It 'aint leather, but it's keepin' me away...

[Ace Lungger]

  Thats AWESOME Will !!!!!!!!!
 You are truely a modern day Mountain Man!! You are a inspiration to all of us! There was a time in my life that I would of tackle about anything there was to do in life! But now, it is nice to see that there are still those like you, that still have the great American values to make your own stuff! I have allways been the kind of person that likes to make things i use. I find it so rewarding to be able to say, I made that!
Keep the good work!!
Later
ACE

[GunClick Rick]

UN FILIPPIN BELIEVABLE! :)Dang where's the History Channel,they missed this one.. We got to see it I was just wonderin how you project was comin along.Thanks Will for sharin with us,what an honor..THAT is way cool,them boys won't forget that one..

[River City John]

Will,
what a dream to follow.

I am impressed.
No, more than that, I am in awe!

RCJ

[Cactus Rope]

Just a quick note.  Got the dugout done enough to get 'er wet.  Still needs some work, but will have to wait till spring.  But, I've posted the update.

http://www.willghormley-maker.com/MakinADugoutCanoe.html

Will

Will
What an outstanding piece of work. Couple of questions.

In the opening photo, what is the building in the background? Looks awfully familiar.
What area did you get your log from? Doggone large.
Is that the Des Moines or the Raccoon river where you did your first test run?

Reason I ask is that I grew up just outside of Des Moines. Lived on a farm outside of a little town called Grimes. Made many a trip to Des Moines to scoop the loop when I was in high school.

Keep doin what your doin, your boys wiil appreciate it. I know all of us here really do.

Thanks,

 

[will ghormley]

Hey guys,

Glad y'all like the project.  I'll be happy next spring when I can finish her off.

Cactus Rope, that's the Des Moines Water Works building in the background of the first photo.  I got the log from Water Works Park, (with their blessing), and returned the tree to the Raccoon for her maiden voyage.

I've been kind'a scarce 'cause my computer went south on me a month ago.  It took a while, but a friend of mine was able to get me a used one from Iowa State's weekly surplus sale for a hundred bucks.  It's newer and faster than my old one so I'm happy.

I probably won't have much time to spend on the wire for a while 'cause I'm workin' on some new projects.  I'm gon'na make the buckle I used on the Jesse James replica rig, (which is also the buckle I used on Crowe's "Hand of God" rig.  When I get that done, I think I'm gon'na make a limited edition "Hand of God" pattern this winter.  But, since the buckles I used for Jesse James and Crowe were hand-made buckles and kind'a scarce, I wanted to make sure I had a supply of 'em for folks who wanted to make the rigs.  I might make some "Wheat Shock and Rosebud" conchos to go with the buckles too.  We'll see.

Take care amigos!
Will

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I like that buckle. It's really a good design. I'll keep an eye on your site to see when they're available.

[outrider]

Will,  Keep me in mind for one of those buckles also.

[Gun Butcher]

Will, you do take some amazing journeys my friend. Can't wait to hear about your first trip it should be a fine one .

[cowboywc]

Howdy Will
I was hoping while I was there for bridge festival I could get a chance to come a visit and see the canoe, but with the weather the way it was  just didn't feel like driving around much. Bridge festival was a bust.
Maybe next year.
WC