quiet, so close to nature, so kind and good. Morocco is a muslim country and I have never been treated with so much kindness and generosity as when I stayed in the country there. We all need to put our differences aside and realize how much alike we are at the core.

[stbaptiste78]

I've watched this video series now....I swear to God about 40 times. Never gets boring. Im originally from northern Ontario, Canada and Im telling you I know people not much different from Gene. I've always been interested in southern culture and especially the music. Its funny how the far north aint much different from the deep south in a lot of ways. I cant wait to come down to visit Appalachia one day.

God Bless from Canada,

Michael

[mmmatthewww]

@stbaptiste78 ~ thanks Michael!

[charlyrae]

@stbaptiste78

To my Canadian friend, Michael: I love your appreciation of Appalachia, my home. I grew up in West Virginia but left after high school. I came back home after nine years away and still love my family and their ways (not nearly as backwoodsy as this show, perhaps). But there's a richness in the culture that you have picked up on and it's wonderful to hear you say so. If you ever come to WV, stop by Morgantown.

[charlyrae]

@stbaptiste78

To my Canadian friend, Michael: I love your appreciation of Appalachia, my home. I grew up in West Virginia but left after high school. I came back home after nine years away and still love my family and their ways (not nearly as backwoodsy as this show, perhaps). But there's a richness in the culture that you have picked up on and it's wonderful to hear you say so. If you ever come to WV, stop by Morgantown. Charlotte

[jays2474]

@stbaptiste78 Im a little south of ya here in ohio about 40 miles south of cleveland.I hunt in southern ohio.Its a different people and culture down ther ya know lol.They live by thier own laws and sets of rules.They cant make you dissapear and never seen again if you piss em off lol.On the other hand they would do anything for ya.I would take poor mountain people over poor city people anyday.

[pollymoochee]

@stbaptiste78

We are not really the deep south. Appalachia ends in north Georgia. We're not southern, we're mountain. There's a difference! Come on down and visit and we will treat you to a lot of good music, food and art!

[NANDO218]

@pollymoochee man. im from the nyc and i just hate it here sometimes. i've been watching a lot of survival videos because i hope to one day survive and really experience the outdoors. you dont know how lucky you are to live in such a beautiful place. i wish i was a moutain man. haha. the city aint a good place for me.

[jtkilgore]

@stbaptiste78 im from the applachias born and raised and if you come down bring som of that canda bud i hear about ill have som ky bud hahahha

[goldee359]

I'm from a small poor community in eastern Ky. I've never regretted growing up there because living hard and struggling gives you heart and teaches you to care and look out for your neighbor. It taught me to be a compassionate person. People from Appalachia are some of the kindest and most caring people you'll ever meet. I'm a hillbilly and proud of it.

[pancakez20]

i like the way you operate...cheers from middle georgia

[holycow59]

My family is rooted in this area. I can't understand this fella's talking at all tho

[tinywentz]

good old folks. reminds me of a old timerthe lived up state Pa across form our huntin camp.

[ghostman3331]

yeah i want everyone to donate to this sled maker Gene for his cataract problem and his abcess tooth to be fixed you know he got to be in some great pain anybody know a church will help this poor guy

[vrwCHENEY]

thank you for sharing...what a character...we all could learn from this man...i find it hard to call this simple living....it takes a strong people to be self-sufficent.

[ThePaxTube]

This is really interesting. Thanks for uploading!

[cbarsonfire]

Nothing wrong with these folk. I have kin that live like this in WV, Tenn, Miss, Bama and NC.

All chose this life over the city by choice. People are moving back into the hills in search of the simple but hard times.

God bless the mountian folk, hillbillies, rednecks and the SOUTH!

[cyclenut]

In the 70's I grew up in Macon Co N.C.. I worked for the forest service in the mountains.. Life was great. The people were not educated, but were smarter then most that are educated. If the US collapses the Smoky mountains would be the place to live. But the mountains are being destroyed for coal and other reaouces. Very sad.

