Help me around my sustainable small holding in Trout Lake valley, Washington State
Last activity
: 25 Oct 2024
Profile information
Usually responds within 7 days
Min stay requested: No minimum
Workawayers needed
Possibility that workawayers are needed
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Details
Host ref number: 615784487852
Feedback (12)
Left by Workawayer (Sarah & Arthur) for host
I had such an incredible two weeks staying at Jack's place! He is such a kind, interesting person, very easy to get along with. We worked to winterize a yurt, and did gardening and harvesting work. The days were pleasant and relaxed, yet we were able to get a lot done. Jack was so kind to take me on some adventures around his home, hiking, meeting
… read more friends, and exploring. He even taught me some primitive skills! He is one of the best people I've been lucky enough to meet and I will be returning to Trout Lake again soon. Thank you Jack!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent
)
Left by Workawayer (Etienne) for host
I’m french and I spent 1 month to the home of Jack, it’s a really beautiful place and he is a really good man, he was really patient with my horrible french accent… it was a pretty good adventure. Tank you very much Jack
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent
)
Left by Workawayer (Diego) for host
Jack has been my first workaway host, 14 days in total.
So sad to leave… but so happy to have had this enriching experience in this beautiful place.
Jack is a volcano, I guess that Trout Lake is the right place for him (Mount Adams is a sleepy snowy volcano and you can see traces of lava flows all around and underneath the valley). He is so full
… read more of things to do, ideas and projects. Strong personality, multiple skills and vast experience are combined with kindness and generosity. He went out of his way to make me feel comfortable, he was able to understand my “spaces” and “timing”, he has listened to my opinion even in things I was totally new to, he was curious and willing to get involved also in some interests of mines (like caving) and he tried to show me the most (possible) of his beautiful valley and world.
Gardening, planting seeds, using the weed wacker, setting up an irrigation system, tree cutting&pulling&chopping&splitting were mostly new to me. Jack has been very patient in showing and explaining me what, how and why to do these tasks. It’s a pity I was able to stay few days only (too few!), I am sure I would have had the chance to learn much more from Jack.
Asides, leisure was not missing: picking cherries and berries on the side of the road, having sauna, caving and hiking, playing soccer, driving a ’79 car and a ’81 truck, swimming at the creek…
Last but not least, I had the chance to meet very nice people, kind of Jack’s “blended family”… including animals all around.
What should I say more? … a deep and sincere thank you!
You guys will be always welcome at my place. Hope to see you again soon.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent
)Photos
I like to make things, here I am doing some precision cuts for a new idea for my horse drawn cart.
Feedback
Left by Workawayer (Sarah & Arthur) for host
I had such an incredible two weeks staying at Jack's place! He is such a kind, interesting person, very easy to get along with. We worked to winterize a yurt, and did gardening and harvesting work. The days were pleasant and relaxed, yet we were able to get a lot done. Jack was so kind to take me on some adventures around his home, hiking, meeting
… read more friends, and exploring. He even taught me some primitive skills! He is one of the best people I've been lucky enough to meet and I will be returning to Trout Lake again soon. Thank you Jack!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
Left by Workawayer (Etienne) for host
I’m french and I spent 1 month to the home of Jack, it’s a really beautiful place and he is a really good man, he was really patient with my horrible french accent… it was a pretty good adventure. Tank you very much Jack
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
Left by Workawayer (Diego) for host
Jack has been my first workaway host, 14 days in total.
So sad to leave… but so happy to have had this enriching experience in this beautiful place.
Jack is a volcano, I guess that Trout Lake is the right place for him (Mount Adams is a sleepy snowy volcano and you can see traces of lava flows all around and underneath the valley). He is so full
… read more of things to do, ideas and projects. Strong personality, multiple skills and vast experience are combined with kindness and generosity. He went out of his way to make me feel comfortable, he was able to understand my “spaces” and “timing”, he has listened to my opinion even in things I was totally new to, he was curious and willing to get involved also in some interests of mines (like caving) and he tried to show me the most (possible) of his beautiful valley and world.
Gardening, planting seeds, using the weed wacker, setting up an irrigation system, tree cutting&pulling&chopping&splitting were mostly new to me. Jack has been very patient in showing and explaining me what, how and why to do these tasks. It’s a pity I was able to stay few days only (too few!), I am sure I would have had the chance to learn much more from Jack.
