Chương 32: CAMP DESIGN & FIRST BUILD

Mark looked at the camp and thought over what he could do to make it more permanent. One thing that he noticed is that it was not very level, and there were a number of rocks and small trees and bushes that should be removed. He started first with the bushes and small trees. He chopped them out and set them down where they fell. Ava was watching as he worked. She finally spoke up.

"Can I help?"

"Yes, if you could gather all this stuff I have chopped out and put it in the pile over there just inside the forest," he said as he pointed at the small pile he had. They continued the work until the whole area was cleared. Mark then picked up one of the larger boulders and moved it closer to the edge of the forest. Ava watched for a while, then started helping by clearing the smaller rocks, which were easier for her to move.

After all the rocks were clear, he picked up and moved both of the lean-tos over to the side and started leveling out the ground.

"Is there another shovel?" Mark pointed over to where he kept the spare tools, and Ava picked up a shovel and helped him level out the area. Mark then got some wood out and made some stakes. When he finished, he started at the center fire pit and paced out a short distance before driving the first stake into the ground. He had marked the four corners of four square plots when Ava spoke up.

"What are those for?"

"I am marking off where I will build my new and improved shelters."

"Well, there are only two of us, and you have marked out four spots already."

"Only two now but planning for the future." Mark continued with his process, marking areas on all sides of the central firepit. When complete, Mark showed Ava which spots would be for shelters, of which there were six of them. Then he pointed out where the crafting area would be, and it had room for multiple crafting areas. He had an area prepared for cooking and what would eventually be a prep table for cooking near to the side of the central fire.

He marked out areas for firewood, tool storage, and even where the food and craft storage would go. For the first time, the camp felt planned instead of just used.

"You look like you're preparing to house an army."

"I have learned that it's better to prepare ahead."

"Can you start moving items to the areas I pointed out?" Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

"I guess, but I'm getting tired." Mark laughed.

"Kids, you want to help when it looks fun but are tired when it starts feeling like work."

"I am going to go gather materials so I can build the first two shelters. You can stay here with Bramble while I'm gone." Mark then headed into the woods. Looking for materials to build his new shelters. His plan was to build sort of an a-frame structure with 2 upright poles with a forked limb at the top that he would put another log across to make the a-frame out of. Then he would take other limbs to make the sides with the rear closed and some sort of covering as a door in the front.

It took quite a while to find a good pair of upright poles that had the right height and the forked top. His second pair he found for Ava's shelter was a little shorter but similar to his. After gathering most of the materials, he returned to camp to start on his project. Ava just watched him as he put the first one up. He had dug a hole on each end to hold the poles and then used stones in the hole to give it strength and then filled the holes back up. He then pulled out his crossbeam and set it on top.

Wanting to make sure it had strength and was sturdy, he gathered materials and made some new cords to tie it all in place. He used the sinew that he had been collecting in the cords to make them stronger. He then lashed it all together. Testing to make sure it was secure, he moved on to the sides. He evenly spaced poles down each side of the a-frame. When the side poles were finished, he next covered the sides with limbs and branches to keep the water out and help shelter it from wind and water.

He also covered the end in a similar manner. The last thing he did was use some of the hides he had collected to make a cloth door for privacy. When finished, he got the system message about his improved a-frame shelter. Ava walked over and checked out the new shelter.

"I like it. Way more room than the lean-to had and looks more sturdy. Can I help make mine?"

"Sure, pick a spot. Remember we need room for Bramble's cage also." Ava walked around looking at the marked-out spots; after reviewing each of them, she finally picked a spot.

"This one." Mark laughed as they were all the same size, and she had spent so much time picking just the right one. They then proceeded to build hers just like his but a little shorter, as the second set of poles he found was a little shorter.

"Ok, for tonight you will need to use the bed I made for the lean-to, but over the next few days I will make some more furniture for your a-frame including a new bed a little more off the ground and a storage box and chair for inside of it. If you think of anything else you might need, let me know."

"I think I am going to go check the traps east of camp where the higher-level animals are before bedtime."

"That's a good idea," Ava said.

"I think I will check the traps also. Bramble wants to go run around some."

"Just make sure you're home before dark." Mark went into the forest and went along the trapline heading directly east of camp. He felt good about the work he had done today. The camp was looking better, and better yet, he had a plan. His new trap line was working well. Lots of activity in the area. He found two of his many traps filled. And found a couple new animals and their loot.

The new animals were a stoneback porcupine, which he was glad had a looting option, as all the spines did not look like they would be fun to pluck, and he also found a brush stalker. He decided he wouldn't mention the stalker to Ava, as she might not be so happy that he killed them, but this one was full-grown, not a baby. The system confirmed the kills sixty five experience from the porcupine and ninety from the stalker.

The loot was simple but useful—five quills, two tough hides, and a few pieces of meat from the porcupine, along with two hides, a pair of sharp claws, and lean meat from the stalker. It was starting to get dark, so he hurried home. Ready to try out his new a-frame. When he arrived in camp, Ava and Bramble were in her a-frame and looked to be sound asleep.