[Tokay18]

@cyclenut Yes they are working 24/7 to level appalachian peaks, If they dont stop stealing the mountains from everyone and everything, we will be saying...what mountains?

[Tokay18]

@cyclenut There is nothing else like Appalachia on earth and I love the place,and to learn of what is happening to the mountains for our short term self interests and to watch them being destroyed forever is a terrible thing to watch.

[twylo]

These are wonderful videos, thank you so much for sharing them. Capturing life in Appalachia is a vital part of recording the whole American experience.

[dwarf2]

nothing simple about hard work , if you don't work you don't eat.

[dwarf2]

my folks are from the mountains and my wife and i go back every chance.

[dwarf2]

my mom and dad are both from the mountains, and my dad is gone now, and my mom is to old to travel now , but me and my wife go back every year.

[jmg1957]

well done

[mmmatthewww]

@jmg1957 - thank-you...it's my pleasure.

[benadmin]

This is the GREAT stuff! Thanks for sharing. Ben Robinson

[TheCrystalRiver]

is it even possible to live in the mountains by yourself anymore? I mean, where's he get his food?

[wisniewz]

@TheCrystalRiver have you ever heard of hunting, and gardening?

[BandwagonJumper007]

Reminds me of some of the old War Vets living in the Outback in Australia I met back in the erly and mid seventies. Croc hunters/prospecters etc who lived a simple life. Theres a dignity to this Gentleman

[Caprifool]

I'm Swedish and even I understand him. He reminds me of the best friend I ever had over here. I was just about the same age as the young one there and he would talk to me with the same respect as to an adult. Passing on what ever knowlege he could to me so it would stay alive. His tractor toppled over him some 20 years ago. And now that I'm (a city boy) living out in the sticks. I realize the value of what he gave me. Best schooling I ever had. I miss him.

[retropicker]

This is exceptional. I'm glad places and people like this still exist. I suspect they are much more content than 99% of America.

[kitkat6026]

PLEASE what are the origins of the appalachian people could have listened for hours

[MegaSkya]

can someone help him with his blindness?

[redfootwalking]

I enjoy watching your videos. I really appreciate you going through great lengths to prepare this video for viewing. This is amazing!

[mousehound45]

How come nobody can understand them?

[a7xtnfan]

makes me proud to be from the south

[jebus419]

hell i understood everything he said.... he sounds just like all the ol timers around here lol

[2000gino]

This reminds me of home in Tenn.. 

[ringgiant1]

Living off the land is a tradition that needs to be passed down more often. I am proud to see folk still living simple lives, and enjoying the beauty that this land has to offer.

[jessicapotter76]

Locust is the best wood. My house is built mostly out of locust.

[TheHappimamma]

That's great.  Heck, I'd buy one of those sleds myself, for way more'n 10 dollars. I love my mountain heritage.

[kimberhuf]

I have to tell you that this is my heritage and I love it. Your video reminds me of the Foxfire series of books. I believe more people should value this man and his knowledge, lifestyle and contributions to this world. Thank you!

[TheFreeMountaineer]

Right on! I love my fellow Appalachian Americans!

[euroserf]

Hi from the Republic of Ireland, great video of real people, and I've no difficulty understanding these gentlemen or their great dialect !

[freestylze]

reminds me of my grandparents

[Ovito85]

i sometimes wish I lived there.... then my blackness tells me to STFU!!!!

[BlueWaveOfLight]

Virtually a different language.

[truesunn]

I can help you with the subtitles... My grandparents come from a small mining camp near Jellico Mtn. I can understand him just fine LOL :) Listen to the old folks, they have practical wisdom they don't teach anymore!

[truesunn]

I can help you with the subtitles... My grandparents come from a small mining camp near Jellico Mtn. I can understand him just fine LOL :) Listen to the old folks, they have practical wisdom they don't teach anymore!

[killit62]

lol i live in boone nc and there are so many people like this there especially near the tennessee border.

[loki1066]

What's the problem with understanding him?

I'm from england and I can understand.

