On the Road: Man Crafts

Normally this blog is full of estrogen-fueled ideas.  But today, I happily present an example of a totally male creation.

I recently attended the Continental Cup International Ski Jumping Championship on Pine Mountain in Iron Mountain, Michigan.  The event spans several hours each day for two days and, take my word for it, it is extremely cold.  Locals and ski jumping fans literally claim a spot days in advance and build little makeshift shelters.  Some have tarps to block out the wind, others literally build little houses with windows.  Turnout is estimated between 5-10,000, with athletes from all over the world competing in a very small town in the middle of rural America.

The most popular spot at each makeshift viewing station is generally the heat source/cooking device.  In this case, one crew had used a barrel to handcraft a stove, with a two-tier cooking rack on top.

Yes, it actually made the food boiling hot.  The food in Michigan generally involves lots of bratwurst, chili, and venison.  The male maker of this fireplace stove welded on feet, a door, and even a ventilation tube in the back.

He loaded it up with firewood to keep the flame going.  It let off massive heat.  For the record, I'm sure nothing about this would pass any legitimate codes inspection, so I am in no way condoning this and I certainly don't want anyone to try this at home.  But, nobody can say we don't appreciate man crafts occasionally here on Crafty Life and Style.  One more thing...next time you are irritated that the hubby still hasn't gotten around to that project around the house you've been bugging him about...take a look at all of the energy that went into these little creations.  Priorities.