Asides, leisure was not missing: picking cherries and berries on the side of the road, having sauna, caving and hiking, playing soccer, driving a ’79 car and a ’81 truck, swimming at the creek…
Last but not least, I had the chance to meet very nice people, kind of Jack’s “blended family”… including animals all around.
What should I say more? … a deep and sincere thank you!
You guys will be always welcome at my place. Hope to see you again soon.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
Left by host for Workawayer (Nicholas)
Nickolas, Was a great guest, he was very helpful and was very confident in his ideal model of a workaway guest. His project; is very interesting and almost puts the workaway experience into the spiritual realm of self sacrifice! Nickolas is not your average human being, he is complex, focused and very attentive of his own personal life study!
… read more While he preformed tasks for me with an almost accomplished perfection, he was at the same time listening to his own study through head phones, or he was documenting the tasks at hand with a go-pro camera. Most of his spare time he was working on his project or experiencing his own entertainment. Because he is also charismatic we watched some high hero image movies with him and went out to the local theater with him to watch the Guardians of the Galaxy! Nickolas is also very kind and considerate, and I learned something very important from him about taking care of "me" first and foremost! I recommend him to anyone he may contact!
Left by Workawayer (Nicholas) for host
I stayed with Jack for about six weeks and truly enjoyed my time with him and in the Trout Lake area. Jack provides his guests with various tasks and projects and is also very flexible and not too demanding compared to larger operations. He has a wealth of knowledge about many things and seems to truly enjoy sharing that information. He also goes
… read more above and beyond to show his guests around the area (which is absolutely gorgeous), whether it be hiking and clearing a trail, hunting for mushrooms, or heading into one of the nearby towns. Some people might not appreciate the accommodations (I stayed in a loft which had some issues with bugs/rodents), but Jack is constantly working on improving these conditions. Finally, I would say that the most powerful and prevalent experience that I had while staying with Jack is seeing what a real community looks like. He holds weekly saunas at his home (not in the summer season, though), which are essentially open to those interested in joining. These are followed by music, food, and socializing. We also spent time with his neighbors and helped them with projects, though they are leaving soon. His daughter and his friend Jane only added to the sense of family and community. Jack is a very kind and pleasant man and I would highly recommend staying with him if you are interested in learning valuable life skills and engaging in meaningful work. Thanks for everything, Jack!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Very good)
Left by host for Workawayer (X & A)
..Alex and Xiao were my workaway guests for about one month. Alex I can safely say is a charismatic, ambassador, and local historian from the Country of the Ukraine. He is no stranger to hard work and adds an element of art to what he does, He loves History, Adventure and having fun and documenting his and Xiao's journey as they go along, If you
… read more have a job that might be too big for the average person, ask Alex, he just might be able to do it!
Xiao is (if I can fantasize a minute) the long lost daughter of the last Emperor of China, beautiful, multi-talented, kind,and endearingly fierce with out a hint of anger,can rebuild an engine, help you with your business matters, and thoroughly understands the ins and outs of computers and Internet savvy beyond most people I have met. I just can not think of anything this person can not do!!!!!
On top of all that talent, Alex and Xiao are super reliable and trust worthy and personable, The kind of people you would invite to a family wedding with out hesitation!
Left by Workawayer (X & A) for host
Staying with Jack was our first workaway experience. It could not have been better! A tentative one week stay turned into two months on the farm with Jack. We were so sad to leave.
Jack is a gracious host. He not only opened his home to us, introduced us to families and friends, also showed us around the beautiful Pacific Northwest. He is kind,
… read more funny and skillful at many things: fixing cars, felting hats, soap, slippers, taking care of animals, logging, building... Spending time with Jack was like Alice in Wonderland, full of adventures. Come with an open mind and respect, you will learn so many things from him!
Trout Lake is a small town, it is about 30 minutes away from a sizeable town and an hour and half from Portland. However, it is full of hidden jems! Stop by the local coffee shop, grocery store and tavern, have a conversation with guys and girls hanging out there, you will have a great time! People are very open and friendly.