[mujiel]

God bless these men and all like them.

Simplicity is what we all need. The egotistic materialist spirit of most people is disgusting.

Life is more then money and fancy things.

[TexarkanaBraveheart]

These people are salt of the Earth, they remind me of my Kin here in the Four States Area, My Father From Arkansas my mother From Texas,and kinfolk all around Texas ,Arkansas ,Louisiana,some of my Kin migrated to Texas from Kentucky ,this is a great video I do wish that other Southern States didnt hold so much damn contempt for my Home state of Texas,but thats a debate for another time, peace

[subterranean47]

Tennessee all the way

[lauramxwell]

I'm from California and I can understand but I definitely had to really concentrate

[Sweetbug74]

NC girl here. I understood every word... ha ha. :o)

[Greenfish654]

listening fromLondon, UK -understood about 40% of it!

[niich]

... that's understandable.... I spent a few weeks in London, (Westminster mainly) and couldn't always understand what people were saying to me over there either......... and to tell you the truth... America really has a few different English languages... we don't even understand eachother some times... LOL

[Hollandia777]

Ever heard 'bout the Netherlands? A country ur WV is 1 & a half times the square of? We do have 'bout 300 (!) dialects and guys sometimes really have a problem to get each other! What's more: every 5 - 10 km of travelling there bring u in very different area!

[medievalman86]

he seems like a nice guy... you sit down and ask him, I bet hed make a better senator/representitive than most... used to frugality, common sense, plain non legalese english... id consider voting for him..

[EbolaV1rus]

I'm from Washington state, and I can understand him just fine. Great video.

[REBEL4DIXIELAND88]

the south will rise when the dollar falls

[MrGwizard034]

absolutely loved it....better learn america cause thats where were headed.

[BLUEMOONGRASS]

our family uses a sled just like that to carry our potatoes out of the hollow down to the house & used a horse to pull. our Appalachian mountain homstead in East Tennessee. Guess it was the best time for me on the planet. People here are real. I have traveled everwhere and I have found out nomatter how you say a word it' still means the same thing. The people here knows how to get a seed out of the ground and can run a trotline. You woulden't believe how much moonshine you can put on that SLED

[CGPAryan]

@BLUEMOONGRASS

We can skin a buck and run a trotline..... I got a shotgun, a rifle, and a 4x4 and a country boy can survive.

[mondohartford]

thats awesome, the way people should live, self sufficient and not living to keep up with the jonses'

[kingaxl666]

i hope you gave this fella more than ten dollars for sled

[luvu2luvme]

im not from america and i can understand him ok.nice vid,thankyou.

[daldridgex]

can't understand why you need subtitles. I guess I just grew up listening to my family talking this way. Maybe I do little myself. I still got alot of family in them mountains. I should go back more often.

Good video

[truesunn]

Same here, I can understand him just fine. My grandparents are from rural southern KY. I used to work for a trucking company who'd specifically connect me with the truckers from the deep south because they didn't understand them. Whatever I guess LOL

Great video, we can learn alot from the old mountain folks.

[mawo1977]

i come from the caribbean and loved this video. I really appreciate what you have done. I wish we could all go back to the simple life. things would be much better

[dlmsuperdave]

is this fella blind? not to be mean, just curious. i liked all 3 videos

[mmmatthewww]

Yes, Gene is afflicted with cataracts and is essentially blind. No worries, not mean at all to ask. I probably should have mentioned this fact in my description. I am glad that you enjoyed all three videos

[ChristianBackpackers]

Why doesn't he check into haveing the len of his eye's replaced? I'm sure he could find an eye specialist that would do it a no cost. Believe it or not, some of them still know what compassion is. Amazing how we can be so content with so little. I guess it really is all about living the life God has givin us to the fullest, no matter what that might be, isn' it.

Thanks for the great video's!!!!

[kringle02]

@mmmatthewww There is no reson for a man nor women in this so called great country of ours to be blind from cataracts. Its a cryin dam sham

[LunchtimeLoonies]

@mmmatthewww He could get them fixed real easy couldn't he?

