tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31708456384469258272024-03-04T23:32:32.234-08:00Vamtek Circle H RanchFamily land - purchased by us for family outings. Home away from home.Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-88736817076102434352012-07-08T12:37:00.001-07:002012-07-08T12:37:10.258-07:00Driveway Clearing (again)Well...we sure had our work cut out for us but after many hours of clearing, running the trimmer, chainsaw and mower, we finally have the road cleared(again). I had plans to get 36 yards of road base brought in but at the last moment it rained and I didn't dare to have a dump truck come in with too much risk of it getting stuck.<br />
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Here are some new pictures to show the work I've been doing compared to the last batch of pictures. I did a lot of burning in the barrel because we still don't have water but we have put up a deposit to get a water meter put in. When the barrel is full, I usually sit back relax and take it easy until it is time to add more wood.<br />
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I only had to stir up the coals from the week before and it started right up when I added sticks. It must have been really hot to stay going for a whole week.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqqd9c_mKb4H-ihjn5JkcwYIMvNGVCj6F1QsA8xNRDJDd77C8u3acBrr2LdzPV_y6wzfNodaATzoR5Qup9Pgi7MuNReZU1sbPwSTz4jGW74R8jS-HSHrMJ2EIUc5hWwfK3qzQ_FFMLvE/s1600/July2012+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqqd9c_mKb4H-ihjn5JkcwYIMvNGVCj6F1QsA8xNRDJDd77C8u3acBrr2LdzPV_y6wzfNodaATzoR5Qup9Pgi7MuNReZU1sbPwSTz4jGW74R8jS-HSHrMJ2EIUc5hWwfK3qzQ_FFMLvE/s320/July2012+022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-85306276285989185892012-03-26T16:35:00.007-07:002012-03-26T20:55:50.069-07:00Springtime - Once Again<div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlozDcuLQbCvozdSGT95QDNnTRbv3DV9fDVlB3nMV3HJDaKudTLx_Jma1BKd7b_Hwv9yTh4mnSZ_xNJjlVO09lseKNUCInvr1JsBxnPGQub86MpEtKB3KvWiCnb24v0QN8L0d2xQKvT4/s1600/100_0412.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724355955219950450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlozDcuLQbCvozdSGT95QDNnTRbv3DV9fDVlB3nMV3HJDaKudTLx_Jma1BKd7b_Hwv9yTh4mnSZ_xNJjlVO09lseKNUCInvr1JsBxnPGQub86MpEtKB3KvWiCnb24v0QN8L0d2xQKvT4/s320/100_0412.jpg" /></a>
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<div>Well...we have all been extremely busy and as a result, much of the time we go out to the Circle-H, we go just to check on things. As dry as things were this past summer, nothing much changed. The clearing we made for a road was quite obvious and we could see everything that needed to be done.</div>
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<div>This January, we got out there and burned up another few brush piles but it seems that we just keep making more. We lost a lot of trees over the summer due to the drought. Then all of a sudden the weather has changed and we've been getting rain. Our pond is full to the brim, which makes me wish that I hadn't procrastinated renting a backhoe to dig it out better while it was dry. </div>
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<div>Last week Ann and I went out to "check on things" and found ourselves, once again, in a jungle. Here are some pictures for your entertainment. </div>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaL43ngCWxPysLowk3e9HjCdHqCW1xz72o7YUugS_fMBdKwSPAx_cU8SlhQWm9CIVviLh7bd5B7GyFXVzAtygcgwBqXuODuavAS_8sArcGD9cVp_Qntv5hgP66NK4GyZUXRjfuJP6oA4/s1600/100_0384.jpg"></a></div>
<div>"Here we are! Didn't this driveway used to be longer than this?"</div>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz431LDmokgYtGdl0vrpMah5vcOJd-HLyeJwmckkdpBfTat7DA2hxriAHH31oFY4U1zC6AjwkBgSHtH-3hp_PqmCCJfoQa22Py09cRrknTLnmsrJaUykFqFRNhHIVlKCHrtkS2jwmIMFE/s1600/100_0344.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724413648472183570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz431LDmokgYtGdl0vrpMah5vcOJd-HLyeJwmckkdpBfTat7DA2hxriAHH31oFY4U1zC6AjwkBgSHtH-3hp_PqmCCJfoQa22Py09cRrknTLnmsrJaUykFqFRNhHIVlKCHrtkS2jwmIMFE/s320/100_0344.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div>"Uh, How high are these weeds?"</div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZBau1mVtsz9LLKVw4J_0DpBFVVdaIfBgY1fOp5uCTaUxYMTby3pkM17wLY5AjaW7xBOG48Z-C5CiBJXCT6jMOgRNFlD7TCH49vTcMXKHKoqgSJl1EcFESlgGGiMkjVb9Lif5b721ZxU/s1600/100_0401.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724355950765065266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZBau1mVtsz9LLKVw4J_0DpBFVVdaIfBgY1fOp5uCTaUxYMTby3pkM17wLY5AjaW7xBOG48Z-C5CiBJXCT6jMOgRNFlD7TCH49vTcMXKHKoqgSJl1EcFESlgGGiMkjVb9Lif5b721ZxU/s320/100_0401.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaL43ngCWxPysLowk3e9HjCdHqCW1xz72o7YUugS_fMBdKwSPAx_cU8SlhQWm9CIVviLh7bd5B7GyFXVzAtygcgwBqXuODuavAS_8sArcGD9cVp_Qntv5hgP66NK4GyZUXRjfuJP6oA4/s1600/100_0384.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724355418142618578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaL43ngCWxPysLowk3e9HjCdHqCW1xz72o7YUugS_fMBdKwSPAx_cU8SlhQWm9CIVviLh7bd5B7GyFXVzAtygcgwBqXuODuavAS_8sArcGD9cVp_Qntv5hgP66NK4GyZUXRjfuJP6oA4/s320/100_0384.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div>"They are taller than me.", Said Ann.</div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRQTmZoSxViWYKQgrT82A4Skb49jt2U-DylJmLscxTRyigywoG4N5KZlrpv-nzEpZ3jNJnrZj8HZ73Wz7xZ5VgRPgUtVQtrtpD7M6Wu1KzOWu9OEz8St9jFMIHmjykyx-qQo5YympZDw/s1600/100_0386.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724355422215265634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRQTmZoSxViWYKQgrT82A4Skb49jt2U-DylJmLscxTRyigywoG4N5KZlrpv-nzEpZ3jNJnrZj8HZ73Wz7xZ5VgRPgUtVQtrtpD7M6Wu1KzOWu9OEz8St9jFMIHmjykyx-qQo5YympZDw/s320/100_0386.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EG-_JH0sRhBw3Zq_ON9bnq1QzjZQAeULCdAFAlkyPCbuwrz0HzFQRl66vLKRQMZVgdC7L02R7FCmReJMJQ7C0rWdcyMpT4ODI9p9O6F4XSv7jaIzLMUFp1EeuzVI5XHYEcZqz4aPyu4/s1600/100_0422.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724355958805518770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EG-_JH0sRhBw3Zq_ON9bnq1QzjZQAeULCdAFAlkyPCbuwrz0HzFQRl66vLKRQMZVgdC7L02R7FCmReJMJQ7C0rWdcyMpT4ODI9p9O6F4XSv7jaIzLMUFp1EeuzVI5XHYEcZqz4aPyu4/s320/100_0422.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div>"I guess I'll try to cut a path through here."</div>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMK9a2Dggm2Ze46EjNl87Ijqrh-wxxNFUV8PwjzsQjZPJIOvm_x4ninHDF6qZgdEolAiFjmOoocWBE2Aik7exSTCyE8wRyvL2wzQV8r2M52U00B5OJzJBZfr68MwygdCbEkBHKThMPBQ/s1600/100_0395.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724355425337624034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMK9a2Dggm2Ze46EjNl87Ijqrh-wxxNFUV8PwjzsQjZPJIOvm_x4ninHDF6qZgdEolAiFjmOoocWBE2Aik7exSTCyE8wRyvL2wzQV8r2M52U00B5OJzJBZfr68MwygdCbEkBHKThMPBQ/s320/100_0395.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwALW-Fokj_-ljGS-Bad9MsN3vvlGhTwJks9vv5VWHg5YJxOlLc51300ddW_beGdGYg56Lt4bmMEb8LoP2sTbaydopuwBpIIuB0kHQcjmh8m6Vp_mcfRXbfQ_f7VEed3hCAMKx_EZtI-8/s1600/100_0399.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724355947869326690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwALW-Fokj_-ljGS-Bad9MsN3vvlGhTwJks9vv5VWHg5YJxOlLc51300ddW_beGdGYg56Lt4bmMEb8LoP2sTbaydopuwBpIIuB0kHQcjmh8m6Vp_mcfRXbfQ_f7VEed3hCAMKx_EZtI-8/s320/100_0399.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div>"This stuff is sticky."</div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxIW2elFc3i_tYoZq554cCo5Q-vQXi-jghKz0GFijTv9UgWsr-l4aiDZ13hcrvcEBTNxm1rfRxscy2uoez1ySN4lzZUEWRyTRgEQVMH_pM0HThrWPIdShyAjHu79lcQ8s21b8ICD4KM4/s1600/100_0355.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724413655864686834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxIW2elFc3i_tYoZq554cCo5Q-vQXi-jghKz0GFijTv9UgWsr-l4aiDZ13hcrvcEBTNxm1rfRxscy2uoez1ySN4lzZUEWRyTRgEQVMH_pM0HThrWPIdShyAjHu79lcQ8s21b8ICD4KM4/s320/100_0355.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div>"Okay, I know what you're thinking...but the gun is loaded with shot shells...in case of snakes."</div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwy-JaeXTJ1M_L8Lk_qQ93v1TmQm1_s-UrdNR5Iwmvx2I7v3aEam4ScN2c6FA0L8j3ygSZor_Fo3nJcKX_vqI7cbPb7JhxDdytDUSeIhRu-X6HwsyQf6OsSxjPzBNITWBzVHucshQG0A/s1600/100_0396.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724355431263404114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwy-JaeXTJ1M_L8Lk_qQ93v1TmQm1_s-UrdNR5Iwmvx2I7v3aEam4ScN2c6FA0L8j3ygSZor_Fo3nJcKX_vqI7cbPb7JhxDdytDUSeIhRu-X6HwsyQf6OsSxjPzBNITWBzVHucshQG0A/s320/100_0396.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div>"Hey, have you seen the shed? I think it's around here somewhere."</div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolvnpJT7tGLmDLhuLLtk0gLONSsGNiWdHRdiDZJO5hUilEZFO_NiqUFwsObzIz1Mq3aM6stRDEor4zkZ7_2AXSNqvlDUzG-NmFVA_Zlqiad3rjifW7NE2gywDjNWD7tD53UQAZNZgtTo/s1600/100_0354.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724413661360239506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolvnpJT7tGLmDLhuLLtk0gLONSsGNiWdHRdiDZJO5hUilEZFO_NiqUFwsObzIz1Mq3aM6stRDEor4zkZ7_2AXSNqvlDUzG-NmFVA_Zlqiad3rjifW7NE2gywDjNWD7tD53UQAZNZgtTo/s320/100_0354.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrKJ2RiFeAIKBnL2o3pJnb9gyhnkjiDfmw7CmmCag6scrXgfUkx99yE-ZlwewhroChoBvG5uZu5dxqLQrDKwS_j7fjkgb0NMr5wWyJH_DeGcSdeVlT4qlAcwK3ZO2OLLHBg8vGLCelV8/s1600/100_0393.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724355423900184050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrKJ2RiFeAIKBnL2o3pJnb9gyhnkjiDfmw7CmmCag6scrXgfUkx99yE-ZlwewhroChoBvG5uZu5dxqLQrDKwS_j7fjkgb0NMr5wWyJH_DeGcSdeVlT4qlAcwK3ZO2OLLHBg8vGLCelV8/s320/100_0393.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghuXcbaG8jZl2bxBC4RMdFIVDGvr1QqqX1p1NBBK3yBnLLCq8JRqtZTIY5GLpfgOEP9hCARNhtEc5VO1MWhiCwZRSed7RRAed-pEm6frFMlBsqd-k903B8U4uf78eD0Vk7WFAfKgPglI/s1600/100_0364.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724413668086272706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghuXcbaG8jZl2bxBC4RMdFIVDGvr1QqqX1p1NBBK3yBnLLCq8JRqtZTIY5GLpfgOEP9hCARNhtEc5VO1MWhiCwZRSed7RRAed-pEm6frFMlBsqd-k903B8U4uf78eD0Vk7WFAfKgPglI/s320/100_0364.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div>It has certainly been a record breaking summer. We've had no measurable rain and almost 80 days of triple digit temps. The ground is dry and Central Texas is in flames. Our hearts go out to the over 1500 families who have lost their homes. I honestly can't imagine the upwelling of sorrow that has gone out from those who have lost everything.</div>
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<div>Yesterday Eric and I drove out to the ranch to check on things. We have not done must of anything all summer, simply due to the heat. We just have not been able to get much work done. Not to mention the ever increasing rise of fuel prices. It costs $100.00 to fill that tank in my truck. I get 19 miles to the gallon and burn 80 miles to get to the ranch and back. It's not that I can't afford it, but considering the little amount of actual work that gets done. I think we'll have to wait until it is cooler before we can focus on really getting any work done this year.</div>
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<div>On the way out to the ranch yesterday, we had to stop twice to put out fires on the roadside. We pulled off, jumped out, grabbed the shovel and rake and got to work putting one out...I ran up the road a ways and put out the beginning of another one. Then looking behind us the way we had just came was an even bigger fire on the roadside. We jumped back in the truck and took off. When we got onsite, there were several other people there, but it didn't look like they knew how to deal with the fire. Eric and I got busy and got it put out. One guy standing by looked at me and said "Thanks". When we were sure that it was out, we hopped back in the truck and continued on to the Circle H.</div>
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<div>We worked on clearing some of the dead briar away from the back fence and before we knew it our time was up. We had only planned on being out until noon, and our firefighting efforts had chewed up some of our time and energy. </div>
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<div>We did see a young horse over in the neighbors side of the fence. I gave a short whistle and he came over to say Hi. Eric and I gave him a couple of good pats to say hello and I used this as an opportunity to take a couple of pictures.</div>
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<div>Below you'll find some pictures of Eric and the neighbor's horse and some shots showing how dry the place is. Also, a couple of shots showing some wind damage to the shed where it has blown off some of the siding. We have some more work cut out for us before Winter hits. </div>
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<div>I hope you enjoy the pictures.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL3ULGXiEKEmjj2lM4a3cM8MSrF4goWKFvsSbpjUwHd93su0_pK-EVH9Ot1FPQqzH9w_FbjF4qOiuRct3SID5dzOxxQaWgX-ktxQHIO7t15FjjNRACOTYdphYT-l5o2jt5K112TFKk-g/s1600/Circle+H+september+2011+006.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651277975349561842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL3ULGXiEKEmjj2lM4a3cM8MSrF4goWKFvsSbpjUwHd93su0_pK-EVH9Ot1FPQqzH9w_FbjF4qOiuRct3SID5dzOxxQaWgX-ktxQHIO7t15FjjNRACOTYdphYT-l5o2jt5K112TFKk-g/s320/Circle+H+september+2011+006.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6qmOe2idwsFoDvwwBYmv8IHa2buex5jb7kKlbX-XenvxFZUFA4f7xQqqfBF_18hwOAXgx8-9oW0iEm4-PkcsyAOAXMdrPHqXgTgKTf-VIhgenaY1Qkc3SMtklKn48cQnt_CaUBOZMtM/s1600/Spring+at+Circle+H+004.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595533161192227746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6qmOe2idwsFoDvwwBYmv8IHa2buex5jb7kKlbX-XenvxFZUFA4f7xQqqfBF_18hwOAXgx8-9oW0iEm4-PkcsyAOAXMdrPHqXgTgKTf-VIhgenaY1Qkc3SMtklKn48cQnt_CaUBOZMtM/s320/Spring+at+Circle+H+004.jpg" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxVrwDK2ywbkiPM12Y45fes7o1MMDdJ-Xd1YOhtwmuIdnCsDs9znYARNBwan8OHNdBICiMmaHW6IJG7IW3eUMWUZLoc-z4hyOdZHr_0T7Uw8gpLQG8NjrY1rejRhys0jiuN0rMVuflR4/s1600/Spring+at+Circle+H+003.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595533160544493890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxVrwDK2ywbkiPM12Y45fes7o1MMDdJ-Xd1YOhtwmuIdnCsDs9znYARNBwan8OHNdBICiMmaHW6IJG7IW3eUMWUZLoc-z4hyOdZHr_0T7Uw8gpLQG8NjrY1rejRhys0jiuN0rMVuflR4/s320/Spring+at+Circle+H+003.jpg" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7Sz0VBrtZTCmqAR_dLja6rthB-C1FoTcOWOIzffT41JMYOAdwRxa6ECDyCYhOyHRF4tWuGj13vC62FrZotSYf5YiWY2hNuzgbUwuNmusah5HxNzgBqUnHE7bw2eNb_rzm1of5Dygq94/s1600/Spring+at+Circle+H+001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595533155584603794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7Sz0VBrtZTCmqAR_dLja6rthB-C1FoTcOWOIzffT41JMYOAdwRxa6ECDyCYhOyHRF4tWuGj13vC62FrZotSYf5YiWY2hNuzgbUwuNmusah5HxNzgBqUnHE7bw2eNb_rzm1of5Dygq94/s320/Spring+at+Circle+H+001.jpg" /></a>
<div>Well, it's springtime. Lots to do. It has been a couple of weeks since I went out to check on the place. I spent a few hours out this week clearing a few more trees and getting a few more stumps up out of the roadway. I'd like to get another load of roadbase put down soon before it gets too hot. I had hoped to do that this week, but I had more higher priorities happening this week so it will have to wait.</div>
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<div>I did take a few pictures to document how things are looking this year. I enjoy going out here. I wish I could do it more often.</div>
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<div>I hope you enjoy the pictures.</div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rRiLBOq3KzyWRN_WYsGBNTqDu-6r5MByYBOCQx24Wi9VjsznmvGhdI5BkO9hxeHiwlMDVAwtdGbFZhYUP8rq4n3RNVTY4LkEV3-3uqzHPRq5Pc1xJxljBUylpO4WJL577h8XT6fBea4/s1600/Owl+in+Shed+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 279px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567797639967256274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rRiLBOq3KzyWRN_WYsGBNTqDu-6r5MByYBOCQx24Wi9VjsznmvGhdI5BkO9hxeHiwlMDVAwtdGbFZhYUP8rq4n3RNVTY4LkEV3-3uqzHPRq5Pc1xJxljBUylpO4WJL577h8XT6fBea4/s320/Owl+in+Shed+2.jpg" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcPBNp_p-cXGcie1uFrXNdY_BNIdYbPdwTH8HuU-ctqe131Xgmn3iVCjrThvXs_HDKfNTbt8HhjpdChhr-87qKyxew9YfsL_bsfoesM1ju3ofcUv5nC4EHSBzA0D7qCwyzu9DeUyMyDs/s1600/Owl+in+Shed+1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 153px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567797635304522978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcPBNp_p-cXGcie1uFrXNdY_BNIdYbPdwTH8HuU-ctqe131Xgmn3iVCjrThvXs_HDKfNTbt8HhjpdChhr-87qKyxew9YfsL_bsfoesM1ju3ofcUv5nC4EHSBzA0D7qCwyzu9DeUyMyDs/s320/Owl+in+Shed+1.jpg" /></a>
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<div>Okay, I remembered to bring my camera this time and sure enough, I caught some pictures before he flew off. The window there is 2 feet wide so you have a good point of reference for how big and beautiful this owl actually was. I think it's pretty awesome. Of course, Todd wasn't very happy with the amount of mess they are making in his shed. We'll seal up the holes in the rafters this next weekend and then they'll have to live somewhere else.</div></div></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwc_VjvZMGGbFUeNVydbjB012ulclcAFA8khGiJkdnKHia5yNKUHLjS8UYSq2r-771VKMrQsGH3uziyTsTCZA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-88596054328583290722011-01-23T09:28:00.000-08:002011-01-29T18:23:26.784-08:00The Mighty Owls<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRX1SeL-eWMSjFZPPldLoXnTbVI7XMVFFFYmUO_bciom5KDVnb26eEv87Gr6k8xQCEh8r_TixAutt7lqj0llvIfsXObDsHlSDjpJY3qGvl8gGd3pMDkCVVl5XUt6PfLJmFceAxHC2QDo/s1600/barn-owl.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565454632312708130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRX1SeL-eWMSjFZPPldLoXnTbVI7XMVFFFYmUO_bciom5KDVnb26eEv87Gr6k8xQCEh8r_TixAutt7lqj0llvIfsXObDsHlSDjpJY3qGvl8gGd3pMDkCVVl5XUt6PfLJmFceAxHC2QDo/s320/barn-owl.jpg" /></a> I have always thought that Owls were awesome creatures. In my life time I have seen them swoop down and catch mice without really missing a beat of their wings. They are magestic birds that are equal to other predator birds and only surpassed by maybe Hawks, Falcons or Eagles.
