The Cragg Family, William, Cindy, and their son Tanner, believe simple moments spent around a fire are some of the most important things they can share as a family. We had the chance to meet the Cragg family at their home in the woods of Fraziers Bottom, West Virginia and learn how Solo Stove and firewood have helped their family overcome challenges and strengthen their bond to each other.
What’s the most important thing to the Cragg family?
Cindy: “A beautiful, wonderful family you can come home to everyday is what matters the most. We can sit around our Solo Stove every evening. [Spending time together] can be that simple, but it can be that satisfying. It was [also] really important for us to instill a love of the outdoors [to Tanner] from a young age.”
What challenges has your family faced and how have you been able to make it through stronger?
Cindy: “In June of 2009, Will had a motorcycle accident and lost his leg.”
William: “Losing the leg, for me, was losing independence. My ability to move forward has always been [dependent] on who I have around me. You have to look at what you have and find the best in it. It’s just taken a steep, hard learning curve of rediscovering how to make yourself comfortable with what you can’t control.”
You talked about the importance of teaching your child, Tanner, about the outdoors. What lessons do you want him to learn?
William: “I think most little boys have their first sense of independence when they can start a fire. Our connection with Solo Stove is the ability to find independence and be safe with it. Then, he gets to take over and say, ‘I know how to do this. I can start a fire. I know how to cook. I can take care of myself.’ This all leads to independence.
We hear you’re quite the tree expert, William. Tell us about your work as an arborist.
William: “Tree work is kind of an industrial extreme sport.”
Cindy: “He has always been into outdoor . . . extreme outdoor stuff. It’s extremely hard work, but I can see why Will loves it.”
William: “A big part of my job is the science behind trees and learning how to manage that wood.”
Cindy: “How much time do we have for the interview? Because he can get really nerdy about firewood, the dryness of it, when you should burn it, when you shouldn’t burn it, and what wood you should burn in your [fireplace].”
William: “Wood is a full circle product for me. We’re constantly in massive supply of wood. How we manage that wood and its byproducts is extremely important to me.”
What is it about fire that brings you closer as a family?
William: “A big part of this search for comfort is fire. The ability to sit around it, stay warm, and reminisce over the trials and tribulations of any day.”
Cindy: “We’ve always looked for that comfort of sitting around a fire, connecting as a family, and enjoying the simple things.
William: “For us, a fire has always been a sign for ‘Hey, come hang out!’ As soon as we get into fire season, we have a fire going.”