A view inside the vardo. Put together from three shots. It is so small, its hard to get a perspective through the lens. Enjoy. Also, more photos can found on the Vardo Page including a stove fitting and other fun stuff.
On the road again
New chimney, storage boxes, pan box, tires, jack and on the road.
Rides like a charm. Even fully loaded. More tomorrow. The rest of the VARDO BUILD is still here.
Spear Throwers
A gaggle of new spear throwers in the Upper Paleolithic tradition. Not ivory, just oak. I have needed a bunch to use as loaners at demonstrations and events. Hopefully these will do the trick.
A New Horse
Here is a couple of photos of the new horse. It is made up of mostly recycled and scrap wood. If I am lucky enough to find time from work, I intend to put it to work on some bow staves and spoons later this fall.
The horse is made of pine and fir dimensional lumber. The working portions are red oak, white oak, hickory, and popular. The large bolts are salvaged from an old Ford spare tire holder.
Yet Another Modern Vardo
Another modern trailer vardo underway at “Vardo-a-go-go“. It looks to be built to slide into a cargo flatbed and will apparently be used as a recreation vehicle. The design is a modified “American Vardo” from Timothy Lemke. I think the greatest benefit of this plan is its extreme light-weightness and relatively simple construction. Good luck Libby and show us more photos!
Lloyd Khan
Lloyd Khan is an author/photographer/publisher that has influenced my thinking about construction since I first read Shelter many years ago. He followed this up with Home Work and now Builders of the Pacific Coast. I don’t have the last one yet but I will correct this very soon.
I just discovered that he has a website and it is, of course, very informative in the realm of alternative construction and dwelling. You can check it out here: http://lloydkahn-ongoing.blogspot.com/
Another Modern Wagon
Another take on the modern Gypsy Wagon. I suspect it is very heavy but looks to be very large and accommodating as well. Lots of decorative details.
http://www.wanderingbookartists.blogspot.com/
They are also fine craftsmen and artists. Check out their site.
A Few More Photos
I’ve added a couple more photos of the vardo as it came together for our summer vacation to the sea.
Still many things to do but it was also a great learning opportunity to understand the final arrangements of the interior space and how it is used.
N55 Walkinghouse
N55 is a group of artists and designers who have some interesting ideas. I have been interested in the Walkinghouse since I first saw it. Here is a link to its “manual” and here is a video of it walking in Copenhagen. I selfishly wish they were doing this somewhere closer to me. While on this website, its worth checking out some of their other ideas. They are broken up into “manuals” and they also have a book you can download.
I like much of their design and hope to continue to see more as they progress.
My only real problem with this design is the lack of an easy-entry door. I couldn’t imagine climbing in while holding anything (like a sack of groceries). I do find the combination of solar-electric, hydraulic drive, and wood heat to be intriguing.
Yucca Sandals
Some new yucca fiber sandals. One narrow leaf yucca, after processing, will easily yield one large pair of sandals and straps. Ethnographically and archaeologically, we know this type was worn in northern Mexico, the American southwest, and California. After wearing these and the plaited style, I think the loose fiber provides more padding for rough terrain and better protection against most thorns.
I still prefer my bison rawhide sandals for running and walking. They provide more protection against sharp rocks and thorns. However, the yucca are extremely quiet, especially on hard ground, and much easier to procure than bison.
This is a link to other shoes and sandals I have experimented with. I will get more up in time.
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 