When I was in High School, our school mascot was the Owl. As a student I just didn't quit understand why a school would call themselves the fighting owls. After all, didn't owls just sit up in the tree tops and Hoot?
It wasn't until I was much older before I realized that Owls were truely magnificent predators.
Yesterday, Eric and I went out to the Ranch to burn some brush. Before we started we hiked out to Todd's Shed to check on it. Todd didn't have time to finish it or seal it up from the weather and the past few weeks had been pretty rainy and cold. I wanted to make sure that it had held up.
When we opened the door and walked in, it was obvious that some birds had been enjoying having a roof overhead. There were dropping all over the place. There were also some Gray balls about the size of golf balls or a little smaller. I wondered out loud, "What in the heck are these?"
Eric stopped to take a better look, pulled out his knife and cut one open and found some small bones and a skull. "I know what these are." Eric exclaimed. "These are owl droppings." I was facinated because I had never seen anything like it. The large amount of them got me to wondering where they could be nesting.
I looked around and after ruling out most places, I moved over to where a couple of sheets of OSB plyboards were stacked up against the wall. I leaned them out away from the wall, looked down at the floor and saw a fairly large owl sitting there.
I leaned the boards back and said to Eric, "I think I found out where the owl is." At that instant a large barn owl came flying out of his hiding place and flew up to the rafter peak, (where I imagine he had been getting in), and in a panicked state, couldn't get out. So, he started circling the room just over our heads and landing at every window.
It was an awesome site to see a bird with a 4 foot wingspan circling inside a 14 foot square building but at the same time. I knew that its beak and talons could tear up my flesh with little effort. I was not in any hurry to see how badly it could hurt us. I used my walking staff to reach over and push the door open. After a couple of circles around in the shed, the owl noticed the opening and flew off.
I was so overwhelmed at the silence of the great bird. How huge it was. How close we had been to it and how surreal the whole experience was. I wished that I had had my camera with me but in afterthought, I'm not sure I would have had the presence of mind to get it out and record anything let alone get a picture. The whole thing was over in about 30 seconds.
This particular owl was absolutely beautiful. I would say that it's body was about the size of an average house cat. I'm guessing at it's wingspan but I would have to estimate that it was somewhere between 4 and 5 feet.
Upon further inspection, we fould another smaller owl hiding in the same spot but she was not interested in moving from her hiding place. I suppose that we experienced natural behavior in the fact that the male flew off as a distraction to protect the female. I assume that the male flew off because it had such beautiful coloring and the other one looks more like it was camouflaged in the same pattern as the woods.
After this experience, we sat down for a quick lunch and then propped open the door and went and burned brush for the next several hours. Upon returning to the shed, we noticed that the female had left.
It was quit an interesting day at the ranch. It all goes to show you that if you put a shed out in the middle of nowhere and don't live in it, wildlife will move in. Honestly, I was expecting mice. However, with owls living there, mice won't be an issue.
I did some research online and found a picture of a typical Texas Barn Owl that looks pretty close to the one that flew around inside Todd's shed. The next time I go out to the ranch, I'm going to have my camera at the ready.Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-65488893006249354362010-12-18T09:45:00.000-08:002010-12-18T11:03:07.320-08:00Shhhhhhh I'm Hunting Rabbits<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xgo_sfj8uwJvdogzHd4HP7eiNIoFh9R2Hyau6Jj46ETg0H9p6RFIg2dqWoSZjC7uHy4bwUKOU1GQXjtPW45CvzGY5law7_w2NzoPE1KTW8Dl5xQos8k6SuL4ihsdHZvIE0MnfaHsMDQ/s1600/Eric_ZepHunting.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552088045275582786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xgo_sfj8uwJvdogzHd4HP7eiNIoFh9R2Hyau6Jj46ETg0H9p6RFIg2dqWoSZjC7uHy4bwUKOU1GQXjtPW45CvzGY5law7_w2NzoPE1KTW8Dl5xQos8k6SuL4ihsdHZvIE0MnfaHsMDQ/s320/Eric_ZepHunting.jpg" /></a>
<div> </div><div>Rabbit hunting with Son and Grand-son. Well...more like 2 and a half hours of chasing rabbits around. You know how it is. You walk around as quiet as you can...two feet ahead of you a rabbit suddenly appears and then runs off before you can say "Bugs".</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxjVg8A1XM1AkVyDZTTl7bYv7MxXyGrBPUDpGd0SFpsog-pOcxehwSauvsHG4cP__1blLuVJUj8lOyEONAePO3lQIB9XLOCCFfyR6CG51_TSCDPXjqs2J-npaKKCRO-oVlTBd3XFR4NA/s1600/Rabbit+Hunting+007.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD-shhllQXg79wj4Vn0Dkoz6QQfDcPKX1aqNgkKbs6cgK73PSOTnN-sxWaTDqaRgI9Rm06ILvyAGT709ypSnhEvi4A23VjgMMH37NqQYVtCLPUHM7pIzOT-QqrIUYWFLcJhuNEWvLNbw/s1600/Rabbit+Hunting+001.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552088037875474082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD-shhllQXg79wj4Vn0Dkoz6QQfDcPKX1aqNgkKbs6cgK73PSOTnN-sxWaTDqaRgI9Rm06ILvyAGT709ypSnhEvi4A23VjgMMH37NqQYVtCLPUHM7pIzOT-QqrIUYWFLcJhuNEWvLNbw/s320/Rabbit+Hunting+001.jpg" /></a></div><div>
</div><div></div><div>The ranch has quite a large cotton tail population. Not to mention an abundant assortment of other rodents, mice, rats, and other ground dwelling critters. The hawks and Owls are very healthy.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxjVg8A1XM1AkVyDZTTl7bYv7MxXyGrBPUDpGd0SFpsog-pOcxehwSauvsHG4cP__1blLuVJUj8lOyEONAePO3lQIB9XLOCCFfyR6CG51_TSCDPXjqs2J-npaKKCRO-oVlTBd3XFR4NA/s1600/Rabbit+Hunting+007.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552088060881611810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxjVg8A1XM1AkVyDZTTl7bYv7MxXyGrBPUDpGd0SFpsog-pOcxehwSauvsHG4cP__1blLuVJUj8lOyEONAePO3lQIB9XLOCCFfyR6CG51_TSCDPXjqs2J-npaKKCRO-oVlTBd3XFR4NA/s320/Rabbit+Hunting+007.jpg" /></a>
</div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I've never seen any coyotes but I've discovered their scat and seen their prints in the mud on occasion by the pond.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>Eric and Zep wanted to go rabbit hunting. Eric had discovered a rather appetizing recipe for rabbit and was anxious to try it out. I needed to recover a ladder that I had left at the shed because I needed to clear out my gutters before winter rain hits and I promised the dear wife that I would hang Christmas lights up this year at the house.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0sSj9fVKNRaKa_saNNiDDByztHzbWCCEMGoFn517nWfFzNljppuyC2Q0E734TBiGdNRerO3TkP-0uETQVz7zTODRvzNHX3aqmv7xX12CrTNZ1EsVeBQbl-qhGlWkV1l0mFx4hGOd7Ew/s1600/Rabbit+Hunting+002.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552088052017201634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0sSj9fVKNRaKa_saNNiDDByztHzbWCCEMGoFn517nWfFzNljppuyC2Q0E734TBiGdNRerO3TkP-0uETQVz7zTODRvzNHX3aqmv7xX12CrTNZ1EsVeBQbl-qhGlWkV1l0mFx4hGOd7Ew/s320/Rabbit+Hunting+002.jpg" /></a>
</div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>So...we got a bright early start on Saturday afternoon around 2pm. That put us at the ranch around 3pm. By my reckoning that gives us about 2.5 hours of daylight left.</div><div>
</div><div></div><div>We had lots of fun. At dusk, I decided to grab my ladder and take it to the truck. Now, you need to understand that the distance from the shed to where I parked my truck is about one quarter of a mile. Later on that fact will become more clear.</div><div>
</div><div></div><div>Once I had stowed my ladder securely in the bed of my truck and tied it down, I decided to go look for Eric and Zep. My now it was getting pretty dark. I found them about 800 feet away, still hunting. </div><div>
</div><div></div><div>Eric had just taken a shot and asked me to go to the truck and get his LED flashlight so he could track the blood trail. So...off I went to the truck to retrieve the light.</div><div>
</div><div></div><div>Back in the brush, there was no sign of a blood trail so we began our walk back to the truck. Along the way, Eric heard a rustle in the brush, shined his light on it and saw a single glowing eye. He handed me the light and asked me to keep in on that spot and he took another shot. We saw the rabbit hop about 3 feet and stop. </div><div>
</div><div></div><div>(Now, I'm going to pause here and mention that Eric was using a .177 pellet gun that he had just bought at Wal-Mart. We had zeroed in the scope previously and he was really chomping at the bit to use it to get a rabbit.)</div><div>
</div><div></div><div>Okay, back to the story. I kept the light on it while Eric took another shot. Down went the rabbit right at the spot. Upon further inspection, we learned that the first shot had gone through it's ear. The second shot in the head. It was a fully grown rabbit about a year old based on what it's ears and teeth looked like.</div><div>
</div><div></div><div>We walked back to the truck, there was a small table nearby that would be perfect for quartering the bunny. </div><div>
</div><div></div><div>Eric started skinning it and then asked me if I had any water. I answered, "I have some water back in the shed. Do you want me to go get it?" He replied in the affirmative. So...I headed back to the shed. Remember how far I said it was? By now it was pitch black outside. The sky was clear and there were so many stars visible that I couldn't identify anything. The milkyway was visible and I was looking heavenward as I walked. </div><div>
</div><div></div><div>When I was about 800 feet from the truck, I heard a pack of coyotes going wild, the howls and barking was awesome. I can't help it, I love that sound. I thought to myself, "They must be feasting on rabbit or something. They sounds like they are quite happy." As I turned a curve, it got suddenly very quiet. My mind immediately raced and I realized that the coyotes were much closer than I must have thought. Then after a moment, I told myself that the sudden silence at my approach means that I'm the predator here. So, I turned on my flashlight and shined it around the woods and kept walking to the shed to retrieve the water. On my return trip, I saw a huge owl swoop down from overhead to retrieve something on the path and vanish into the trees. To be honest, at that moment, I was having the time of my life.</div><div></div><div>
</div><div>When I got back to Eric and Zep, He was almost done with the process and needed the water to rinse off the meat and his knife. He packed it in ice and went were on our way back to the city.</div><div>
</div><div></div><div>All in all, I got a pretty good amount of walking done. It was a very nice night. </div><div> </div><div>I hope you enjoy the pictures that I took.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHOC6pa6yGJC143SlunJPrPFg7IUjtFxHJATkX0hj8cWH2cB_sCVoTPYRa6S1I6RhsPf94JpGdkpmGJ4CmJg6K6NO36zE2MtZAJ2pzi8fCKgxdb4J8GVgkjLkfUnDVolByoHV_erptnA/s1600/Rabbit+Hunting+003.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552088054148243970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHOC6pa6yGJC143SlunJPrPFg7IUjtFxHJATkX0hj8cWH2cB_sCVoTPYRa6S1I6RhsPf94JpGdkpmGJ4CmJg6K6NO36zE2MtZAJ2pzi8fCKgxdb4J8GVgkjLkfUnDVolByoHV_erptnA/s320/Rabbit+Hunting+003.jpg" /></a>
</div><div></div><div> </div></div></div></div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-47186082192989276222010-12-18T09:12:00.000-08:002010-12-18T09:30:44.278-08:00The Shed is UpMe and my sons all went out to the ranch and finished building the shed. It now has four sides, windows and a door. We'll have to wait for Todd to get back from his TDY assignment before we put up weather proofing, siding etc. The pitch of the roof isn't much but I think it'll be alright. The center is 12 inches higher than the edges. Todd is planning on getting regular siding installed when he gets back. After that we'll work on wind and/or solar power for electricity.
It may not look like much but it is solid and has already held up to some very high winds. Since none of us are carpenters, I think we did a good job.