[bugg255]

thank you for showing my people in a positive light..I am not far removed from that simple life...and often yearn for that subtle existance....I mss my mountain home,the one of my childhood ,on Gobblers Knob next to Tabernacle Hill.with many kin folk around and days in the sun playing as a child does...memories

[jacksonburns56]

Excellent video and documentation of rural life!

[captjason85]

What are those sleds used for ??? Great Video, seems to be a great way to live !

[mmmatthewww]

Thanks for your comments. Those sleds are actually used for hauling things after being hitched to the back of a mule.

[dawniemori]

subtitles would be helpful to us Yankees

[mmmatthewww]

Thanks for your request. I've had several people ask for subtitles. I grew up in a different region of the country and I am not familiar with this dialect either. I have a person who may be able to help me translate some of the colloquialisms and diction used in their speech. Thanks again for your suggestion and I will try to get that done.

[blueridger28]

@mmmatthewww My parents and grandparents talk like that I still have most of my hillbilly speak. Lived up here in the Blue Ridge of Appalachia all my life

[gangstagage420]

how can you people not understand him? some words are slurred together but thats pretty much it

[Vandale2006]

@gangstagage420 Im born and rasied in wv in the country on a farm and i havea hard time under standing him

[bball708]

id like to live like that

[DobermansRock]

People living the simple life. Must be nice to not be part of the rat race and take nothing for granted.

[BlindPigAndTheAcorn]

Pretty Neat!

[Methadone4Life]

Thats what a lot of people better get used to...we will all be looking these people out and asking for help before long.

[HillbillyOnAHarley]

couldnt've said it better myself.

[HillbillyOnAHarley]

couldnt've said it better myself.

[Shimlarian]

The revolution is coming!

[Mark9309]

Actually, there was truth in the steroetypes that were created 100 years re: "hillbillies". Yes, they were consistently exagerated. These men in the video are obviously the exception. People living in these remote areas are very independant people with independant attitudes. This wouldnt be such a bad thing if they were not so hostile towards outsiders. Dont tell me it doesnt happen because I experienced it in North Carolna & I am sure it occurs in other pockets of the South.

[Stepherlynicole]

I live in the mountains <3 Country people such as these people are some of the friendliest people you will ever meet

[Shimlarian]

Definitly. I live in the Catskills, and that is true, these people are friendly as friendly gets.

[petexii]

I wish there were subtitles

[Darkbladefilms]

this is definately the way to live. the food from the wild and all is way more healthier than what the grocery store products have. plus u can never get bored there. they have the best lives they can have. god bless them

[tulipchic34]

It's so nice to see this. I am from Australia and am very familiar with the stereotype of people from the mountains, inbreds, slow, poor ect. I know that it's not true and it's sad that these lovely people are portrayed like that so often in films and the media.

[candacem09]

great video. but, subtitles please!

[emforty2]

proof that you don't need a whole lot of material things to live a happy life.

[quantumsolutions]

Nice video. And the comments are so inspiring. You know, people spend a lot of time making fun of these people yet they are the ones truly Living!

I have been so inspired by a series of books called Anastasia of The Ringing Cedars. They are about a woman who lives in the Siberian forest with nothing but what the earth provides and her natural insight into life is changing the face of Russia into an ecologically sound, conscious based society.

We must all re-connect with nature.

Peace

[mmmatthewww]

Thank you for your nice comments.

[txhorn10]

I now live in Texas in the "city" and I grew up in south West Virginia. I miss the people and the accent so much, I've actually lost mine some but I love goin back and gettin it back in 5 minutes. Its funny. But I just love sittin on the porch with my Great Uncle Lacy and listenin to all the stories from back in the day. I tell you what, this just made my day. :)

[TheBlackGorilla]

this is the life to live! the world is getting way too soft, theres some people who die and haven't fished once in their lives. There's kids who couldn't tell a frog from a salamander. it's sad. all people do nowadays is sit on their computers or text on their cell phones, this an example of people who actally have a good hard-worked life. god bless them

[madnashmom]

i live in the appalachian mountains and i cant imagine livin anywhere else.the slow paced laid back way of life is the only way to live for me!! i think its funny when there is a piece about us on a show they always put the captions on the bottom of the screen.