Thank you Jack! You are always welcome to our home! You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
Left by Workawayer (Vasilii ) for host
Jack is a very interesting man. He has a lot of pets and it is busy all day. He has a spacious, beautiful house with a beautiful view. And most importantly, healthy air. I spent two months there and it was fun. I trained horses and helped with the construction. The house has a magnificent piano that sounds amazing. Jack is very friendly person.
… read more You are sure to become friends, as we are. Thank you, Jack, for a memorable time!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
Left by Workawayer (Keeley) for host
I will admit I was a little nervous when I got on the train from Portland to begin my 9 or so days in Trout Lake with Jack, Kya and Jane, but within seconds of getting off the train and seeing Jacks big smile, I knew I was going to have a wonderful experience.
From picking 23 lbs of delicious blackberries(and making jam), to taking his horse out
… read more to the field, cleaning out the water tanks along the trail, helping to put up a fence around some veggies, to making delicious food and enjoying it with good conversation- there was never a dull or unenjoyable moment. I stayed in the loft which was very cozy. Jack loves kombucha, so if you are planning to come here, bring him some :)
Trout Lake is STUNNING and the views from his porch, or a 5 minute walk are indescribable. This experience & the people hold a very special place in my heart.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
Jack was our first ever workaway host! We spent about 3 weeks at his lovely house in magical Trout Lake. He's such a nice and generous man and friend. The work was fun and we learned a lot. He taught us felting and primitive fire making. We met even more nice people through Jack and had beautiful hikes with him. All the animals around his place
… read more were very nice.
Left by Workawayer (Sarah) for host
Jack hosted me for about 2 months and is one of the most generous, patient and kind people I've met. He made me feel comfortable and welcome in his lovely home and exposed me to many different skills, including primitive skills, food preservation and cooking, felting, fire-building and a general country lifestyle. Without a car the location can be
… read more remote and isolated, but can't be beat in terms of natural beauty. Jack has lots to share and teach so guests should be openminded and flexible in the tasks they will complete. I am so thankful Jack (and his daughter Kya, his dog Bobo, his cats, chickens and horse Taboona) had me as part of the family! You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
Left by Workawayer (Alex) for host
I had a great time staying with Jack! I spent three weeks there this summer and had a blast. The people are nice, the scenery is beautiful, and the work was fun. Jack taught me all sorts of stuff, from running a chain saw and splitting wood to felt making and primitive fire starting. We did plenty of hiking and there is a trail from his house
… read more connecting to a network of old logging roads on the mountains above. This is definitely a great place to go to experience the pacific northwest.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
Left by Workawayer (Yannik) for host
We could only stay a week but had a great time and managed to help out with a great variety of tasks.
We were luck enough to arrive on Sunday, which is sauna day in the winter months and met some of Jack's visiting family and friends. The week that followed involved looking after the place while Jack was away and helping out (and learning) when
… read more he was back. While away we were responsible for watering the salad garden and feeding a small collection of animals. We also tilled a little land ready for garlic planting and did some light gardening.
During our stay we took part in lots of different activities. We cleared and chopped wood, picked pears, collected some apples and made cider, went on walks, met neighbours, went to the tavern for live music etc etc. We also heard about Jack's long term building plans/dreams and I am going to do my best to come back next year and get involved with some of these structures he has planned! I enjoyed my time for sure and am happy that I was able to help and hang out with Jack.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
Left by Workawayer (Jack) for host
I spent 13 days at homestead of Jack F. I was there while he was away for the primitive
skills teaching of Rabbitstick Rendezvous in Idaho. The work was quite simple; it is just feeding the chickens, sheeps, dog and cats, and the horse with carrots, and watering the orchard and garden.
I would have like to work more like building a HugelKultur
… read more bed; given that there are plenty of dead tree trunks in the property. And should Jack F. was there, I will be able to learn more skills from him. He is quite skillfull !... building his house and repairing his car.
However, It was peaceful and it allowed me to relax and to reflect about my life.
I have the best salad with green and tomatoes from the garden.
Jack F. (the owner) is very kind. He introduced me to his ex-wife and the neighors who are also very kind and helpful.
I appreciate this great experience. You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
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Help me around my sustainable small holding in Trout Lake valley, Washington State
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