Here are some pictures.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmM_zHyhMPsm6xop5pS0SDX0kp_dfZJ1uc_loa_NkWSiWUQbYeQRdOXN5f8FU6eWab3bKhWnUVJpFh7MNDCgFWcm3WFzF2Jo3oxFwykfk_c9kwXi88PpDD7MSRIkIEaGJ2NT0C_daCnI/s1600/A+look+inside+010.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552073369561129890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmM_zHyhMPsm6xop5pS0SDX0kp_dfZJ1uc_loa_NkWSiWUQbYeQRdOXN5f8FU6eWab3bKhWnUVJpFh7MNDCgFWcm3WFzF2Jo3oxFwykfk_c9kwXi88PpDD7MSRIkIEaGJ2NT0C_daCnI/s320/A+look+inside+010.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij66ewqwCzRHCNELnW8OBMRDkChezTjaKjOgDOsa4kDtnKw8iUwZU4e_7bAnsy9DfSPReDcfimCXGLVrSr3wWvhlDd5IpEOAuNfbbLZqlcRVmWvjluOtpUjDdGyu95ecV17sanz5WxNp4/s1600/At+the+door+011.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552075391490858306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij66ewqwCzRHCNELnW8OBMRDkChezTjaKjOgDOsa4kDtnKw8iUwZU4e_7bAnsy9DfSPReDcfimCXGLVrSr3wWvhlDd5IpEOAuNfbbLZqlcRVmWvjluOtpUjDdGyu95ecV17sanz5WxNp4/s320/At+the+door+011.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnrD075LyeKaIihw3CQUfrrbkA6HJ3FljUjTq2mUXr8Q9yNWG-qaDEv4vt-DyMbpVf9OXlcW50R5yv70QZ_Sdw5YgxwgEyoOV4t9V8rV4CYTw4yIDPfd2tQYOm3eJD6QKbFo39mYKVo0/s1600/At+an+angle+012.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552073366319386098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnrD075LyeKaIihw3CQUfrrbkA6HJ3FljUjTq2mUXr8Q9yNWG-qaDEv4vt-DyMbpVf9OXlcW50R5yv70QZ_Sdw5YgxwgEyoOV4t9V8rV4CYTw4yIDPfd2tQYOm3eJD6QKbFo39mYKVo0/s320/At+an+angle+012.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabYgOwdgd-mLANKjGfEDai2meFwljyOlCoxKC2p_EOTlW3vbZiDvQ1TT2QXrnYxCNgtEAbrp74Yg5NHIwxGkytZ68AFUqMp2G-2eXFaskb7_8Mnzd7kRx42qGizss5gVFdjPAsLybg4k/s1600/From+the+clearing+015.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552073374633021906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabYgOwdgd-mLANKjGfEDai2meFwljyOlCoxKC2p_EOTlW3vbZiDvQ1TT2QXrnYxCNgtEAbrp74Yg5NHIwxGkytZ68AFUqMp2G-2eXFaskb7_8Mnzd7kRx42qGizss5gVFdjPAsLybg4k/s320/From+the+clearing+015.jpg" /></a>
<div></div>
<div></div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-38199442470588598102010-12-05T07:36:00.000-08:002010-12-05T08:01:06.680-08:00The Framing has begunWe hand carried every single stick of lumber through the trails we cut. So every piece you see here was carried 1200 feet from where we park. Once we got all of the lumber hauled back to the site, it was time to start framing. We all managed to pick a free weekend (labor day weekend) and we got busy. I loaded up everything into the RV and hooked it up. It is always a good time when I'm able to work side by side along with my sons. The worse thing about the whole thing was that I realized that the sun was simple sucking all of my energy out of me. If I moved into the shade I was fine or if the sun was blocked by a cloud. The second that the sun was directly on me, I would almost black out. I realized that my blood pressure medicine specifically says "avoid direct sunlight", but I didn't think it would be my Kryptonite.
The pictures below will tell the story and you'll be able to see how things came together. Not too bad for a couple of guys that really don't know anything about carpentry.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazxWatL7lGF94viXDO5rH9RlKuPJ7r0ZnDCCdo_IVQJ4mlhxbmMAC5lPat32gBBQCBqYhGBiu9Ub5AV2nsZFzpHIWgFl38fGvhp95jowjtZ0LZv5foDTJtWaKSU3pGt0bWT-MxlgSzD4/s1600/2.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547223373586687026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazxWatL7lGF94viXDO5rH9RlKuPJ7r0ZnDCCdo_IVQJ4mlhxbmMAC5lPat32gBBQCBqYhGBiu9Ub5AV2nsZFzpHIWgFl38fGvhp95jowjtZ0LZv5foDTJtWaKSU3pGt0bWT-MxlgSzD4/s320/2.JPG" /></a>
Laying out the first section.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJAT7J8nQxgdfwnRJ5so7Y23W0bqjQQNeWNKyiiT1a4r6elO6iT-sGWs9dAZWt4EznyPN2q9HaaRLYj0Ynqtjrvi5kmVYGfuwWQwwHF1kgDLLfuO7reEILwNXutYOVA3zCfcoud4xvA4/s1600/4.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547223379696229666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJAT7J8nQxgdfwnRJ5so7Y23W0bqjQQNeWNKyiiT1a4r6elO6iT-sGWs9dAZWt4EznyPN2q9HaaRLYj0Ynqtjrvi5kmVYGfuwWQwwHF1kgDLLfuO7reEILwNXutYOVA3zCfcoud4xvA4/s320/4.JPG" /></a>
Two walls up and braced.
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xxdr1t8QnCtdTq2Llnx3KLNw8xIpdsK7f-20N608xWziuL9pM_5n1lHB1Q2dNNyU6rh6R-2MZAlY76zMQ76fGuWLiYx1kvFO8-JtQG2dvZTKnQVrsV9s66UXVklryTeh-u2g7_IUph8/s1600/6.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547223379376562802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xxdr1t8QnCtdTq2Llnx3KLNw8xIpdsK7f-20N608xWziuL9pM_5n1lHB1Q2dNNyU6rh6R-2MZAlY76zMQ76fGuWLiYx1kvFO8-JtQG2dvZTKnQVrsV9s66UXVklryTeh-u2g7_IUph8/s320/6.JPG" /></a>
Me and Eric standing under the only shade available.
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AREgzgxj6E1dDW6NgEL7iYP62MkpK1DER73DKYjw5jtShlBnWk4PFYXvh97CCGN-gNhrhO5KuozZN1nkzcKczXip8gYBvh46CcVSbV_SnXJMYpvMmVDnKP-fZwYPE7SUMv_fZq2TJhQ/s1600/7.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547223382456249090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AREgzgxj6E1dDW6NgEL7iYP62MkpK1DER73DKYjw5jtShlBnWk4PFYXvh97CCGN-gNhrhO5KuozZN1nkzcKczXip8gYBvh46CcVSbV_SnXJMYpvMmVDnKP-fZwYPE7SUMv_fZq2TJhQ/s320/7.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8iTXSp8cPcPaxPFONP8ebTYbHi-1BmqBs7cp2V5uiw6OlLDb7D-TS9FkXZe7mHnaV_uWPQmqhcST6Q1zMIzUuVRu9O4HX6dgV9E8fnRqrVEBnoT8P12TQ5K8tvVGaK2724ikjXeJXXo/s1600/14.JPG"></a>
</div><div> </div><div>Four walls up and braced.</div><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6mzaQ_Qnq6_cSVMmPlVvkERRPNOrrbOO9FNTikduDlAbaYm_84Pm8AOLzsJOxM5_w7WaY8WNj_fbwmtCSOt_Gk1MD4aOKgKdnW-7vDJgeS-PWOQW5tVbNIDq7r024UuPhSW9wL2quek/s1600/17.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547223728588502594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6mzaQ_Qnq6_cSVMmPlVvkERRPNOrrbOO9FNTikduDlAbaYm_84Pm8AOLzsJOxM5_w7WaY8WNj_fbwmtCSOt_Gk1MD4aOKgKdnW-7vDJgeS-PWOQW5tVbNIDq7r024UuPhSW9wL2quek/s320/17.JPG" /></a>
</div><div> </div><div>Ok, not much of a pitch to the roof, but what can I say? Did I mention that I'm not a carpenter? That is a 1 foot rise over 8 feet.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbrH7tlm6ZbWz0GUYfJGQXyKB_3p0USn6Ktet5rjnFB6aOLvSFchcPmvIm8aUtorxVdNuQ1sYppBPFqqGOq5c39b__NZoG_SsOtdxjZe6CkpPgdwmQFoF-hiXqy5r0gix3WCNCD7c4SQ/s1600/12.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547223722961884802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbrH7tlm6ZbWz0GUYfJGQXyKB_3p0USn6Ktet5rjnFB6aOLvSFchcPmvIm8aUtorxVdNuQ1sYppBPFqqGOq5c39b__NZoG_SsOtdxjZe6CkpPgdwmQFoF-hiXqy5r0gix3WCNCD7c4SQ/s320/12.JPG" /></a>
</div><div>Todd did reveal a talent for trying to kick over the ladder while he was standing on it. Now I know why his ladder is bent. Ha Ha!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfj3UAcCZhR_-F1OZabZxrE_LVvToSwIFdJjcbV4Zi6_63MRhNEN5gXXMzuqtYXq0XXv27B_TDMk5ito7bb6w-fxJrxXc23oDmzhyphenhyphensfzHOHyEnb3QWjPzfI7mxbBsKImbr0CKUdB_BpA/s1600/11.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547223722063505778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfj3UAcCZhR_-F1OZabZxrE_LVvToSwIFdJjcbV4Zi6_63MRhNEN5gXXMzuqtYXq0XXv27B_TDMk5ito7bb6w-fxJrxXc23oDmzhyphenhyphensfzHOHyEnb3QWjPzfI7mxbBsKImbr0CKUdB_BpA/s320/11.JPG" /></a>
<div><div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-67340442120492820332010-06-25T12:59:00.000-07:002010-08-29T15:31:27.115-07:00A weekend of blood, sweat and no tears<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA47k78hJP58SMej7Iwn0heXtGA4c76TxTNIO-m6I0DxrlHy-4h4IBzTkfY2LDlqGXg1dHusb3FhocXto_9zAbR2Ez21xkrW6etAqhvGsgt1E9iADYjtYvyt5EKi5PIs_Q1zEVgpioyg/s1600/May-June+2010+044.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486805142659120738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA47k78hJP58SMej7Iwn0heXtGA4c76TxTNIO-m6I0DxrlHy-4h4IBzTkfY2LDlqGXg1dHusb3FhocXto_9zAbR2Ez21xkrW6etAqhvGsgt1E9iADYjtYvyt5EKi5PIs_Q1zEVgpioyg/s320/May-June+2010+044.jpg" /></a> These are pictures from June, but I never posted them. Ooops...so I'll try to catch up. The three of us have been trying to stay ahead of the rapic growth this summer and it has been a losing battle. That combined with everything going on in our lives, it has been a real struggle getting anything done.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73SUNJV0ChGRTYXB02FE9E3Ul7jDfWkXu5ze0s6LIAnFApj6TcLOWUpdN6iTc_l1onDb2iW6vt7TV1T97_goGqIJYi9XJGl36keOwca_GhRBHpVdghLHCd_IEAoJwR_tAJlq9teNRzPE/s1600/May-June+2010+043.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486805135935549746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73SUNJV0ChGRTYXB02FE9E3Ul7jDfWkXu5ze0s6LIAnFApj6TcLOWUpdN6iTc_l1onDb2iW6vt7TV1T97_goGqIJYi9XJGl36keOwca_GhRBHpVdghLHCd_IEAoJwR_tAJlq9teNRzPE/s320/May-June+2010+043.jpg" /></a> That said, Todd bought a lawn tractor and we have been taking advantage of it and really doing some clearing. We went nuts when these pictures were taken and cut down a pretty good roadway.
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYtzDFqJ9Gn1KGDP9F9_M3jmDA_lXIkDSBY0RbUU9cXNfO7A5VvCzRUFAY2DbcsLmtQ3R52UCo1WUPhDUDeCvlBl_IaBOdMfOwDWkeZSugnBaqqJWbBGzbLHXo9Dx2NwZfWF4Lqk5S8Q/s1600/May-June+2010+042.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486805133705948626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYtzDFqJ9Gn1KGDP9F9_M3jmDA_lXIkDSBY0RbUU9cXNfO7A5VvCzRUFAY2DbcsLmtQ3R52UCo1WUPhDUDeCvlBl_IaBOdMfOwDWkeZSugnBaqqJWbBGzbLHXo9Dx2NwZfWF4Lqk5S8Q/s320/May-June+2010+042.jpg" /></a> We cleared a good area for relaxing.
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomkWNf0cgRNibfgcy6bNQjXQPTwqqvhFsO44sdp2z7l-c4qUK5Mj8RHDI8QW7ecN5oHkNk6YN93PNtMLAZKgwjay_CfAnNCTk-8dV4tLtcD9SA2NDKpj50YEwJNpRvAlNjYIgZuxnTH8/s1600/May-June+2010+042.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486804947211981410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomkWNf0cgRNibfgcy6bNQjXQPTwqqvhFsO44sdp2z7l-c4qUK5Mj8RHDI8QW7ecN5oHkNk6YN93PNtMLAZKgwjay_CfAnNCTk-8dV4tLtcD9SA2NDKpj50YEwJNpRvAlNjYIgZuxnTH8/s320/May-June+2010+042.jpg" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ceVdY5CxwmNApoYitSF9oCGiRMSUqCOrqTsy36O3jyMPym4Ac6SmKZJ1ci8Tr9HJOE3KCAIMPNpfffSKxSlpOegk_Vcbxh_79Qv14l4bZcFD1B0eOn8nf8Gkh9ltcu56SAvkeySB6es/s1600/May-June+2010+040.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486804941719393394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ceVdY5CxwmNApoYitSF9oCGiRMSUqCOrqTsy36O3jyMPym4Ac6SmKZJ1ci8Tr9HJOE3KCAIMPNpfffSKxSlpOegk_Vcbxh_79Qv14l4bZcFD1B0eOn8nf8Gkh9ltcu56SAvkeySB6es/s320/May-June+2010+040.jpg" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemUSfdHYtaFIPNj3MxxmJz8BFs3re3z1hWWqWAyDxYltrnS8Af_5kosGhaW5u_ylQwhdAtxAY25E9HudAstO2qMNFPwzWHt34hXt7xhu3MyS1xmVnVzOkWdPr673_1FPRaHsjKQa-P0w/s1600/May-June+2010+039.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486804934945656770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemUSfdHYtaFIPNj3MxxmJz8BFs3re3z1hWWqWAyDxYltrnS8Af_5kosGhaW5u_ylQwhdAtxAY25E9HudAstO2qMNFPwzWHt34hXt7xhu3MyS1xmVnVzOkWdPr673_1FPRaHsjKQa-P0w/s320/May-June+2010+039.jpg" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihydbh10dcigdlWfr7KWgqf9Al_hoIt9yMBpq90rccUWbSHYzZyLuO0dpauVfouMDLtTqV_8ROSXjERQ-IWg15SQdRz-hUrVSUNdkcOd7Lm2Lw9PbWHjVfk74D5iXT4o_q5zcUwl6KiJ0/s1600/May-June+2010+038.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486804926210651394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihydbh10dcigdlWfr7KWgqf9Al_hoIt9yMBpq90rccUWbSHYzZyLuO0dpauVfouMDLtTqV_8ROSXjERQ-IWg15SQdRz-hUrVSUNdkcOd7Lm2Lw9PbWHjVfk74D5iXT4o_q5zcUwl6KiJ0/s320/May-June+2010+038.jpg" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtbZSq6FsY_5aDf51tYq5L79_IEdrNzE08KFAYj3UIGcYiBInWBFR4IAPFmS185NMCoLevvxxF3RYMEx0qhoaeNRf3DJyV0Ji2dZfBEwFCCy_DqA_BGnlC0MCKMOkqvX41gBsk56Hylk/s1600/May-June+2010+035.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486804420849156274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtbZSq6FsY_5aDf51tYq5L79_IEdrNzE08KFAYj3UIGcYiBInWBFR4IAPFmS185NMCoLevvxxF3RYMEx0qhoaeNRf3DJyV0Ji2dZfBEwFCCy_DqA_BGnlC0MCKMOkqvX41gBsk56Hylk/s320/May-June+2010+035.jpg" /></a>
It's always a lot of fun camping out here. Of course, we're "boon docking" the whole time. All running on generators, propane and water tanks.
