Here goes a cool series of photos taken last evening on a Quake Lake boating excursion. The disturbances in the water’s surface are action shots of rising trout, like a fisherman’s dream.
Silkblog
A goat that shoots silk is a work of art.
Obama was there! For two days!
I imagined that Obama’s Butte visit was just a couple hours long–a jet pit stop–but today I learned that he in fact stayed in Butte for 2 whole days, and during this time Davis Guggenheim, the maker of Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” was making a 5-10 minute documentary about Obama’s campaign using Butte as a backdrop. This seems so genius. since Butte is in many ways like Chicago in its early days. Obama is definitely aiming to have Montana vote democratic in the presidential election for only the 3rd time since 1948. I think it’s a good shot for him. Strategically the Obama campaign and those hovering around it can’t seem to do much wrong. Here’s some evidence he really was there, and you have to love the Butte mining structure in the background. Beautiful!
Oh yeah, and that’s Brian Schweitzer, the governor of Montana, in the lower right there. Apparently there’s buzz about him being one of ones they’re considering for VP. Interesting indeed.
Butte, America
Here are a few pictures from the 4th of July Parade in Butte, Montana. Barack Obama was actually in Butte today, and it had been publicized that he would march in this parade. Can you imagine the world’s eye suddenly turned on Butte? It reminds us of a time long ago when candidates canvassed the country by railroad. Unfortunately, however, a lack of security detail forced a last minute change of plans–to everyone’s disappointment–and Obama instead looked on from some safe-point. It’s a strange thing to have such a highly protected individual in a place like Butte, and frankly reminds us a little of the precious lone pregnant woman in the movie “Children of Men.” Later, Obama was present at a picnic event inside one of the town stadiums, which was limited to 2000 people who had been lucky enough to score free tickets in the days prior. We didn’t get any. Still, a good time was had by all in Butte, America.
Goatsilk’s Daily Treasures - Living Off The Land! Episode #20: Golden Deer Leg Fetish
Well, we’ve arrived at episode #20, the grand finale goal for Goatsilk’s Daily Treasure’s project. 20 days of treasure hunting, 20 rapid-fire videos with accompanying e-bay auctions. We’ve been heartened (and surprised!) at how many of Goatsilk’s Daily Treasures have sold on e-bay.
We found this severed deer leg and challenged ourselves to make it into something glorious, desirable, auctionable….watch the video to learn about the aura it contains, and see the visual upgrade we’ve applied by gold-coating it and attaching a set of Mongolian peacock feathers. BID HERE to make this magical piece your own! Happy bidding! And be sure check back regular to see what comes next from Goatsilk.
Goatsilk’s Daily Treasures - Living Off The Land! Episode #19: Lottery Nut Souvenir from West Yellowstone Curb
When scouring the wild land gets tiresome, we head for more urban terrain. West Yellowstone. It’s easy to find the valuable booty left behind by the millions of tourists passing through this hotspot at the edge of Yellowstone park. Yesterday we found a most curious object in a patch of grass on the edge of the sidewalk. It’s a comic sculpture of a “lottery nut,” depicted by a walnut who is crazy about playing the lottery. Sound familiar? I’m sure we all know one of these “nuts.” A bit more investigation revealed the origin of this unique piece-one of the nearby gift shops (of which there are dozens!) has a complete collection of these nuts. Stress nut, shopping nut, racing nut, golf nut, gun nut, sex nut, and so on. Who of us in America isn’t a “nut” about something. Plus, it’s just plain fun to say “nut” after almost any word in the English language. Try it out. “Goatsilk nut.” See how we imagine this unique (and nearly brand new) item came to be where we found it, and BID HERE to own this original souvenir from the kingdom of nuts in the heart of America.
