A Simple Life in the Appalachian Mountains - Chapter I

(Please watch Chapters II & III also) A rare opportunity presented itself for me to go deep into the woods in Appalachia to visit with some mountain dwelling kinfolk. Two brothers, born in the woods in a small cabin and having basically very little contact with the modern world. They live alone in the woods and are completely self-sufficient and lack for nothing. They seemed to possess an aura of contentment and dignity that belies what we would imagine or suppose about persons living this lifestyle. I was mesmerized by what I was seeing and hearing and just kept the camera rolling. Typical of the friendly, welcoming spirit that exists throughout Appalachia, I did not feel one bit unwelcome. The two brothers seemed more than happy to share their life experiences and knowledge and seemed oblivious to the camera. It was truly enlightening and inspiring to be in the company of people completely unaffected by everything that the modern world represents. Incidentally, the sleds being discussed and shown in the video are the same type of sleds that the brothers will hitch to their mule and drag through the woods and then onto the nearby village where they can get supplies. Ronnie and his son Jesse were my hosts and I am most grateful to them for affording me this visit into a world that I would have otherwise never seen. The one brother in this clip is Gene, and the others name is Hansel. Hansel makes his appearance later in the taping. I have plenty more footage which I will be posting in the future.

Category:

Film & Animation

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[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!

[jmg1957]

well done

[mmmatthewww]

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

[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.

[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.

[TheValkryie]

@reza4 Too true!