[OHT53]

This is the old south

As for only the strong survive in this lifestyle even simple minded people faired well and people cared for invalids as best they could.

[JeszeeLaw]

God Bless the south and the southern way of life.

[simplelivingskills]

The Appalachian mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania... are HARDLY "the south".

Appalachians are nothing like Texans... Nothing at all and I'm proud of that fact. God Bless Appalachia.

[his2re]

I don't know about anyone eles ,but I am in pursuit of simple life other than death. I want to know when I eat something it's not pumped up with all kinds of junk . when I talk to someone they tell it like it is .even if they don't like me. I say thanks for showing these clips maybe one day I can get a little piece of heaven here on earth. I live by this motto A man don't work he don't eat . past or preasent it only matters how you feel at the end of the day.

[strawser2]

Everybody check out backwoods magazine! Ok I am 33 years old left the farm to make the money witch I did. Well I am still country and money isnt S#$^ people are stressing and looking for handouts now. Well to my point I have learned so much like solar power just for a started and by this time next year my self supporting cabin will be done!!! No bills!!! Well you still have to pay taxes but what can ya do about that. Get smart America its not about money and that nice car. My dogs name is Buddy

[WSM2800]

With the world going thru what it is today, we all need to know people like this just to survive!! We will all be going back to living on the Land and only the Strong will Survive.... Just my view....

[wrightylaaad]

i love people like that, really gentle and unthreatening ,kind people. i wish everyone was like that ...

[mmmatthewww]

Nice comment, Thanks!

[cMarie101st]

The mountain people of Appalachia are fantasic and a very historical group of people. Even though most people would pity them because of their standard of living, these people are probably living happier lives versus the majority of us. It goes to show that modernity and materialism isn't everything.

[caibarien71]

I wish I could spend some time with this folks, seems like they live a lay back-worry-free life, wonderful....

[sunnyallthetime]

This is great, it reminds me of a documentary film from around 1995 called "Brothers Keeper."

[mmmatthewww]

I had actually watched the 1992 documentary "Brother's Keeper" (named one of the ten best films of 1992 by over 50 major film critics) before I had this opportunity to visit with these brothers in Appalachia. I was mesmerized and enthralled after watching that incredible film, so you can imagine my excitement when I was able to experience something so similar first hand. The Rory Kennedy documentary "American Hollow", also on YouTube, is another amazing glimpse into this unique culture. Thanks!

[Somethinzfishy]

Nice dog ! Bet these folks have some great dogs and they love em'. I've heard that...that they take good care of their companion animals ! This was a very interesting video ! Shows another way of life in America - certainly one that does not involve cell phones or laptops. Talk about taking it easy ! I like it !

[mmmatthewww]

I am glad that you enjoyed the video. I can assure you that it was a treat to be able to film it. Yes, they do take good care of their companion animals and all of their other possessions as well. It is all they have. And you are quite right, no cell phones or laptops. Nothing that goes on in our world has any bearing whatsoever on their world. They are completely self-contained and self-sufficient. It is most interesting to be in the presence of people that are so unaffected. You feel it.

[kismeimex]

i get the feeling that if i could live with them for a year, i could get rid of all my bad habits.

[kallie0509]

where did you film this? i live in KY and i've often wanted to take my guitar to the mountains in eastern KY and meet some real appalachian people, but i'm always afraid that i would be unwelcome.

[chemicalvalentina]

i was just asking my boyfriend "how are people like over there?" hes like... you have no idea how disconnected they are from the modern world... you wouldnt even think people lived like that in america. and i said "what do you mean??? do they drink tap water or something??? hes said "hunny im not even sure they have that type of irrigation that advanced. they just get water from a river or a well if they have one."