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWyveNIwhKqKJrqC5m_f-aJMi_SgZ_Snol-RvA8V-voF6WwjhS8BSJhhtMjUZ4MZyyLaPobfvTd9fJC0iRcFiG28HyMRKQTYZiqWmuaGckIZ-xrht3X54wUZ5qFW4IKaCThQA3GUNyxE/s1600/May-June+2010+034.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486804405331029714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWyveNIwhKqKJrqC5m_f-aJMi_SgZ_Snol-RvA8V-voF6WwjhS8BSJhhtMjUZ4MZyyLaPobfvTd9fJC0iRcFiG28HyMRKQTYZiqWmuaGckIZ-xrht3X54wUZ5qFW4IKaCThQA3GUNyxE/s320/May-June+2010+034.jpg" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczhO_a2htTz7LoT6XSYrMZSvSREbNCYgVPinxzZ8NsAH9nCFXsImiV40zLUjwd6mng27Af5Z7BJPMC6pqIx3shGsub2byCzCZ6bre215dL_J7YZP04BCbSbQzkKzEPCm8D3EEmTirPVE/s1600/May-June+2010+033.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486804387353267698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczhO_a2htTz7LoT6XSYrMZSvSREbNCYgVPinxzZ8NsAH9nCFXsImiV40zLUjwd6mng27Af5Z7BJPMC6pqIx3shGsub2byCzCZ6bre215dL_J7YZP04BCbSbQzkKzEPCm8D3EEmTirPVE/s320/May-June+2010+033.jpg" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMry0mfv1x2vPqH6JL6nMTCb2PvIyYm4j0lsTzuue0ULaEjqzxErzYBxJ895Fs6K2q1P0rSW2KFVOzl08UVeFWHopA6d1gi2TmQAZO-MHZKj2iUvPynM-WThvqzkFPObqiG-svp_10fq0/s1600/May-June+2010+032.jpg"></a>
<div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-68472357879077890042010-06-13T14:17:00.000-07:002010-06-24T10:25:03.665-07:00Trying to stay ahead of the growthAfter a month of being involved in other aspects of life, finally able to get back out to the ranch and resume the work. Little did we know that things were growing as fast as ever. Here I am, getting my boots on. The typical routine is to put on my work boots and then dust myself with sulfur to keep the chiggers away.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAX5Q5DZitYXHgVgnalTOWnZ1d-KdbgNkmmSwvoF6Q7v6Q5tStsihQPSIxFZemtEtcwrx9-fkr9bmN3Co0sxFIiaKwciwSOWxQdewrGNmEk7Gqo8o1NJhdpW4WvPEKzXnMu0DN1Wj40s/s1600/May-June+2010+006.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482371635829338146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAX5Q5DZitYXHgVgnalTOWnZ1d-KdbgNkmmSwvoF6Q7v6Q5tStsihQPSIxFZemtEtcwrx9-fkr9bmN3Co0sxFIiaKwciwSOWxQdewrGNmEk7Gqo8o1NJhdpW4WvPEKzXnMu0DN1Wj40s/s320/May-June+2010+006.jpg" /></a>
Here is Ann getting ready for a day at the Ranch. Since the ground now has 2 feet of fresh growth, she's not about to step away from the truck. So...feet propped up...book in one hand and soda in the other, she's all set.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lKJlxRi22aJqmntHuarits178cJE22b6btUDfocndmR8GnDSEHcEXCJ23vF2CSq4gEXj12XyF5xTbUErAupU_ZKdx3LdjFHDZT-JtpnUgqswt4LVpDZjLrVdMhkZmLjvcVBWJtHIJA0/s1600/May-June+2010+012.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482371653258272434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lKJlxRi22aJqmntHuarits178cJE22b6btUDfocndmR8GnDSEHcEXCJ23vF2CSq4gEXj12XyF5xTbUErAupU_ZKdx3LdjFHDZT-JtpnUgqswt4LVpDZjLrVdMhkZmLjvcVBWJtHIJA0/s320/May-June+2010+012.jpg" /></a>
When I bought the weed whacker at the Tractor Supply, the guy asked me how much I was going to be trying to clear with that thing. As it turns out, not that much. After making about a 20' swipe, I was pretty much wiped out. I'm sure the 98 degree temp had nothing to do with it.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjTFY5Q8IXZvWtBNKgwaaGwEyrBgGaw7VzoMZQWQE6gOf1Js2GfhwgJxnZk4Gs2K5xYpU_LB3yTvgt8RVO18Sc84rhTBTkhYfUAnrn0MaCc0xLEoV8S0mvz3udTREPdgyFVZofVMHnEM/s1600/May-June+2010+008.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482371641761017554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjTFY5Q8IXZvWtBNKgwaaGwEyrBgGaw7VzoMZQWQE6gOf1Js2GfhwgJxnZk4Gs2K5xYpU_LB3yTvgt8RVO18Sc84rhTBTkhYfUAnrn0MaCc0xLEoV8S0mvz3udTREPdgyFVZofVMHnEM/s320/May-June+2010+008.jpg" /></a>
So, time to fire up the old lawn mower and see if I can clear a path back to Todd's cabin site. It's only 1290 feet from the front driveway. Of course, pushing a lawn mower through high weeds and grass isn't as easy as it looks.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKPux5a8XZIDlnj7zhskqYn4wKuo-rKcfsCvcy7uxULahCFrq212brGiq0-yRLOXcVmE-ICynsfVqXXrXDyYQKvuDtgQlXRG6R9Z5quNnxm2w9pJzPSBLb09QGEv8LoeotX4efe3AX0A/s1600/May-June+2010+017.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482371674066098914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKPux5a8XZIDlnj7zhskqYn4wKuo-rKcfsCvcy7uxULahCFrq212brGiq0-yRLOXcVmE-ICynsfVqXXrXDyYQKvuDtgQlXRG6R9Z5quNnxm2w9pJzPSBLb09QGEv8LoeotX4efe3AX0A/s320/May-June+2010+017.jpg" /></a>
Here's a couple of pictures to show the path that I cut.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoAnowR117StT7lCcQ2aNqKAaCFRYJBGfKMj3P-bCLqMb9pJlTECZjMy3ZvHvbt2x4tLDkLSZf-BOcZ614vEIFt9IETPX9KfUQV4psv1LhFX-hRtYTDRIs-LH7P9ShjL2GSnsLPz8kaM/s1600/May-June+2010+028.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482372232264602946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoAnowR117StT7lCcQ2aNqKAaCFRYJBGfKMj3P-bCLqMb9pJlTECZjMy3ZvHvbt2x4tLDkLSZf-BOcZ614vEIFt9IETPX9KfUQV4psv1LhFX-hRtYTDRIs-LH7P9ShjL2GSnsLPz8kaM/s320/May-June+2010+028.jpg" /></a>
My poor shed after the beating it took from the high winds of the storms that came through.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuNiZLG53J_miYwxFUQgpOw5f6Dl0B1YEefgu_Yh2qLzMtCUreaSSgH-Q2SnEmFlY6z_xsiEtNR_rDnQDAdIccvlYOrblcRM4Py2SQXjWbTd-h5Q53qEku_AKmn0P9eBcGdaKykfypII/s1600/May-June+2010+031.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482372226094793634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuNiZLG53J_miYwxFUQgpOw5f6Dl0B1YEefgu_Yh2qLzMtCUreaSSgH-Q2SnEmFlY6z_xsiEtNR_rDnQDAdIccvlYOrblcRM4Py2SQXjWbTd-h5Q53qEku_AKmn0P9eBcGdaKykfypII/s320/May-June+2010+031.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLluYwKfAMnyQF0hW_7dje8pncB51q_8KCa5XyH4zsOnR-v6Whf1C89ZjW3BDasSNtdBl5dgu76LckcQMdBYUPBY5hm4l-mrEy_vXqzGd2rBm7D0q2mPcCzUoW_ZW_EL773uqn7S8Vzs/s1600/May-June+2010+020.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482372205177326482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLluYwKfAMnyQF0hW_7dje8pncB51q_8KCa5XyH4zsOnR-v6Whf1C89ZjW3BDasSNtdBl5dgu76LckcQMdBYUPBY5hm4l-mrEy_vXqzGd2rBm7D0q2mPcCzUoW_ZW_EL773uqn7S8Vzs/s320/May-June+2010+020.jpg" /></a>
Todd and I had to pack all of the flooring back to the site because we don't have a driveable path that goes that far back. However, we got it put in and after a month, it's held up just fine, in spite of the heavy rain that we've had out here. We started bringing lumber in and staging it. Once we have enough to frame up the walls, we'll put it up in a weekend. The real hard work is just hauling it back through the woods.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGN2jcuXDEG_JyVN_f8OWvBNSRMUGmeFT7xT1mQoBz0xuKEozRXT7cxCtB1sRu-4MDnZXDMGgW9qJHDFlEIBfEbi9jrvOlmJVzpSfXLsh9eFE6NRLjyZBUcioaV6AqIkxmz1oWnPgB3Zk/s1600/May-June+2010+023.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482372210332189394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGN2jcuXDEG_JyVN_f8OWvBNSRMUGmeFT7xT1mQoBz0xuKEozRXT7cxCtB1sRu-4MDnZXDMGgW9qJHDFlEIBfEbi9jrvOlmJVzpSfXLsh9eFE6NRLjyZBUcioaV6AqIkxmz1oWnPgB3Zk/s320/May-June+2010+023.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvTPC7267ky-sjfnqfIvzGLGj2Gg6OkzomNxYGAenzA_D3mTTmWs_Klhilm7VewoYyAAJyJjm7Dh9_Q1cVazhRtdBKBvecFffg7Pqc8zr4Fwiz8ixIMOlKFkpNtFUuMbo9JK4FxAEWfQ/s1600/May-June+2010+025.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482372218220100466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvTPC7267ky-sjfnqfIvzGLGj2Gg6OkzomNxYGAenzA_D3mTTmWs_Klhilm7VewoYyAAJyJjm7Dh9_Q1cVazhRtdBKBvecFffg7Pqc8zr4Fwiz8ixIMOlKFkpNtFUuMbo9JK4FxAEWfQ/s320/May-June+2010+025.jpg" /></a>
<div></div><div>A picture I took before I mowed.
</div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-kDxj4rQhkDunhQ099P2qnU8puAxzwKWhztundjHfzgogQbETHC5SK5IDq-7Q00RBbtU2bjsaCk4IaxDcBU7tOjGf7xqfHZty95whoXif8Otkus6MGCZl02LMGf_aZGAUo6bSMIoJhQ/s1600/May-June+2010+003.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482371631899639986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-kDxj4rQhkDunhQ099P2qnU8puAxzwKWhztundjHfzgogQbETHC5SK5IDq-7Q00RBbtU2bjsaCk4IaxDcBU7tOjGf7xqfHZty95whoXif8Otkus6MGCZl02LMGf_aZGAUo6bSMIoJhQ/s320/May-June+2010+003.jpg" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyG_6rTjX6jMmcIgUqOigZA__Ld23ROQuSyfipi_pQ-rQ7n_wQXDg5nTHnUPa9ZVJT167DrMT0DQf5E2k77n3ytYH-oOW4lun2QnTI7pM3mBgm1Jh36RK4AyeTN7EIf8gjLQVIY7A3Sc/s1600/May-June+2010+002.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482371107085450450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyG_6rTjX6jMmcIgUqOigZA__Ld23ROQuSyfipi_pQ-rQ7n_wQXDg5nTHnUPa9ZVJT167DrMT0DQf5E2k77n3ytYH-oOW4lun2QnTI7pM3mBgm1Jh36RK4AyeTN7EIf8gjLQVIY7A3Sc/s320/May-June+2010+002.jpg" /></a>
<div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-70585255309080446922010-04-19T11:08:00.000-07:002010-04-19T12:28:36.496-07:00The beginning of a new foundationWe burned alot of brush between January and March but still have piles of it to go. The rain finally cleared up enough for us to go out on a weekend and get some work done. My oldest son decided that he wanted to get started on a cabin so we went out and finished clearing up the spot. I brought a lawn mower to cut a path through the thick ground cover. There was no way, I was going to walk through waist deep weeds to get back to the cabin site. Along the way, I saw some beautiful bluebonnets. Lots of six and seven feet tall milk weeds, nettle and dandilions. Here are some pics of the greenery and a few of the building site. We drilled 8inch holes, inserted tubes and poured concrete into them along with "J" bolts to fasten the beams to. It was lots of work.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk1w3QksdnFWwSMgS-zmtdfyjdAa9SnIq0DLBDXUV6NLMKjhL_u02F1-VuPkt7ch0V1hjmtbIGkyB7RT8zubdS11pRJuuY3C-55qZGUgGVudgAFWGWWdZ5mSq0RzN86k-nVg4E8VbOmA/s1600/April+2010+026.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461929117637902226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk1w3QksdnFWwSMgS-zmtdfyjdAa9SnIq0DLBDXUV6NLMKjhL_u02F1-VuPkt7ch0V1hjmtbIGkyB7RT8zubdS11pRJuuY3C-55qZGUgGVudgAFWGWWdZ5mSq0RzN86k-nVg4E8VbOmA/s320/April+2010+026.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfnOZCKleXalwdUKI8t7wOLpcS0qEGuocQtgLOSCwUI6yLjvCK5vabt3AHTOnr1IEabv76130kbKAAJg7Hq_aXFGDBp1rbVdDXyJ3pRmkZ9LllwXSx02Ee5hdPUmXymPZdPuBqbZkhIM/s1600/April+2010+001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461929098582918962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfnOZCKleXalwdUKI8t7wOLpcS0qEGuocQtgLOSCwUI6yLjvCK5vabt3AHTOnr1IEabv76130kbKAAJg7Hq_aXFGDBp1rbVdDXyJ3pRmkZ9LllwXSx02Ee5hdPUmXymPZdPuBqbZkhIM/s320/April+2010+001.jpg" /></a>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1uhJrILOW5V0fqbXT-D5IoNhHV2ZyzuDXijyWxsh8Mra1SxjvFPXy57FYymR9TE7cCVoqdbfChe00yPQL2XTss-FMBL4F6sfmxVbJO8m170gn-nctuf_h4NZfF_hXxatZN6js4KlB1I/s1600/April+2010+032.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461929129315816594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1uhJrILOW5V0fqbXT-D5IoNhHV2ZyzuDXijyWxsh8Mra1SxjvFPXy57FYymR9TE7cCVoqdbfChe00yPQL2XTss-FMBL4F6sfmxVbJO8m170gn-nctuf_h4NZfF_hXxatZN6js4KlB1I/s320/April+2010+032.jpg" /></a> Here are some pictures that show the cleared area. Round up does wonders. It kills everything.
</div><div>The work involved measuring the corners, putting in stake markers. Squaring up the corners using the 3-4-5 rule. Drilling the holes, inserting the tubes, running a stringline with a level. Only about a 7" drop over 14' .</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrOAmZq_WwcUijDo3zQQYUjhCYcMNH8EY61fpW0lm6Ecc2ItLwUOn_fRN7hS4OPPQlcRDjSUilQS0PBXThjRIbdXpZga5MHjkuRlDJnBEJntB10_4V_Lc9pFD-z6HGao2HzMgPCbCzRY/s1600/April+2010+033.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461929138671725554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrOAmZq_WwcUijDo3zQQYUjhCYcMNH8EY61fpW0lm6Ecc2ItLwUOn_fRN7hS4OPPQlcRDjSUilQS0PBXThjRIbdXpZga5MHjkuRlDJnBEJntB10_4V_Lc9pFD-z6HGao2HzMgPCbCzRY/s320/April+2010+033.jpg" /></a> </div><div>The picture of the tube shown is the lowest end, shown with the "J" bolt in the concrete. The beam bracket will fasten to this.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SweHxW0YCt6I9LL72Nh0U41zwjmSyZ8gEivAvvOAYA7dasFkOJO-uf_iL3o2Ahh3KmBKzCzFutMnPdHwSE3FCKbUxmzOq4rK9BZkB3MehJHhJZawc-zJhU0U3WB76UOOw4sGQ1HSM3g/s1600/April+2010+053+(3).jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461929809028053298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SweHxW0YCt6I9LL72Nh0U41zwjmSyZ8gEivAvvOAYA7dasFkOJO-uf_iL3o2Ahh3KmBKzCzFutMnPdHwSE3FCKbUxmzOq4rK9BZkB3MehJHhJZawc-zJhU0U3WB76UOOw4sGQ1HSM3g/s320/April+2010+053+(3).jpg" /></a>
</div><div></div></div></div></div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-79629515545021796242010-02-21T06:37:00.000-08:002010-02-21T07:11:21.809-08:00The Irony of it allIt strikes me so ironic that the last couple of months of summer last year were so dry and hot that every county in Texas had a burn ban in effect. We were in the process of clearing trees for our driveway and couldn't burn any of it and the volume was quite large...we just started dragging everything to the side and piling it up.
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<div>There was more to work on than just the road too. There was a fence to build, gates to install, the fenceline to clear of all the saplings that were destined to grow into the perimeter fence and ruin it.
</div><div>The month of May was mostly dry but when it rained it poured and it was impossible to get anything done. </div><div></div>
<div>In June, Eric got a staph infection and was in the hospital and Ann had a kidney removed. So, June was out of the equation. We did some work in July but when August hit and the 100 degree temps were everyday. We had more than 69 triple digit temps in 2009.
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<div>But...once it hit triple digits and stayed there...it was almost impossible to get much work done.</div>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqH5rancwqeSTYMUtJhqDhWem8bUDiEkoZYzFzj_aAuD-Cyg3HQbXSsfPt3mn2Fab9f7uFvVDW7DKw0IeNR5BQqCmTLwMIgML2QEiHjC7Mi7n_36LxTqOLkOmEu_IIJL0nh5hHOiY_7bI/s1600-h/Sam+in+front-Josh+and+Zoe+in+back-A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+009.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440710143900345298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqH5rancwqeSTYMUtJhqDhWem8bUDiEkoZYzFzj_aAuD-Cyg3HQbXSsfPt3mn2Fab9f7uFvVDW7DKw0IeNR5BQqCmTLwMIgML2QEiHjC7Mi7n_36LxTqOLkOmEu_IIJL0nh5hHOiY_7bI/s320/Sam+in+front-Josh+and+Zoe+in+back-A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+009.jpg" /></a>When it's so hot that water is dripping off of you in the shade, trust me, you don't have much energy to be clearing out trees.
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<div>Everyone was tired of the heat. Everyone was wishing for some rain to end the drought.</div>
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<div></div><div></div><div>Well, we got our wish. When it started raining, it kept raining. It rains most days now. Fall was cold and wet, winter was colder and wetter. This winter has been colder globally than it has been in 30 years. I've had to wear a coat everyday since the week before thankgiving. The mud is so deep at the ranch that every step is a squishy one. There are streams running across our driveway path. At least I know where to lay culverts now. I also know a couple of good spots for stock tanks.</div><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStFloIE8sDZoD-NzNbu3Wp6Wyx11tS8tfFVu0mdvnwkk-yBBVpZddYs9ctBTzw4rOPaJ5odPX2i8o-HSwMOZFvU9GfdUMgFfMKDf8N9twuUfM8_ieqLPwHgKMbABsFga5rrp-wzRlBTk/s1600-h/Mid+Oct.+%2709+00017.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440712633318110706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStFloIE8sDZoD-NzNbu3Wp6Wyx11tS8tfFVu0mdvnwkk-yBBVpZddYs9ctBTzw4rOPaJ5odPX2i8o-HSwMOZFvU9GfdUMgFfMKDf8N9twuUfM8_ieqLPwHgKMbABsFga5rrp-wzRlBTk/s320/Mid+Oct.+%2709+00017.jpg" /></a></div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I would love nothing more than go out and finish burning the brush. But, it keeps raining. I guess I'm just used to the old fashioned Texas Winters where it's cold for a day or two and then it's sunny again. Well, not this year. I'm just going to have to wait until Spring comes. Maybe since we have had a cold winter, we won't have such a dry hot summer. We can always hope, right?</div></div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-24638790186310016312010-01-23T17:07:00.001-08:002010-01-23T17:22:13.902-08:00The Burning<strong>So...we finally have a couple of nice days in the middle of Winter. Time to start burning all of the brush that we've accumulated.</strong>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VKITSf2fUpLIDLptQtDTKdcn4d5e8oYtzczrPop278ZILM6h6Qn6KzCcLGS3XVhxvjcBaQ7DAOS2wtGwXkd-wJvIfhv6URoqwEXOQJVrlooUYuJ0oCCUj72HLM-DRerAIjixad0-dBM/s1600-h/January+2010+Burning+Ann+003.jpg"><strong><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430107313785308498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VKITSf2fUpLIDLptQtDTKdcn4d5e8oYtzczrPop278ZILM6h6Qn6KzCcLGS3XVhxvjcBaQ7DAOS2wtGwXkd-wJvIfhv6URoqwEXOQJVrlooUYuJ0oCCUj72HLM-DRerAIjixad0-dBM/s320/January+2010+Burning+Ann+003.jpg" /></strong></a><strong> </strong>Here is a picture of Ann feeding the fire. After almost burning down the woods, we decided it would be safer to use the "burn" barrels for what I bought them for. In about two hours we had reduced a pretty good pile of brush to ash.