Goatsilk’s Daily Treasures - Living Off The Land! Episode #18: Memento Pipe From Pioneer Estate
Today we stumbled upon the remnants of an individual with big dreams. Nestled into a remote and stunning hillside (we had to hike into 4 miles to get there) we found the modern day equivalent of some Grecian ruins. Bare steps, a fireplace, and a plumbing system with some genius behind it - not dissimilar from the ancient aqueducts. Also at the site was a set of paint cans, some of them still unopened and preserving the remains of a brilliant orange color paint. It amazes us that somebody would have attempted to set up such an elaborate living situation at such a time; the evidence defies the typical homesteader’s cabin and lends itself more towards something estate-like. Still, big dreams are quickly crushed by even bigger conditions. This person may have wanted too much; too much beauty, too much freedom. In the long run lust will sink anyone, and ambition becomes delusion. Our treasure today is a memento-sized piece of the pipe that was used in this adventurous attempt at plumbing system in the middle of a nowhere heaven. Like our other items from this special “midas touch” week, we’ve gold coated this luscious piece of piping, making it simply irresistable on the eye and in the hand. BID HERE to own this amazing pioneer artifact, and let it remind you that all dreams- even the ones that can crush you–are worth pursuing.
Goatsilk’s Daily Treasures - Living Off The Land! Episode #17: Bernadette Caruth’s Hammock Chain
History has taught us that rural life is hard. The prairie can rip you to shreds mentally. Communities are built and sustained on the understanding that you don’t let your melancholy bring the group down. But obviously people everywhere in every time have betrayed this “group committment” by indulging in their own existential despair over the horrors of life. Bernadette Caruth is one such figure from this lot. She withdrew from her clan into her hammock, and soon afterward the entire village was blown out. Today, more than a hundred years later, Goatsilk scavenged the Caruth home and found some remnants of Bernadette’s hammock refuge. This gorgeous hammock chain, which - like the bolt from earlier this week - we’ve coated in Excaliburian gold, is a one of a kind rare find. This could easily be used practically as a bike chain, decoratively as a necklace (i.e. Mr. T), or simply treasured for its historical poetics. Place your BID HERE without hesitation. You won’t be disappointed!
Goatsilk’s Daily Treasures - Living Off The Land! Episode #16: Verizon Vehicle Cell Charger
Every so often, we find something that gets lost before it ever even gets used, and that’s the case with today’s find, a Verizon cell phone car charger. The packaging is sealed but weathered, indicating it’s been exposed for some time, but the charger itself appears in fine condition. This charger works with the Verizon VX8100, VX1000, VX3200, VX3400, VX3450, VX4650, VX4700, VX5200, VX5300, VX6700, VX7000, VX8000, VX8300, and VX9800 models. It is notably not an aftermarket product, making it actually worth far more than the starting price of this auction (99 cents!) All you Verizon cell phone owners looking to take a road trip, this is your chance for a steal! BID HERE to make this item yours.
Goatsilk’s Daily Treasures - Living Off The Land! Episode #15: Golden Bolt From 1959 Earthquake
Here on Silkblog, Goatsilk likes to make you think, laugh, delight, and cry. Today’s daily treasure is somewhat of a heavy one in more ways than one. This golden bolt is solid as can be, produced in a time before steel was anodized. But we also believe this bolt to be a piece of the leftover wreckage from the infamous Aug. 17, 1959 earthquake (7.6 on the Richter scale!) that split a local mountain in half, severed one side with a clean slash, caused a massive avalanche that damned the Madison river and formed what is now known as Earthquake Lake, which exists today - quite beautifully - as a reminder of Mother Nature’s sudden powers. Many people lost their lives beneath the rubble on that fateful night. Highways were washed clean away, cabins set afloat, dams burst. It must have seemed like the end of the world had arrived. This bolt likely came from some of the infrascructure that preceded the massive quake, and we have taken the liberty of gold-coating it in honor of one Ms. Marylynn Gold, a nurse from Ennis who heroically helped in the rescue efforts. It’s dazzling in this gold plated format. An artifact and an artwork in one! A symbol of a tragic event that continues to create wonder, don’t be a fool and miss the opportunity to BID HERE and own the Golden Bolt from 1959.
Goatsilk’s Daily Treasures - Living Off The Land! Episode #14: Improvised Swimming Goggles
We live off the land, but we also live off the water! Today, our search took us to the bottom of Wade lake, where we made a strange discovery of a pair of aviator glasses lined in old masking tape. One can only imagine how these modified glasses came to rest on the lake floor- to be found and featured as the latest discovery in Goatsilk’s Daily Treasures. This is truly a one of a kind object, worthy of display or a stylish everyday use. Watch the video on how we imagine these glasses became encrusted by masking tape, then click HERE to bid and own this one of a kind pair of aviators!