Day 118
A hobo’s dream house
July 22nd, 2010
I'm walking across America.
That's the idea, at least. I'm walking westward from New York City for nine months or so. If everything goes according to plan, I'll be in Oregon when the clock runs out. If nothing goes according to plan, maybe I'll end up in Peru or Mongolia or Pennsylvania. You can read all about the details of my trip if you're so inclined.
Email me at matt@imjustwalkin.com
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Here's my progress so far:
A ‘modern’ covered wagon! Cute!
I think they look like sheepherders camps!
They need to be painted like the old Gypsy wagons.
Did you try to get in?
I wonder if they qualify for a reverse mortgage?
The green one has a John Deere color scheme – check out the wheels.
I want one!!!!
These are Sheepherder’s Wagons. Back in the fairly recent past (maybe still) in the big empty spaces in Montana where sheep are grazed, sheepherders lived in thes for months. Room for a bed and a stove and shelter from rain. Easily moved to move or follow the flock across the range. Sheep require shepherds because they are pretty susceptible to predators and are naturally stupid animals – easily getting themselves into trouble.
Dan is correct these are Sheepherder Wagons – and still used today – when I did census work in wyoming we were required to count them as homes and plot them on the map (not sure what good that does since they are moved frequently). My grandfather had several of these when I was going up – lots of fun to play in and came in handy when the power was out. I remember Grama making breakfast in one of these when I was a kid.
I think I remember a Sunset article about cool camping places and there was a grouping of these types of houses (can’t remember where) available for rent for the night. Cool. And very practical and thrifty! Be safe, Matt…
They are still in use today.
How about an updated version. http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/
Thanks 4 the link, Marshall. Hey, I know, Matt can get one of those when he finishes his journey and can put up stakes wherever while he’s writing the book so many think he should write even thought I don’t think he ever mentioned doing that….but if he had… : )
I just watched an interview with this guy recently. I can’t remember where though – Yahoo! video, HGTV? IDK, but pretty cool!
Marshall in RVA
I saw an article about Jeff Shafer and his 89 sq. f.t house shown in this article. I believe it was in PARADE and it was shown as the smallest home in AMERICA or something close! I also believe this house was in CA. This is a cool article. Thanks for sharing!
Don
THE HOBO NATION should purchase one of these Hobo Wagons and the car at the Farmers Union Oil Company with the flat tire.
We could give it to Matt and he could use it as he travels around the country for book signings about his trip. Do we have any takers?
Matt says he is not thinking about a book right now….put the order on hold…..
Reminds me of Japan without the $240 steak dinner.
Too funny!
LOL @ Don. I’m picturing Matt driving across country in that car with the wagon attached. Priceless!
I was picturing him walking with one of those Tumbleweed Tiny Houses on wheels, pulling it behind him like a rickshaw.
Dan’s right… sheepherder wagons. There are many people of Basque descent in certain areas of the Inland NW, a lot of them in Southern parts of Idaho & Eastern Oregon, too, who herd sheep. They still use these.
Yes – plenty of Basque settled these parts. Some families have prospered greatly and are pillars of their respective communities. Virtually all families trace coming to the area as sheepherders. (Inland NW – never heard that term before – I like it)
That looks bigger than my apartment! Where do I buy one??
How interesting to learn about these. See…that’s what this whole thing is all about…learning new things.
Don…you’re cracking me up over here. I’m with Gina’s comment…hee hee!
Look’s like a Hobo’s Dream SMOKE HOUSE!!
I really wish we had a look inside.
(‘lo jeff and matt)
Hay Craig! Yea I like the idea of a smokehouse for one of these. I am digging that. I am ready to make some cheater ribs this evening in fact. Hope all is well….looks like Matt is fairing well too…..
Holy cow. I thought these things were something abandoned not something is use. And for a shelter no less. They look so small and no windows. I’m a severe claustrophobic person so you wouldn’t be seein’ me in one of those. Baaaa!!!!
Your in just to cook and get out of the rain. your front yard is the Big Sky!
Oh, so you don’t really stay in it all the time? Just what you said? And sleeping to? Other times you’re tending to the sheep I suppose. Thanks.
I’m glad no one questioned my statement that sheep are stupid!
I know I wouldn’t because they are. It’s not a mean thing to say, it’s just the way they are. That’s why there’s dogs and other animals that have been mentioned here to herd and keep predators away. Sheep just don’t know much.
I’m reminded of the movie Babe right about now! “barrr rammm ewww!”
About 200 miles away from Simms in Livingston, you can rent a sheepherder’s wagon for the night: http://www.yellowstoneriverinn.com/ Here’s another site that sells them; you can see pictures of the interior: http://www.hansenwheel.com/products/custom_wagons/sheepwagons.html
Thanks Glenda for the link. Now I was able to actually see in one of those to see what they are. I thought from the outside they looked like big fuel oil storage tanks to me or even propane gas storage tanks.
If anyone wants a look at the life of a sheepherder and raising sheep sometime, I recommend looking for the documentary Sweetgrass.
http://sweetgrassthemovie.com/
I want one!
I can picture Matt pushing his cart and dragging one of these behind him…. although might be difficult when he hits the mountains!
Imagine the size of the woodpile it takes to keep one of those warm on those -70 degree mornings!
Ok I’m not going to say “Janine is my friend” because I am embarrassed that I actually thought that these were made from old tankers of some type, that were reused. I thought they are a solution in recycling and being green. Now I feel kinda dumb. :(