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<strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgDkWtYUWtROJLbidAH5Pp1CclPIaT7Oxxb3A_rVZqovgvFbmnfq1_OnMZd4ZQqI4mYwA8aXxNG9LVjnB8KE3k-LkMcKfv5nPK4oL-BTWt5Yku0XjSIYJCqr8ruq40CjZPIXWEaW8BJo/s1600-h/January+2010+Burning+Kevin+007.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430107318030075538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgDkWtYUWtROJLbidAH5Pp1CclPIaT7Oxxb3A_rVZqovgvFbmnfq1_OnMZd4ZQqI4mYwA8aXxNG9LVjnB8KE3k-LkMcKfv5nPK4oL-BTWt5Yku0XjSIYJCqr8ruq40CjZPIXWEaW8BJo/s320/January+2010+Burning+Kevin+007.jpg" /></a>That's me, feeding the flames. </strong>
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Once we had the first brush pile going and under control, we didn't want to add more to it because it was starting to get late and we needed to let it die down before we left. We decided to go for a stroll. Below, I'm pacing off a potential building site.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXW367O9wVXXd5i0Na1yzbq_n55uQbWFb7RcXM-xANeu2unKTKs1EGiUijPvox0jgs6ZB72oSoZVH76Rtc576Z-GOAv5Nww5jh8Pnc7GsajY5Tkc7uOEAObm6JN0S9ykVQOR1ZOIWXCNU/s1600-h/January+2010+Burning+018.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430107637065187570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXW367O9wVXXd5i0Na1yzbq_n55uQbWFb7RcXM-xANeu2unKTKs1EGiUijPvox0jgs6ZB72oSoZVH76Rtc576Z-GOAv5Nww5jh8Pnc7GsajY5Tkc7uOEAObm6JN0S9ykVQOR1ZOIWXCNU/s320/January+2010+Burning+018.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSL44GsVCmMahrcZJAejyqbYMQnfNJT4vHR_OYlPJyeIay1E6JUE6QUUPdHvYrw38sFGXdUed1Y8ZmKSYkwPuJUHlc7Sy0AhnPYRy6tqkRbuWTf7xgwUtHESJ06gecovjrXSIXGpaLOu4/s1600-h/January+2010+Burning+Pacing+017.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430107334469522130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSL44GsVCmMahrcZJAejyqbYMQnfNJT4vHR_OYlPJyeIay1E6JUE6QUUPdHvYrw38sFGXdUed1Y8ZmKSYkwPuJUHlc7Sy0AhnPYRy6tqkRbuWTf7xgwUtHESJ06gecovjrXSIXGpaLOu4/s320/January+2010+Burning+Pacing+017.jpg" /></a>
<div>While we waited for the fire to die down, we took apart the blown down cabana and stacked the pieces. Here you can see what was left. I'm hopeful that we'll be able to rebuild it.
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SBUvsAZYVDWB2gGJLCSaE3v7jiTK7NvnGlCa6HNFuwFEaoSO79mMWlFDR-nVrOiHjgE73p6WgXGB4y2Eckgr9Yyf6yjwEqca7maOBYCmJoXPJGKAkvOw6aHAFh4qfdySvoxyb9IRZDQ/s1600-h/January+2010+Burning+shed+015.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430107330144806722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SBUvsAZYVDWB2gGJLCSaE3v7jiTK7NvnGlCa6HNFuwFEaoSO79mMWlFDR-nVrOiHjgE73p6WgXGB4y2Eckgr9Yyf6yjwEqca7maOBYCmJoXPJGKAkvOw6aHAFh4qfdySvoxyb9IRZDQ/s320/January+2010+Burning+shed+015.jpg" /></a>
Fire! Fire! We had some serious heat going on.
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhaWe9qb8aDUO6AWbiAwp9SDudRI8Dq1dqKgaeiTHIaMw0MfB6Hy7O4gk0nqPvPGcylps4emXGRXarUyZdABDDL4ZLHsxZDSs7ZHqpcGaMztcAI6AYZBULh7Q7bTauszG4lDVHgoqce4/s1600-h/January+2010+Burning+Fire+010.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430107322211800194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhaWe9qb8aDUO6AWbiAwp9SDudRI8Dq1dqKgaeiTHIaMw0MfB6Hy7O4gk0nqPvPGcylps4emXGRXarUyZdABDDL4ZLHsxZDSs7ZHqpcGaMztcAI6AYZBULh7Q7bTauszG4lDVHgoqce4/s320/January+2010+Burning+Fire+010.jpg" /></a>
<div><div>After a full afternoon of burning brush in a barrel, we drove off into this sunset. It was a good day!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6c6ob0Mdh4_PDIFKor9u0hwra6ZLv5Th7Gsk5DQWPef_EGawHQAtrywKW50NR_DUUnIILQ3qIXATTdIOGLzFdvweQqJV8yDP2pk5eAKqnE-U7aorlN3nG9-h065DP-AaFPdAPywoquI/s1600-h/January+2010+Burning+sunset+021.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430107641814516370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6c6ob0Mdh4_PDIFKor9u0hwra6ZLv5Th7Gsk5DQWPef_EGawHQAtrywKW50NR_DUUnIILQ3qIXATTdIOGLzFdvweQqJV8yDP2pk5eAKqnE-U7aorlN3nG9-h065DP-AaFPdAPywoquI/s320/January+2010+Burning+sunset+021.jpg" /></a>
<div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-78019430025592093492009-12-25T07:51:00.000-08:002009-12-25T08:08:09.360-08:00Merry Christmas from Circle-H<div>Well another year almost gone. Where does the time go? Torie came down for a week and I really enjoyed having her home. She had to leave before Christmas but we had a small celebration with her here.</div><div>
I drove her out to the Vamtek Circle H Ranch and she picked out a homesite for herself. I think it's in a good spot and not too far from ours.</div><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9qxhvdrpar7Q0mwyFooFMaxsbPyvWpjYZMWC-PSF070vNtJl8gGoLonSWE35DNvoObql979USLwrTB-n54WRe24M2yXXcsvQ270LND1gmBRCsm8yrjG3NWzNzmXIUZLewDnLVyNcifc/s1600-h/December+2009+001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419205982665750226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9qxhvdrpar7Q0mwyFooFMaxsbPyvWpjYZMWC-PSF070vNtJl8gGoLonSWE35DNvoObql979USLwrTB-n54WRe24M2yXXcsvQ270LND1gmBRCsm8yrjG3NWzNzmXIUZLewDnLVyNcifc/s200/December+2009+001.jpg" /></a>I took a picture of the Cabana all blown over and crumpled. When the weather clears up AND when I have the time...I'll try to drag Eric out there and rebuild the thing. Hopefully, a little more stable against the wind that picks up around here. </div>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8_PlO3lhqIfpx-Fge86h2e7UudDop-fxsGgyb9LxZNNIPq4ZYEyevwEbBWBXvdD3HxlCBghB9oUb4Rbp5tZ5bzTO-t0vgGp4qkVjZpMDylw4cH1kYzsvfL1nQ12cgQ7SjKpVFbVAZBI/s1600-h/December+2009+001.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8_PlO3lhqIfpx-Fge86h2e7UudDop-fxsGgyb9LxZNNIPq4ZYEyevwEbBWBXvdD3HxlCBghB9oUb4Rbp5tZ5bzTO-t0vgGp4qkVjZpMDylw4cH1kYzsvfL1nQ12cgQ7SjKpVFbVAZBI/s1600-h/December+2009+001.jpg"></a></div>
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</div><div> </div><div>I really do need to build some windmills when we have a permanent structure out here. I might as well take advantage of the wind.</div>
<div>Here are the pictures that I took, not too many but it was fun to see Torie out here. I hope it gave her a chance to see a dream to live here. I would love for us all to be out here together at some point in time.</div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltJbhPmJsTGjwe4xo-_hi_kLI7A5Jp5mlrR52-9F3fL-j-c4bT4xF35bsS4A9gf2_YdqUXuHvskqTMyZmdM4R5chAmJpVj3Xr-ciqX3elbDvxtQp5dEHhjcriCQdP3cJP2VvJzOV5aiI/s1600-h/December+2009+007.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419204421955704274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltJbhPmJsTGjwe4xo-_hi_kLI7A5Jp5mlrR52-9F3fL-j-c4bT4xF35bsS4A9gf2_YdqUXuHvskqTMyZmdM4R5chAmJpVj3Xr-ciqX3elbDvxtQp5dEHhjcriCQdP3cJP2VvJzOV5aiI/s200/December+2009+007.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hkIqB3OUURy1gpQBS2TGodWn3CCBzLFAmSAJZWy7VKRNAFLKDadLNLiYKLBFIDMA2A8WcNzC2MWDgwWuumhV-39JDCDSTLIHJVkAB6ph1lMH0rvR7TlcILAaTInwg8z_36-3LxQtwdU/s1600-h/December+2009+006.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419204421514719266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hkIqB3OUURy1gpQBS2TGodWn3CCBzLFAmSAJZWy7VKRNAFLKDadLNLiYKLBFIDMA2A8WcNzC2MWDgwWuumhV-39JDCDSTLIHJVkAB6ph1lMH0rvR7TlcILAaTInwg8z_36-3LxQtwdU/s200/December+2009+006.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSw7-lxpdhoOXczQ3dUuyK3oLqrxBsIbclKbvb7Z0h2eDYao1RcmGyAmP7CDkoo5_ZP1TadXfMxngCFl7JWoYLkXSdbygIZ5oumrrmWW2Db_oMK8OlKMH5b6uwbbeTiqSJrtk42FvSEY/s1600-h/December+2009+005.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419204417407758242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSw7-lxpdhoOXczQ3dUuyK3oLqrxBsIbclKbvb7Z0h2eDYao1RcmGyAmP7CDkoo5_ZP1TadXfMxngCFl7JWoYLkXSdbygIZ5oumrrmWW2Db_oMK8OlKMH5b6uwbbeTiqSJrtk42FvSEY/s200/December+2009+005.jpg" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2K5ZaK0eyJ1mETHkWUpNxYp8Sma1vQfZX6Z1kJkvcQRPUYFUGsM02mTEIMAywHhP19Bj_GzylaqqUjS2RH42VNIDmJPkt2REGmivrGI2vpUQlTToXg_Gc8GrOGHaezbsh1StepzBdxVg/s1600-h/December+2009+004.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419204413782073682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2K5ZaK0eyJ1mETHkWUpNxYp8Sma1vQfZX6Z1kJkvcQRPUYFUGsM02mTEIMAywHhP19Bj_GzylaqqUjS2RH42VNIDmJPkt2REGmivrGI2vpUQlTToXg_Gc8GrOGHaezbsh1StepzBdxVg/s200/December+2009+004.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qzHXJtEcRRyg9ztjKhqFQuwj0_Al6BIWjb2ve5puAOuTLuW1cLygz8_zIhyphenhyphen5GPj0vq9DLlfVfLykOtf-eu7aDsnmvR6YJJRQR24Av9MCZpm5oFU31O-OFULbde5wc9f78JnbP5HJTAQ/s1600-h/December+2009+005.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419204148088881314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qzHXJtEcRRyg9ztjKhqFQuwj0_Al6BIWjb2ve5puAOuTLuW1cLygz8_zIhyphenhyphen5GPj0vq9DLlfVfLykOtf-eu7aDsnmvR6YJJRQR24Av9MCZpm5oFU31O-OFULbde5wc9f78JnbP5HJTAQ/s200/December+2009+005.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRl6G_YNVerPl_fThKcup6MvNN3X4BoixB0VaSA0ABZy-qr8THvz82BZycyZmhhoRxaErhT1kCwly2IQ3EIGHj_eX2-DvtYc2NnBdZq-py0wSSEj24Fh5kCk6A8x6WgB-lDKUfojegX64/s1600-h/December+2009+003.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419204140429195778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRl6G_YNVerPl_fThKcup6MvNN3X4BoixB0VaSA0ABZy-qr8THvz82BZycyZmhhoRxaErhT1kCwly2IQ3EIGHj_eX2-DvtYc2NnBdZq-py0wSSEj24Fh5kCk6A8x6WgB-lDKUfojegX64/s200/December+2009+003.jpg" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnERYR3KqyoX9k5EZT-_dW28u-ssQP6JUknz1I25OVR4jnOmaXRsSWYfvreBi2VZqvZZ_s2MoohrNPEjp8IZ5BudFvj9_mNu7U74FL2IXrwEqFPU_NcOFvDknsLdEemUeIlmUWYPlcwU/s1600-h/December+2009+002.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419204140333562498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnERYR3KqyoX9k5EZT-_dW28u-ssQP6JUknz1I25OVR4jnOmaXRsSWYfvreBi2VZqvZZ_s2MoohrNPEjp8IZ5BudFvj9_mNu7U74FL2IXrwEqFPU_NcOFvDknsLdEemUeIlmUWYPlcwU/s200/December+2009+002.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8_PlO3lhqIfpx-Fge86h2e7UudDop-fxsGgyb9LxZNNIPq4ZYEyevwEbBWBXvdD3HxlCBghB9oUb4Rbp5tZ5bzTO-t0vgGp4qkVjZpMDylw4cH1kYzsvfL1nQ12cgQ7SjKpVFbVAZBI/s1600-h/December+2009+001.jpg"></a>
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<div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-3141087681935380952009-11-01T06:12:00.000-08:002009-11-01T06:34:49.142-08:00October-rainy season-mostly uneventfulWe didn't do much during the month of October. It's been wetter than usual so the prospect of doing anything serious has been hampered. We discovered a few very important things though that will help in the future when we extend the road out to the back. During wet seasons, we have a few creeks that flow across the place...and a bonus...the place that we thought must have been a stock tank 20 years ago...filled up with water and appears to be holding it quite well. Another project...dredge it out and make it useful again.
There is a spot that looks like it was struck by lightening and all of the trees are dried to a crisp. I gathered up a bag of Texas Elm seeds and went out this weekend to spread them. Hopefully, they'll take.
