by Rusty W. Mitchum
You know what I don’t see much of anymore? Forts. No, not the kind in the cowboy movies, but the kind kids used to make. Of course, it may be that they just have them hid too well. The forts we used to build were not what you would call eye-pleasin’, by any means. Heck, we didn’t even have a saw, so boards were stickin’ out all over the place. There was not a nail that wasn’t bent over. Of course, we drove them in with the side of the hammer (somethin’ I still do).
To build a proper fort, you must first get you some buildin’ materials. This could be anything from real lumber, “borrowed” from your dad’s shop, to an old quilt found in a trash dump. The quilt, as you know, will be the roof of your fort. After you’ve got all the stuff you need, then it’s time to find a location. It seems like you would find the location first, but you have to remember, kids don’t think like adults, they’re smarter. The buildin’ site is usually located close to where the materials are, so you don’t have to drag them too far.
The fort is then built at the base of a large tree. The tree serves as shade, as well as a place for your lookout to sit and watch out for girls, or rovin’ parents, who might catch you chewin’ tobacco, smokin’ grapevine, or somethin’ worse. The only drawback to bein’ next to a tree, is that when you dig, you have to contend with roots. Oh yes, I said dig. You see you have to dig a hole first, and then build the fort over it. That way you stay cool down in the dirt
You know what I don’t see much of anymore? Forts. No, not the kind in the cowboy movies, but the kind kids used to make. Of course, it may be that they just have them hid too well. The forts we used to build were not what you would call eye-pleasin’, by any means. Heck, we didn’t even have a saw, so boards were stickin’ out all over the place. There was not a nail that wasn’t bent over. Of course, we drove them in with the side of the hammer (somethin’ I still do).
To build a proper fort, you must first get you some buildin’ materials. This could be anything from real lumber, “borrowed” from your dad’s shop, to an old quilt found in a trash dump. The quilt, as you know, will be the roof of your fort. After you’ve got all the stuff you need, then it’s time to find a location. It seems like you would find the location first, but you have to remember, kids don’t think like adults, they’re smarter. The buildin’ site is usually located close to where the materials are, so you don’t have to drag them too far.
The fort is then built at the base of a large tree. The tree serves as shade, as well as a place for your lookout to sit and watch out for girls, or rovin’ parents, who might catch you chewin’ tobacco, smokin’ grapevine, or somethin’ worse. The only drawback to bein’ next to a tree, is that when you dig, you have to contend with roots. Oh yes, I said dig. You see you have to dig a hole first, and then build the fort over it. That way you stay cool down in the dirt