While wading a trout stream on Fort campbell over the past couple of months I often came across this object buried in the fine gravel and rock of the stream bed. Only the top edge of could be seen. Always reminded me of an old car rim about 14 inches in diameter.
So one day while fly fishing that section of stream, I decided to get that piece of junk out of the gin clear waters of the stream. After a considerable amount of effort I got it unstuck from the substrate and emptied it out and rinsed it in the stream.
What I had was a well rusted Dutch Oven totally intact! I walked over to a big flat rock, sat down and while staring at that oven I said...I wish you could tell me "your story"...where did you come from? How did you get here? Why were you left here? And on and on....
Remembering that Fort Campbell was built in 1940 and many farmsteads were taken over by the government and people sent away and their farms destroyed. I stared at the woods a moment and thought I saw a spot that very well could be an old home location.
That old Dutch Oven has most likely been there for at least 72 years. No other way it could have gotten there. That section of stream has a spring flowing into it from a rocky out cropping and most likely where water was drawn for cooking and such.
I put her back in the spot I found her, just like I found her...
Rest In Peace old pot!
Dave S