Here are some pictures taken the last couple of trips out there.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0r-ZrMoKDlrirSC7lAe_aIQYaMu2ddjNaCy7bewDOlpvHkWbGbzbkEMjIPMDRUewc2Fc6sRBPWzmipjL4fRqKcQr4mG0vyws9VaDDmcRTwDCg0bHBzzB-sfgDpFpKDtntPbA-WlRgzI/s1600-h/Oct+31,2009+00005.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399141682037314066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0r-ZrMoKDlrirSC7lAe_aIQYaMu2ddjNaCy7bewDOlpvHkWbGbzbkEMjIPMDRUewc2Fc6sRBPWzmipjL4fRqKcQr4mG0vyws9VaDDmcRTwDCg0bHBzzB-sfgDpFpKDtntPbA-WlRgzI/s200/Oct+31,2009+00005.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWe2veoPmll4jba0w2jRWZgjcKUXbb0MX6rcc4N_D7DgpZxBA6R8vi2tUkGeUurerIe-GyKWR71l6QrS8e1OG9po06R74kREBW4CA3U6IXYfiXvcyT7stDIPSNtMv_eodR4dj11P9_NQ/s1600-h/Oct+31,2009+00002.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399141681119961554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWe2veoPmll4jba0w2jRWZgjcKUXbb0MX6rcc4N_D7DgpZxBA6R8vi2tUkGeUurerIe-GyKWR71l6QrS8e1OG9po06R74kREBW4CA3U6IXYfiXvcyT7stDIPSNtMv_eodR4dj11P9_NQ/s200/Oct+31,2009+00002.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRzodSI1ii-yDeKOz8eehcpL8GJd2JmRQgDFI2Iur8TEwVQ0eYfszGna51btd0-aVfhdwkiLdXVGrd4Xpq3DeHJoYxlGeuVv_A5o8d7gShkE9UQnB-aIuH85GkL3VxnXRtKUnYO5wgQs/s1600-h/Mid+Oct.+%2709+00020.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399141681189768386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRzodSI1ii-yDeKOz8eehcpL8GJd2JmRQgDFI2Iur8TEwVQ0eYfszGna51btd0-aVfhdwkiLdXVGrd4Xpq3DeHJoYxlGeuVv_A5o8d7gShkE9UQnB-aIuH85GkL3VxnXRtKUnYO5wgQs/s200/Mid+Oct.+%2709+00020.jpg" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShu8wt7UsZTNvEgzL4wA3otjKBOhiOt0HapTKfQYZ4Ku4sypkYgqkJNKudZmhMqM5QvvEPQGv0Hq433mjjO84qDJI_iKJnkDt2sGIxNx-E6e1FuzVjJkMY2RTu3oCbZhnChdTiUR2Lbs/s1600-h/Mid+Oct.+%2709+00019.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399141674190397458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShu8wt7UsZTNvEgzL4wA3otjKBOhiOt0HapTKfQYZ4Ku4sypkYgqkJNKudZmhMqM5QvvEPQGv0Hq433mjjO84qDJI_iKJnkDt2sGIxNx-E6e1FuzVjJkMY2RTu3oCbZhnChdTiUR2Lbs/s200/Mid+Oct.+%2709+00019.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzVbUlXCqXRZjIYpUIUWomjaBDY0AwizP2zkmAgzyiraOP6pAu0A5spRYo7nwNq7mkyusgNOfzLYNAiwt5r-4KcZQRlCs4UwNVu_jtwDgp6_sOaYMa_9dnlhKlSUvY4gO5jgBFjhtCoc/s1600-h/Oct+31,2009+00001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399141166315685650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzVbUlXCqXRZjIYpUIUWomjaBDY0AwizP2zkmAgzyiraOP6pAu0A5spRYo7nwNq7mkyusgNOfzLYNAiwt5r-4KcZQRlCs4UwNVu_jtwDgp6_sOaYMa_9dnlhKlSUvY4gO5jgBFjhtCoc/s200/Oct+31,2009+00001.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_E017Au2r0C4_y_XuHwJo4XfOrvTquS5ZUvr1xV1HC0RGB3QNpECEfe1xQo4qSXJv2D4ZsJSLPWEFucf8OSaxc1SkIvF-oJ4tE1XhSEyjH_ed0nahmDmrq2SRaPSrdYjr8U7cgpPpYQ/s1600-h/Mid+Oct.+%2709+00017.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399141161052216802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_E017Au2r0C4_y_XuHwJo4XfOrvTquS5ZUvr1xV1HC0RGB3QNpECEfe1xQo4qSXJv2D4ZsJSLPWEFucf8OSaxc1SkIvF-oJ4tE1XhSEyjH_ed0nahmDmrq2SRaPSrdYjr8U7cgpPpYQ/s200/Mid+Oct.+%2709+00017.jpg" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOplRsprR8mNVIVKdMDVas-7BXuipwt0oSzHbpdRVHjeZTOFEem_IjIgYpPFXmT6N1950emCihSsdZHWqpTeA1-6YR9Pj4E9-yMVjbPPtIQe4EvfTLnBbKzBIhYxIvCWrOLSRQvZhRgpY/s1600-h/Mid+Oct.+%2709+00016.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399141156336240194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOplRsprR8mNVIVKdMDVas-7BXuipwt0oSzHbpdRVHjeZTOFEem_IjIgYpPFXmT6N1950emCihSsdZHWqpTeA1-6YR9Pj4E9-yMVjbPPtIQe4EvfTLnBbKzBIhYxIvCWrOLSRQvZhRgpY/s200/Mid+Oct.+%2709+00016.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuHrnmEZwhyphenhyphenWu0w3CXqX2YdWzHq0IrmZdixGXHyisjABsf2xR98-rWV__7Uz37iB0Zuq2Vpt3bZ-pJFdFeF73YVBBfn0U3b6ZSi_6juJ-ZB4WiInxQKInXz4fcrraIXBLBH5OnmdiYHQ/s1600-h/Mid+Oct.+%2709+00014.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399141155058766418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuHrnmEZwhyphenhyphenWu0w3CXqX2YdWzHq0IrmZdixGXHyisjABsf2xR98-rWV__7Uz37iB0Zuq2Vpt3bZ-pJFdFeF73YVBBfn0U3b6ZSi_6juJ-ZB4WiInxQKInXz4fcrraIXBLBH5OnmdiYHQ/s200/Mid+Oct.+%2709+00014.jpg" /></a>
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<div><div><div></div><div></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-18251548251403885082009-09-12T15:27:00.000-07:002009-09-12T17:25:34.539-07:00Labor Day weekend - another work / fun party<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7_06fkULzmXrhEy4p9ylJ7VOkPkJRR1OtQxmEGcxRKGnGEqou2jKNGFoaulAbpeFhEo1IEa0KflfuiIKRpqi8hsWPGCad2VT3Hy4e-ag-KAy6WfdZRF9RxabHdrV5Ko-Rcq0hyphenhyphenXy7yQ/s1600-h/LaborDay+at+Circle-H+002.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380716455572611234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7_06fkULzmXrhEy4p9ylJ7VOkPkJRR1OtQxmEGcxRKGnGEqou2jKNGFoaulAbpeFhEo1IEa0KflfuiIKRpqi8hsWPGCad2VT3Hy4e-ag-KAy6WfdZRF9RxabHdrV5Ko-Rcq0hyphenhyphenXy7yQ/s200/LaborDay+at+Circle-H+002.jpg" /></a>I managed to take some extra days off over the Labor Day weekend and decided this would be a good time to go out and clear some more of the driveway. After all, we only have 1200 feet to clear. :)
Todd and his family went out along with me and Ann. They stayed in a tent...we stayed in the RV.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrb_zAKTbbbpLlneFU0VBv4vcr7rOMNk73AmjC29KD2lzjqocXQzmt9_uq6ebRzh3FBXk-s_OIHDePLaNiufTJ8ptdFn0zDE-a2Er-YOUf-_9fKS3VqcKeEtuD9SxDlnutrm_pOWOzmw/s1600-h/LaborDay+at+Circle-H+004.jpg"></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-Ujp5NDCNcGNrmcSNeA0uYLFKQGP_f1jIEal3IqATG5rfIoVNV_l6cnqszxVXDv2jOKF2wgvSFdLRK03einN5T1R4WqhKk1JnflgLQZxjhFhDnDVJ3yN4TejZelWx6esziwyqhzlfVM/s1600-h/LaborDay+at+Circle-H+001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380715942758848418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-Ujp5NDCNcGNrmcSNeA0uYLFKQGP_f1jIEal3IqATG5rfIoVNV_l6cnqszxVXDv2jOKF2wgvSFdLRK03einN5T1R4WqhKk1JnflgLQZxjhFhDnDVJ3yN4TejZelWx6esziwyqhzlfVM/s200/LaborDay+at+Circle-H+001.jpg" /></a>
It's a little cooler now that we are getting a little rain so the AC in the RV got things nice and chilly inside. We actually turned off the generator, switched the fridge over to propane and opened up the windows.
I slept pretty well once "Shadow", our black lab, settled down. He was on alert the whole time. If we were outside, his nose was to the ground 'popping'. I had to keep him on a leash because he would get a scent and take off.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAORliLkIOAj_re39qgVl873lQQk8wHbX1DF-MvNMzpDX5SI8zyGVP4-nolGqWupwccouDF40m_AieQsC7R2MYtyJ9-4rQDn_euV3VN4mSGMb266DZvnnFEXXIbHcr3Eju6bTRK6djkpc/s1600-h/Labor+Day+09+00108.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380715961284022002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAORliLkIOAj_re39qgVl873lQQk8wHbX1DF-MvNMzpDX5SI8zyGVP4-nolGqWupwccouDF40m_AieQsC7R2MYtyJ9-4rQDn_euV3VN4mSGMb266DZvnnFEXXIbHcr3Eju6bTRK6djkpc/s200/Labor+Day+09+00108.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrb_zAKTbbbpLlneFU0VBv4vcr7rOMNk73AmjC29KD2lzjqocXQzmt9_uq6ebRzh3FBXk-s_OIHDePLaNiufTJ8ptdFn0zDE-a2Er-YOUf-_9fKS3VqcKeEtuD9SxDlnutrm_pOWOzmw/s1600-h/LaborDay+at+Circle-H+004.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380716459379374434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrb_zAKTbbbpLlneFU0VBv4vcr7rOMNk73AmjC29KD2lzjqocXQzmt9_uq6ebRzh3FBXk-s_OIHDePLaNiufTJ8ptdFn0zDE-a2Er-YOUf-_9fKS3VqcKeEtuD9SxDlnutrm_pOWOzmw/s200/LaborDay+at+Circle-H+004.jpg" /></a>
We cleared out a lot of dead trees and only a few living mesquite trees that were small or almost dead. It's been so dry that many of the trees might actually be pulling everything down to their roots because there just isn't any ground water.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hvFt0-4dvkqKM29vwl6bAJWV_1_QzPbZhgqebiPm8L0-wD7tjhfSW9g9B9x-04Uy9ggFC0Rl9KpwwIJyu0N17o-Gy1liYFMwtqUofic4xzy9iB7HVIBQxdng3SejMWriatGb29PT7ZM/s1600-h/Labor+Day+09+00103.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380715951378862642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hvFt0-4dvkqKM29vwl6bAJWV_1_QzPbZhgqebiPm8L0-wD7tjhfSW9g9B9x-04Uy9ggFC0Rl9KpwwIJyu0N17o-Gy1liYFMwtqUofic4xzy9iB7HVIBQxdng3SejMWriatGb29PT7ZM/s200/Labor+Day+09+00103.jpg" /></a> Things were so nice in the RV and the kids and women all went inside and put on a DVD for the kids to watch.
It was a good time. We cooked hot dogs over the fire, cooked pork roast in a dutch oven and one evening, we roasted marshmallows and made s'mores. Zoe didn't want one, she just wanted a marshmallow. We all looked at her a little funny. I think she had never had one. Once she tried it, she ate it up. For just camping out a couple of days, we had enough food for several more.
I'm continually surprised how well the fridge in the RV works. The freezer...freezes and the fridge keeps things cold...even on propane! I love it. I guess that proves I'm simply getting old.
Todd and I got a lot of work done. We cleared about 300 more feet of trees. Now we need to work on getting the cactus out and bring in more road base. It's hard work, but really therapeutic.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7gQqD-NytDP6N85fI5bifsrvOckXERzy0ZQzc7tkYU_AbvIO4gbWVpRMQpccLSto_OK1qcRCi03EBMBMnchMmjxY5CXSwPg9ZpUUvkTaAqQjCYkkamLKNw7QYNyEqCMvtULblJVgfQk/s1600-h/Labor+Day+09+00116.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380715965256295682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7gQqD-NytDP6N85fI5bifsrvOckXERzy0ZQzc7tkYU_AbvIO4gbWVpRMQpccLSto_OK1qcRCi03EBMBMnchMmjxY5CXSwPg9ZpUUvkTaAqQjCYkkamLKNw7QYNyEqCMvtULblJVgfQk/s200/Labor+Day+09+00116.jpg" /></a>Ever heard of "jumping cactus"? I don't know what it's really called but this stuff is bad. I remember always getting into it when I was a boy scout. It's the cactus that just keeps on giving. It doesn't take much. You barely brush against it and then you have cactus needles in you the size of a tiny hair for days to come. Duct tape comes in handy here. Also a good sharp knife blade scraped across your skin can get some of them out. Neat huh? NOT!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cjK7kk2eq0T5E6lhlWXxSE7JLc4IwYbqhG7RHzlzleiPt44n7ioD8_6yi6b35yH5GURyB0FLOvUD94mb2sZ3jkU2fVyD8VPFnk5hsEIXsGvcHvq0n8GNqUtmWA_Xg-eT_9a4-ChaoR0/s1600-h/Labor+Day+09+00118.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380716437008578722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cjK7kk2eq0T5E6lhlWXxSE7JLc4IwYbqhG7RHzlzleiPt44n7ioD8_6yi6b35yH5GURyB0FLOvUD94mb2sZ3jkU2fVyD8VPFnk5hsEIXsGvcHvq0n8GNqUtmWA_Xg-eT_9a4-ChaoR0/s200/Labor+Day+09+00118.jpg" /></a>We also took the time to put up a mailbox. It's official, we have an address. Yeah! I took an old 4x4 fence post and used it for the mailbox post. I think it turned out ok. Doesn't look new. That's what I was aiming for.
The women decided that they would go back into town and take the pets and kids with them and stay the night in our house and let Todd and I have some alone time with each other. I really appreciated the time. It's not that <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiM-G8aeV5Jp5UV2j-APvQH1Vn47eJRZG1KBHxl2QS3NgUcehvdquLNhoOXOI9cem58jaiagKEI5N-Ts2N9q_JsUtwFAhH9V2QYLlHeZZaQ7iEckBqERSsVl7Xgo3MYkoGONW_VoN_fXw/s1600-h/Labor+Day+09+00119.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380716441967061714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiM-G8aeV5Jp5UV2j-APvQH1Vn47eJRZG1KBHxl2QS3NgUcehvdquLNhoOXOI9cem58jaiagKEI5N-Ts2N9q_JsUtwFAhH9V2QYLlHeZZaQ7iEckBqERSsVl7Xgo3MYkoGONW_VoN_fXw/s200/Labor+Day+09+00119.jpg" /></a>often that we get the chance to just hang out and visit. So, we loaded up Todd's van, kissed our wives goodbye and saw them off.
We saw a small rattlesnake but didn't have a chance to kill it. I hesitate to just kill for the sake of killing. Now I'll have to be on the look out. I won't hesitate if I have to defend myself. This one wasn't interested, he looked at me and went down a hole.
We saw more cotton tail rabbits and we also saw a really odd looking beetle. I have no idea what kind it was but It looked rather scary so I killed it. I know...I know...but it could have been poisonous, right?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapefxugIrLJt4wkz8fX4Jx8wVjLY90H-Vo0rGre6OQ5kM11MSk4sswZ4EXtoJY59a6i3jnlqJO8BodFAIQ6BM6tAW72SglVnPsRmOpBHHr0RnaWZRp5Punw7b0sqVqP83FfkRD9yolEo/s1600-h/LaborDay+at+Circle-H+012.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380716582038454258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapefxugIrLJt4wkz8fX4Jx8wVjLY90H-Vo0rGre6OQ5kM11MSk4sswZ4EXtoJY59a6i3jnlqJO8BodFAIQ6BM6tAW72SglVnPsRmOpBHHr0RnaWZRp5Punw7b0sqVqP83FfkRD9yolEo/s200/LaborDay+at+Circle-H+012.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkkTrnMlsKVUUbfC7RaQp5iMcr3c3AmEEWZc5KKBNR_KElu9rF61ods8qieYUplcE93ZPy4Xfqz8GG5fYG2DHss_9O8dXEmwjF8mYIzTkVnWjjg3VmoB1BS6hkZzSP8SyBtArAveHkLs/s1600-h/Labor+Day+09+00098.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380715954926317890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkkTrnMlsKVUUbfC7RaQp5iMcr3c3AmEEWZc5KKBNR_KElu9rF61ods8qieYUplcE93ZPy4Xfqz8GG5fYG2DHss_9O8dXEmwjF8mYIzTkVnWjjg3VmoB1BS6hkZzSP8SyBtArAveHkLs/s200/Labor+Day+09+00098.jpg" /></a>Josh took time to pose for a picture with 'Papa'.
A section of trees were all bent over, up-rooted and scorched white. Not a leaf on any of them. Some of them broken off 20 feet up. I have no idea what did it but it was a little weird to walk up on a section of trees like that. What could have done it? How could something turn the trees white like that? Heat? The ground wasn't touched. It looked like something big came crashing through the woods, but only a small section was affected. I guess this will remain a mystery.Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-85462260986106695262009-08-24T16:37:00.000-07:002009-08-24T17:30:09.228-07:00Another HOT day at the Ranch clearing treesSo...we have a moment last Saturday where we find ourselves with nothing much to do. I had already watered the straw outside that tries to pass as grass, replaced the kitchen faucet and taken my wife out to Lunch with Molly and Larissa. Our afternoon was suddenly open. Molly volunteered to watch the pets until 5pm so we decided to head out to the Circle-H and give it a quick inspection.
Just before leaving, Ann called Todd, (They had camped out overnight, or so we thought.), Todd said they had just gotten there around 2pm and was getting ready to work on clearing more trees from the proposed roadway...would I bring my chainsaw? I'd be lying if I said I was over joyed but it was a chance to spend some time with Todd and his family.
Well...I had not planned on actually working, but...
Next thing I know, I'm throwing the saw and gas can in the back of the truck and we're off.
We noticed that the whole family was there and even though they were under the gazebo, it was obvious that the 103 degree temp was cooking them. Of course, the grand-sons were no worse for wear...
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01AVnxhaXBcPwQRSXkFyztHtGAQ_MdHCrNs3U9CLxNqWxjEj3HINBbcjrtWEw5ntmLEP8H-dP5BTNbfoz9opUMhFLzoSyDiOXrylKMaDh0jnZboH2f99xSLRIksV-OhYli8_VLV3KuvA/s1600-h/Matt-A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+007.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373683340445995618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01AVnxhaXBcPwQRSXkFyztHtGAQ_MdHCrNs3U9CLxNqWxjEj3HINBbcjrtWEw5ntmLEP8H-dP5BTNbfoz9opUMhFLzoSyDiOXrylKMaDh0jnZboH2f99xSLRIksV-OhYli8_VLV3KuvA/s320/Matt-A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+007.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPPSRak4fCVAzw24vJpzJSDMkNjR0s2iqwR9NWkONU70i3K4kse5xys-igGdx1WbYfNk6Ag2dKLrSAdB5gXVN1VphOGI0l4qRkxh5ILn8ZlZpcykfqnsa_DvYy0a9fxeRo6qAbHjI3pk/s1600-h/A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+015.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373686058373296738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPPSRak4fCVAzw24vJpzJSDMkNjR0s2iqwR9NWkONU70i3K4kse5xys-igGdx1WbYfNk6Ag2dKLrSAdB5gXVN1VphOGI0l4qRkxh5ILn8ZlZpcykfqnsa_DvYy0a9fxeRo6qAbHjI3pk/s320/A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+015.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQpYSbO_sw-qGz412mLh2EVFrkE1uWXE5Q8pnYS4ctrFiM1usHx1pVW7z9BHjEHjbYcD1EUYlv9HJxay1WvqLImYj9uWkedfvOKmjnXuXYIJTxjw1PLzB6UPSGPuS61D1_OTpXZqe1Hg/s1600-h/Sam+in+front-Josh+and+Zoe+in+back-A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+009.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373686074627336130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQpYSbO_sw-qGz412mLh2EVFrkE1uWXE5Q8pnYS4ctrFiM1usHx1pVW7z9BHjEHjbYcD1EUYlv9HJxay1WvqLImYj9uWkedfvOKmjnXuXYIJTxjw1PLzB6UPSGPuS61D1_OTpXZqe1Hg/s320/Sam+in+front-Josh+and+Zoe+in+back-A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+009.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMVy7M5EbFL0iEd6OacIlDkhd2E3KVpLLd1fgQBjbhuygIOycxKfmlc5hioD8M_26uq5vbKg-3ol4j_Xks4dYbt9-ZPoApct8wf0_XaEwjRjR7VJgJAtNjOA-NnwryBrZHHwQ9QHeRBE/s1600-h/Zoe-A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+017.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373687261903521186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMVy7M5EbFL0iEd6OacIlDkhd2E3KVpLLd1fgQBjbhuygIOycxKfmlc5hioD8M_26uq5vbKg-3ol4j_Xks4dYbt9-ZPoApct8wf0_XaEwjRjR7VJgJAtNjOA-NnwryBrZHHwQ9QHeRBE/s320/Zoe-A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+017.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4L22VhGBCCgUmzSKzRbQND9LTjQbGYKchWs-eroBh7AWoGn7aOAVGdhOXB0tclcIa3nDNxqPUkmLqr2tg2AcvUPjCNHEUGv3yrz7ZRj21VWiHb1X6oXH6BZnAzyVBws5-1rtY1Vr1gg/s1600-h/Matt+knows+where+the+water+is+011.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373683354628531602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4L22VhGBCCgUmzSKzRbQND9LTjQbGYKchWs-eroBh7AWoGn7aOAVGdhOXB0tclcIa3nDNxqPUkmLqr2tg2AcvUPjCNHEUGv3yrz7ZRj21VWiHb1X6oXH6BZnAzyVBws5-1rtY1Vr1gg/s320/Matt+knows+where+the+water+is+011.jpg" /></a>
Todd and I surveyed the scene and I saw what he had been working on, so I fired up the saw and was about to start cutting when Todd gave me the 'cutthroat' sign by slicing his hand past his throat. I turned off the saw to see what was the matter and he pointed out to me that I had forgotten to close the bar oil reservoir and was leaking oil all over the place....Ooooops. Not a good start. Regroup.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UzxOJxQ9prAqKj-bjamQ9UPMwscm7VH-3ECelLGryPZShHVPkVVHdlKTSpDqZnYVJITHAufBfGgcILGhQnAFTdgqsotZDYWrtLuJWkNv3bviQjFUHTjiE-9tVrUne6lWxbh4Rc_MLqM/s1600-h/Where+to+begin+At+Circle-H+020.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373686089047695490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UzxOJxQ9prAqKj-bjamQ9UPMwscm7VH-3ECelLGryPZShHVPkVVHdlKTSpDqZnYVJITHAufBfGgcILGhQnAFTdgqsotZDYWrtLuJWkNv3bviQjFUHTjiE-9tVrUne6lWxbh4Rc_MLqM/s320/Where+to+begin+At+Circle-H+020.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SHdX24vAxxRafAXfo3yUBeI4qUtOy8jAvrlLXpOifwBcV9S8MBt6nv3OXedhyOoUuxnkKrghuqHCQNrpe1dk4nck71xcqleIMlUnmCifUes2VG2y52uI4lX2yFB1d1cf2uosi1jhqHU/s1600-h/lets+get+started-A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+021.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373683349379598146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SHdX24vAxxRafAXfo3yUBeI4qUtOy8jAvrlLXpOifwBcV9S8MBt6nv3OXedhyOoUuxnkKrghuqHCQNrpe1dk4nck71xcqleIMlUnmCifUes2VG2y52uI4lX2yFB1d1cf2uosi1jhqHU/s320/lets+get+started-A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+021.jpg" /></a>
Ok...Todd and I surveyed the scene...and I started cutting and Todd started hauling. We were going along at a pretty good pace, when my right hand really started hurting. I turned off the saw pulled off Todd's gloves that I had borrowed and realized that my right ring finger was starting to become de-gloved by my gold ring. I guess, between the heat, the swelling and the vibration of the saw, my ring was digging into my finger, had broken the skin and was slowing sliding up the bottom pad of my finger. The skin was kind of accordion shaped. I pulled it back into place and pocketed the ring. Ouch!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkrcNlwaP0T-sRtpB1Qxieh1esvNd81NcFTOcgHPLJKJIRStNcuMyicqJvTNKg9EVjB6AxDYeQpSmZ1RDCR7E_TxAPseke6PHq5uCwhvznojjVryFegfFqsC47vTF1hOM0m8ZdqiRiss/s1600-h/sawing+a+log-A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+026.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373686076576023634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkrcNlwaP0T-sRtpB1Qxieh1esvNd81NcFTOcgHPLJKJIRStNcuMyicqJvTNKg9EVjB6AxDYeQpSmZ1RDCR7E_TxAPseke6PHq5uCwhvznojjVryFegfFqsC47vTF1hOM0m8ZdqiRiss/s320/sawing+a+log-A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+026.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-bTwI_zuFqThhhPuaFhc-hPn4PDIAgLSSX__yEu2_gRz_69QXK7uwPMfumpdTj0nN4h8qb599fHnQEHhkXLIqjR1_putYfQkamdRD-2nlWhEWPlokve8lqItAnaWuJiPDiW7bve5Dbo/s1600-h/Packing+a+log-A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+018.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373686065245587986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-bTwI_zuFqThhhPuaFhc-hPn4PDIAgLSSX__yEu2_gRz_69QXK7uwPMfumpdTj0nN4h8qb599fHnQEHhkXLIqjR1_putYfQkamdRD-2nlWhEWPlokve8lqItAnaWuJiPDiW7bve5Dbo/s320/Packing+a+log-A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+018.jpg" /></a>
I stopped cutting shortly after that when I started seeing black and was light headed. Too hot. Geesh, I'm getting old. I had brought 2 liters of water with me but the heat still got to me. I was soaked...at least I was still sweating.
So...after that, we took a stroll around the perimeter, talked about the future of the ranch and headed back to the family at the gazebo. All in all, it was still successful. We still got a lot done. This section doesn't even look like it used to have trees. I try to cut them off as close to the ground as I can. This spot is pretty much clear. The yellow flags mark where the road will go.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CKQvhCWr7-taQTf-48F2n3rN5dWkqghFP7k6UEai_5JhcFfrf0Z85SEGkpVQXMS3rlr0aUOWGRZwtsZ8JX0csEJq7kR9LYQeAQzg-taGwyjMTx_LmQlHUytqFk1nCHY8mJRrYYO0TKo/s1600-h/A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+019.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373683341320126242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CKQvhCWr7-taQTf-48F2n3rN5dWkqghFP7k6UEai_5JhcFfrf0Z85SEGkpVQXMS3rlr0aUOWGRZwtsZ8JX0csEJq7kR9LYQeAQzg-taGwyjMTx_LmQlHUytqFk1nCHY8mJRrYYO0TKo/s320/A+hot+day+at+Circle-H+019.jpg" /></a>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-17145608247104142082009-08-02T17:38:00.000-07:002009-08-02T18:07:07.887-07:00Setup a Storage Shed and wandered around a bit<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk2hrpalSDwMWmxS7GieVHzxmWty59dKZGeoWelmDy84QP2FNr6lRikjkUYQSz9D3pkLpyj5JVQyarWNMRhYDA43kybuLFWh2KHNt160NvCdjbrLdsNstqIIqky46uOSATCZ9XwVgH-8/s1600-h/July+2009+063.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365530768815906658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk2hrpalSDwMWmxS7GieVHzxmWty59dKZGeoWelmDy84QP2FNr6lRikjkUYQSz9D3pkLpyj5JVQyarWNMRhYDA43kybuLFWh2KHNt160NvCdjbrLdsNstqIIqky46uOSATCZ9XwVgH-8/s320/July+2009+063.jpg" /></a> The gate still looks good and seems to be holding up, in spite of a proper "H" brace. The road is still in good shape.</div><div>
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</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nsqSZn7iiI6j2w4h9-LUbmAg64TlK7l6E919etdXPTWSez4OmCoNnA0YnlR232l_caiAu7VzA9p7L1O6Wb6EF-zeTZSsgGnHALpKETy-X7h5GbOlcS8r1aGAo7t9RI2rwly4sGaC7Qc/s1600-h/July+2009+059.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365531181007574626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nsqSZn7iiI6j2w4h9-LUbmAg64TlK7l6E919etdXPTWSez4OmCoNnA0YnlR232l_caiAu7VzA9p7L1O6Wb6EF-zeTZSsgGnHALpKETy-X7h5GbOlcS8r1aGAo7t9RI2rwly4sGaC7Qc/s320/July+2009+059.jpg" /></a>The gazebo was still standing this time. Last time we were out, it was blown over lying in a clump of twisted metal. I drove some stakes into the ground to help but it still needs proper placement.
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</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4haQkmiKhbxG0tvX9b5H1B_qYePWeGNeQBuCVWx5A72Xy8gT3xu8UKrg5YNBo8e6l9adddShJMS1uqATMl8Nq_aRw31JCIvx6D9UnE7qWPMCL0Ydnvk0732fp_vzUEfrTqVHV8hHYBHU/s1600-h/July+2009+035.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365532672483445410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4haQkmiKhbxG0tvX9b5H1B_qYePWeGNeQBuCVWx5A72Xy8gT3xu8UKrg5YNBo8e6l9adddShJMS1uqATMl8Nq_aRw31JCIvx6D9UnE7qWPMCL0Ydnvk0732fp_vzUEfrTqVHV8hHYBHU/s320/July+2009+035.jpg" /></a></div><div>We brought a few extra chairs...</div><div>
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</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEJqJBUZOMWfWh0Qe05p9fHcIv4ZrtMp51iCcs9bl8TOwsgk49WsXtOusAu3MayiH3Y4_Jo55MyRAGcZxN-jDyHp7cZ5sdD0VuVQ8LfRs58Lqo86SmdvS5zeQHxQkktAJwL5vFCNGHhE/s1600-h/July+2009+036.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365533174770606498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEJqJBUZOMWfWh0Qe05p9fHcIv4ZrtMp51iCcs9bl8TOwsgk49WsXtOusAu3MayiH3Y4_Jo55MyRAGcZxN-jDyHp7cZ5sdD0VuVQ8LfRs58Lqo86SmdvS5zeQHxQkktAJwL5vFCNGHhE/s320/July+2009+036.jpg" /></a>NO! That is NOT an outhouse! That is the new storage shed that we put together. Ann thought it would be funny to take this picture because is looked just like I was going to the outhouse.
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</div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAts7sEVYeHFIrihJn0W947foPxpJveybslPtzBItFo_1GjVKn5UCmN3mE1ScbLyd7yI5Hccnd5jZWRiIn15s0mHBIyo-pp5r38XMc2PPxGQyyVuXSblD67eWrKAd5S-bguAaDxxYvhvM/s1600-h/July+2009+057.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365536395443522802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAts7sEVYeHFIrihJn0W947foPxpJveybslPtzBItFo_1GjVKn5UCmN3mE1ScbLyd7yI5Hccnd5jZWRiIn15s0mHBIyo-pp5r38XMc2PPxGQyyVuXSblD67eWrKAd5S-bguAaDxxYvhvM/s320/July+2009+057.jpg" /></a> Here is a picture that shows how dry it is out there.</div><div> </div></div></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKfWxI50nEQGj8qucRlJHHzi6yv-EwIDZTSPV9i-JTbB6k-ag4HnAHyiRl-HnoLZIGCBg7K9ydR5HRjKjRchgat-Kw8LslQxsD_5KyfM8E0xX8RkO-v22kzfz_Zqj-B2b4Fb1ay5VsFY/s1600-h/July+2009+048.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365536392402288946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKfWxI50nEQGj8qucRlJHHzi6yv-EwIDZTSPV9i-JTbB6k-ag4HnAHyiRl-HnoLZIGCBg7K9ydR5HRjKjRchgat-Kw8LslQxsD_5KyfM8E0xX8RkO-v22kzfz_Zqj-B2b4Fb1ay5VsFY/s320/July+2009+048.jpg" /></a> Me walking around.
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fAxpPF4xfDArZ4c0szUOZiLWZfNEIGqyWqdboaXjcvbi4A6MYF_hgpE_S-TH9puKrtONeJiKL7JbdSHM7XGzGlMPRia4lUEnwtnsa6xSefjO8Vm9fUJHBsRqACHuJlLPDB5GK3LxXP0/s1600-h/July+2009+056.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365536388400973442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fAxpPF4xfDArZ4c0szUOZiLWZfNEIGqyWqdboaXjcvbi4A6MYF_hgpE_S-TH9puKrtONeJiKL7JbdSHM7XGzGlMPRia4lUEnwtnsa6xSefjO8Vm9fUJHBsRqACHuJlLPDB5GK3LxXP0/s320/July+2009+056.jpg" /></a> Here's a small grassy clearing...where the road is going to go through...someday...only about 10 more dump truck loads to get back this far from the county road.</div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-83617870187156325862009-07-05T18:12:00.000-07:002009-07-06T08:16:20.477-07:00Family Outing: 4th of July 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wZWHdqCXegJ2wklLp2gQKyq_KQ9dIuK9fVyJz8oS7J7tIEQ7GUuaG_KdtEcAZO5vbpeCQprq3ruIqK19S_JFXT01cvA_-3e99JFRBg5gft6a3zGhq__Z-vD-SewiAYlZtu_14RetkBo/s1600-h/4th+Of+July-2009+074.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355160979461784050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wZWHdqCXegJ2wklLp2gQKyq_KQ9dIuK9fVyJz8oS7J7tIEQ7GUuaG_KdtEcAZO5vbpeCQprq3ruIqK19S_JFXT01cvA_-3e99JFRBg5gft6a3zGhq__Z-vD-SewiAYlZtu_14RetkBo/s320/4th+Of+July-2009+074.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>
</div><div>Ok, nothing new at the ranch. No new work done(period). It's been way too hot! Besides, we went to Utah for a couple of weeks. Ann gave Travis one of her kidneys. My wife is an Angel sent to earth and she loves me (of all people), I don't know what I did to deserve it, but I'll take it. All of the events from the hospital were posted on Facebook. Everything went fine. So...at any rate, nothing got done out here while we were gone.</div><div></div><div>
</div><div>So...we get back...Ann convalesces for a few days and bang...back in the saddle. Let's have the whole bunch together for the 4th. Of course, Ann takes on the whole task of putting it all together. She <em>does</em> put on a good spread, but in Ann's present state that means I'm loading up everything by myself. Oh well, activity keeps you young, right?</div><div></div><div>
</div><div>So, we load everything up and get on the road. This time, with the Travel trailer in tow. We just bought a new camera so this is a good chance to document the experience. Several of our friends have requested pictures of the drive out to Circle H so I'll attach a bunch of 'em.</div><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjxJxuWP9tRny_3sZficykHBSYpm7Vs9VXoxBfx90JdybCQZAnJxbhNPxy3dGu-iR953roaGohSt9feZnp8posbxxFkxRPLCHiD5_FXb7l5ZWGcY6sI6szoUOtqQeJ9w3P8w6kx1c1hg/s1600-h/4th+Of+July-2009+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355156084426626738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjxJxuWP9tRny_3sZficykHBSYpm7Vs9VXoxBfx90JdybCQZAnJxbhNPxy3dGu-iR953roaGohSt9feZnp8posbxxFkxRPLCHiD5_FXb7l5ZWGcY6sI6szoUOtqQeJ9w3P8w6kx1c1hg/s320/4th+Of+July-2009+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtXokL2V1pMq1_96FiaMYx0TFM2stf73LyscrdJQjchWtX6C3Wm97nnUV418oIyV1gqBzCxV2OvlaYUHrtDUJLujq5ea17y76g66w2U6BnAHowAAwTVuTKydIuxnD5DlWp0dDFsRNJUk/s1600-h/4th+Of+July-2009+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355156090438680002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtXokL2V1pMq1_96FiaMYx0TFM2stf73LyscrdJQjchWtX6C3Wm97nnUV418oIyV1gqBzCxV2OvlaYUHrtDUJLujq5ea17y76g66w2U6BnAHowAAwTVuTKydIuxnD5DlWp0dDFsRNJUk/s320/4th+Of+July-2009+005.jpg" border="0" /></a>
</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Over all, it was lots of fun. Although, I think, I'm still experiencing some of the "fun" in the form of various aches and pains in my shoulders, back, etc. I swear, I'm going to put wheels on my 3500watt generator. That sucker is just too plain heavy to be lifting and carrying by myself.</div><div>
</div><div>By the way, on a little more than half a tank of gas, the generator ran the RV and the AC for almost 5 hours. The temp outside 105F. I think it did just fine.</div><div></div><div>
</div><div>Where was I? Oh yeah. We (I) loaded up everything in the truck and RV, hitched it up and we pulled out around 9:30am on the 4th. We stopped and got gas at the intersection of 183 and continued on our way. Ann took pictures while I drove. </div><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yFTy425JgKkz75cUAFN28movkib7MCfF63ZWEmXUJGN700MXkyRW6uQFinCEK0zk4L33e0mPo2y8TB5ebLR4df3of9o6myA2fTvOgbn0Ib1mAPDaJzVK4Z5DDXz3BY6Caod_WLPX_Rs/s1600-h/4th+Of+July-2009+022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355156094486657426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yFTy425JgKkz75cUAFN28movkib7MCfF63ZWEmXUJGN700MXkyRW6uQFinCEK0zk4L33e0mPo2y8TB5ebLR4df3of9o6myA2fTvOgbn0Ib1mAPDaJzVK4Z5DDXz3BY6Caod_WLPX_Rs/s320/4th+Of+July-2009+022.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-hOdHI2FwoezKa-MlPcmA4QacDvTtIok0KXIUPjce2dOSpY_Xar5I2coi8OCcScJ37wjTxzbyE9W4Nyzbm-BYN30E-P8RNrKsvE9UdfAkOBP4ZOyqlPsiplxfhAwLsybnS2-DHvesQI/s1600-h/4th+Of+July-2009+042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355156099625496498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-hOdHI2FwoezKa-MlPcmA4QacDvTtIok0KXIUPjce2dOSpY_Xar5I2coi8OCcScJ37wjTxzbyE9W4Nyzbm-BYN30E-P8RNrKsvE9UdfAkOBP4ZOyqlPsiplxfhAwLsybnS2-DHvesQI/s320/4th+Of+July-2009+042.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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</div><div>When we got out there, the gazebo had been blown over by the wind from the latest storm. There was a little debris in the driveway but not too bad. I pulled up, assessed the situation and backed her in with Ann giving signals and direction from the rear. I did have to get out and check a few times but I managed to get it passed the turn and keep going. I guess we only backed it in about 200 feet from the road.</div><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvFQzRRnYZjL2oau8TDrPU4yjU2YobpDzJWJz3Q-vDnKD7cUgPIc6cUzdzMEQeSnNq7zk8exPbM1XawK18ZterFCe_CNHB7vp-pKvC2mfuS7sR9ZyZVvEvfAXY5SSN2QoT-gY68WlSgA/s1600-h/4th+Of+July-2009+063.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355156619306547842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvFQzRRnYZjL2oau8TDrPU4yjU2YobpDzJWJz3Q-vDnKD7cUgPIc6cUzdzMEQeSnNq7zk8exPbM1XawK18ZterFCe_CNHB7vp-pKvC2mfuS7sR9ZyZVvEvfAXY5SSN2QoT-gY68WlSgA/s320/4th+Of+July-2009+063.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGdz5b5E2MzMi2w6kdz9M4Z89lbilr487rYvLPeyFpyozrB2NeAwSISDQMNlNU7V1Mmjhsmr_TpWEBjdIYjFgJJ7lgsjKxv-h3NF6IZfnDp8QriTb9u6zcI2NoAcVvGFbedC1MiM_0Ek/s1600-h/4th+Of+July-2009+055.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355156104065509202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGdz5b5E2MzMi2w6kdz9M4Z89lbilr487rYvLPeyFpyozrB2NeAwSISDQMNlNU7V1Mmjhsmr_TpWEBjdIYjFgJJ7lgsjKxv-h3NF6IZfnDp8QriTb9u6zcI2NoAcVvGFbedC1MiM_0Ek/s320/4th+Of+July-2009+055.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I unloaded everything and set up the picnic table under the gazebo and while I unhitched the trailer, Ann started the Grill. What's for dinner? Grilled corn on the cob, fresh sausage, pistachio salad, potato salad, macaroni salad, fresh veggie platter, hot dogs, chips, and cold soda, with home made banana pudding for dessert. Sound good? It was. Good ol' fashion southern home cooking. Yum.</div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJPo6sRCmREtH7NzKSt0xkL0avm9-Hyz9SdaDFraxRQP_50zlPZyEztsUcXI9nCk01Wbhk6zV0e250bppw8VozvuTaX-UBrOqMU0fazAuQxI3TNuCrbaHNXobnEX-67PkSej6-XPVqwY/s1600-h/4th+Of+July-2009+098.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355156633639650898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJPo6sRCmREtH7NzKSt0xkL0avm9-Hyz9SdaDFraxRQP_50zlPZyEztsUcXI9nCk01Wbhk6zV0e250bppw8VozvuTaX-UBrOqMU0fazAuQxI3TNuCrbaHNXobnEX-67PkSej6-XPVqwY/s320/4th+Of+July-2009+098.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlvN7Ue2B9_XGTjp9xTUISdkdxh_WywKqlXBgbpSHXc4zlPGrgNpVcqRodccow9_11QW5-PAW4U0dshlzpLgDKFFsiAMNSPEJvRjRnpXB_ODWR6J1ktBPYsdixpGoqzeCjyfA5uQe2KE/s1600-h/4th+Of+July-2009+103.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355157017677738098" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlvN7Ue2B9_XGTjp9xTUISdkdxh_WywKqlXBgbpSHXc4zlPGrgNpVcqRodccow9_11QW5-PAW4U0dshlzpLgDKFFsiAMNSPEJvRjRnpXB_ODWR6J1ktBPYsdixpGoqzeCjyfA5uQe2KE/s320/4th+Of+July-2009+103.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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</div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvV2EywG4yzxBgLv8NUrprL-qOLgJkJ_lcB3_eHx-W5Sl3ghScRRMwTrokg2cc_x8ui6EOVSpYXGtu4U8CE09SklVQrKW1KsPavBNtx0jz6biG4ga15bG3lyZUfCt7qfykR0HN6MEZCg/s1600-h/4th+Of+July-2009+106.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355157020036537730" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvV2EywG4yzxBgLv8NUrprL-qOLgJkJ_lcB3_eHx-W5Sl3ghScRRMwTrokg2cc_x8ui6EOVSpYXGtu4U8CE09SklVQrKW1KsPavBNtx0jz6biG4ga15bG3lyZUfCt7qfykR0HN6MEZCg/s320/4th+Of+July-2009+106.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjbY942aR66y5wanakBgvCdJ04cgAZY2osZK3YGyOzzC5Pv4biKa8cf-GtfE33WUIXreC3Yklhwlnm1vPITXwK4pnAQ1S8HOnujNh5NeaR7Pl8T0_J-DrcFeJT_s7PKylmzEOU5_tjis/s1600-h/4th+Of+July-2009+101.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355156634352324994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjbY942aR66y5wanakBgvCdJ04cgAZY2osZK3YGyOzzC5Pv4biKa8cf-GtfE33WUIXreC3Yklhwlnm1vPITXwK4pnAQ1S8HOnujNh5NeaR7Pl8T0_J-DrcFeJT_s7PKylmzEOU5_tjis/s320/4th+Of+July-2009+101.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>After lunch, we took a walk around the perimeter to check things out, then tossed a nerf football around and tried to relax a bit. Did I mention that it was 105 degrees outside...it felt closer to around 200 degrees. Man it was hot. The energy was being zapped right out of me. After a while we realized that all the women and kids were in the RV in the AC watching "Horton hears a who". </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcQK-ygayKlflT-QtEHaAYRcSERmpRS2_XDEygKTk1nAgNlS5yCOhMwfKhsSqRXzDf5W1sX3JuC60Dl5Nuapumtuq7wxp5j0gUiWsjf9iXd5Q1OXQ6StOh9nzAWT4oDeGUWVhZ_lc-ko/s1600-h/4th+Of+July-2009+137.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355157029068783106" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcQK-ygayKlflT-QtEHaAYRcSERmpRS2_XDEygKTk1nAgNlS5yCOhMwfKhsSqRXzDf5W1sX3JuC60Dl5Nuapumtuq7wxp5j0gUiWsjf9iXd5Q1OXQ6StOh9nzAWT4oDeGUWVhZ_lc-ko/s320/4th+Of+July-2009+137.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFYq58YlJNkf7s8CszaeKNdDyfx4bzNNR0b7y_T3Ivf4YvULvzqJiSDNQ1F8A6ESijRtkcb9cUyHcYB1ZKhSHs7qab8e96BoExZ3nfOfLTEf9vzVvtVUve0JRL1YATPIngC5EKntmmM4/s1600-h/4th+Of+July-2009+111.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355157023059310082" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFYq58YlJNkf7s8CszaeKNdDyfx4bzNNR0b7y_T3Ivf4YvULvzqJiSDNQ1F8A6ESijRtkcb9cUyHcYB1ZKhSHs7qab8e96BoExZ3nfOfLTEf9vzVvtVUve0JRL1YATPIngC5EKntmmM4/s320/4th+Of+July-2009+111.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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</div><div>Well, we're not too proud to stay out in the heat. We joined them inside for frozen fruit pops and cold sodas. The AC was better than the heat but we were already over heated so it was hard to tell that it was any different than outside even though it was MUCH better inside. Well, on the other hand, when 12 people crowd around inside a small 20' RV, it is interesting. It's a good thing that we are a close family. We really are. We all had a good time in spite of the heat. </div><div>
I love my family, I really do. We had lots of fun. Happy 4th of July. Oh, one more thing...no fireworks on this trip...things are way too dry out here and I don't have running water yet so no way would I risk it. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-64317163659739263252009-06-13T18:46:00.000-07:002009-06-13T19:05:03.362-07:00More work on the gateEric and I went out last night after work to hang the gate better. This time I took my cordless drill, my 1/2" chuck drill, a generator for power and my tools.
I know it's a silly exercise in futility but I wanted to see if my cordless drill could really hold up to solid demand or if it was best used as a screwdriver.
Well...the gate hinge pin is 5/8". My calculation is that I would need a 1/2" drill bit. To do it properly, I figured a 1/4" pilot hole would be best.
I would say that it took about 10 minutes to do the first pilot hole and that was going slow, in a little, backing it out, going in a little, backing it out...I was determined. It just barely got the 1/2" hole done when I called it quits with the cordless. I'm guessing here but I'd say that the first hole took about 20 minutes to finish with the cordless drill. Verdict? Screwdriver. Sure there are some outstanding factors. It didn't have a fresh charge, so that could have been related. However, If you need power and you have a 3500 watt generator, why not use a REAL power tool and not a battery powered one?
I was burning daylight and it was almost sundown by the time I got the first hole done. That doesn't count the time it took to screw in a 5/8" hinge pin 5" deep. If you've never screwed a 5/8" hinge pin into a dry cedar post, you have no idea. Trust me, it's tougher than you'd think.
Eric was sitting in the bed of the truck for morale support since his knee is still pretty much shot. I told him, "Sorry, Eric. You're going to have to move. I slid the generator out a little, set the choke and in 3 pulls had it purring. I set the bit, lined it up and pulled the trigger and drilled the hole straight in. It took all of 3 seconds.
At least the gate is hung and it's straight. The sun was gone and I didn't have a light so it was time to go. I didn't have a camera but I'll take a picture next time and post it here. It's better. I still need to do a proper "H" brace but the whole point here is to make it known that this is private property. I think that message is clear now.Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-59774622733024005582009-06-06T16:25:00.000-07:002009-06-06T17:05:44.920-07:00Finally Hung The Front Gate - Sort Of<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">OK</span>, so last week I went out on Saturday and worked for a few hours, spreading road base. It was the hottest part of the day and wiped me out. Summer is definitely here now and I'm too old to work with the sun beating down on me. I felt like I didn't get much accomplished but Todd said he could tell that I worked on it.
Today, I met him out there. He was working on the driveway so I joined him. I didn't bring my wheelbarrow with me so we were tossing it by the shovel full. We finished raking it and it was '<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">OK</span>'. I'll go out later on with a chain harrow and level it out more, but it doesn't look too bad. 22 cubic yards of road base got us about 100'. I figure another 12 double loads to get the road all the way back to the main part of the building site. Well, after all it's only a quarter of a mile to where we want to build our cabin.
So...once we were done with the driveway, the real fun was about to begin. I had a 12' steel tube gate in the back of my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Silverado</span>. We got busy and cut fence posts from the cedar trees we cut down a few weeks ago. I held up the gate; so we could see where to dig and we got busy.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcATh_ubwXaaDAT3i1ezrgaovRyeXX2AuWHCe067amGg3FAyoUIvAVIYrVWhl_3oWVwr42qZkoPEmyP5GbKgZehNHk9xNdUOCQDeH5DT6gTlep8anxJsGOSn5RSsgz7lqLisRc2W-N9_0/s1600-h/Circle+H+June+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344365731176475250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcATh_ubwXaaDAT3i1ezrgaovRyeXX2AuWHCe067amGg3FAyoUIvAVIYrVWhl_3oWVwr42qZkoPEmyP5GbKgZehNHk9xNdUOCQDeH5DT6gTlep8anxJsGOSn5RSsgz7lqLisRc2W-N9_0/s200/Circle+H+June+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mWy2C69eitE6gUPj0Jqnpc4_dAFlC-9vTvORDLMOGArwwFk5CwOjUh4Rz6ZvUU_PPxxrv3avQJVGWn_EEfDKZY3ciFJEu6g2r6S1j9i0WX8gFw0qyR6MlOprigisMkkuhXg_Z86bSfw/s1600-h/Circle+H+June+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344365195046030610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mWy2C69eitE6gUPj0Jqnpc4_dAFlC-9vTvORDLMOGArwwFk5CwOjUh4Rz6ZvUU_PPxxrv3avQJVGWn_EEfDKZY3ciFJEu6g2r6S1j9i0WX8gFw0qyR6MlOprigisMkkuhXg_Z86bSfw/s200/Circle+H+June+006.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcATh_ubwXaaDAT3i1ezrgaovRyeXX2AuWHCe067amGg3FAyoUIvAVIYrVWhl_3oWVwr42qZkoPEmyP5GbKgZehNHk9xNdUOCQDeH5DT6gTlep8anxJsGOSn5RSsgz7lqLisRc2W-N9_0/s1600-h/Circle+H+June+008.jpg"></a>
I figured, "I have a post hole digger. The ground is soft dirt. This should be simple." Boy was I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">delusional</span>. You tell me, does that ground "look" soft? What was I thinking? The ground was as hard as dirt and clay can ever get. It was like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">trying</span> to dig through rock. I tried to use my mattock to bust up the dirt but instead, bent it right over as if I was hitting it against steel. I was expecting my 8 year old post hole digger to break but it held up through the abuse I was giving it.
About an hour later, I hadn't made much progress other than to wear myself out. Todd hadn't made much progress on the other side of the driveway either. I was ready to quit and go get a gas auger but Todd didn't want to give up, so...I kept digging...stopped for a quick bite of lunch and dug some more...Did I mention that we started on this around 9am?
Eventually, I must have gotten my second wind because I finished up both holes and we planted the posts and hung the gate...sort of. I forgot to bring a drill to make holes for the mounting hardware. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ooops</span>! ;) So...we packed it in around 1:00pm, give or take (I stuck around afterwards and raked the driveway a little before leaving), and called it a day. What do you think? Is it starting to look more like it should?
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5lSOOeHxZ9iJTKL99V6mbNflAtUcK0ARBegSbbnMqGuhzEw4fAg0UCzU4JiwZpTHqq923tvCiWvdhF4ScoQIU6hCMkbfIgA5dhHvcqQ0d29XJgDBa9AYawFbFDIZbKfvkVmC5ac_wu8/s1600-h/Circle+H+June+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344360489421274146" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5lSOOeHxZ9iJTKL99V6mbNflAtUcK0ARBegSbbnMqGuhzEw4fAg0UCzU4JiwZpTHqq923tvCiWvdhF4ScoQIU6hCMkbfIgA5dhHvcqQ0d29XJgDBa9AYawFbFDIZbKfvkVmC5ac_wu8/s200/Circle+H+June+015.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvU2V_fNB8gvxz1ZbiaM03xfvRwY4n4yOILBSJuLU1ixFblQi292qQ9HfA0LRiYG2jnaG_1Dhe1b3ZvvtiNlsMxZi2opHRBbQtIh7nGMKSg9UJoIL2froRCLO0OVpQJAsPQVDl91RYtQ/s1600-h/Circle+H+June+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344360490311580514" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvU2V_fNB8gvxz1ZbiaM03xfvRwY4n4yOILBSJuLU1ixFblQi292qQ9HfA0LRiYG2jnaG_1Dhe1b3ZvvtiNlsMxZi2opHRBbQtIh7nGMKSg9UJoIL2froRCLO0OVpQJAsPQVDl91RYtQ/s200/Circle+H+June+017.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu_J0qkNLBWyKmZrosuaXjyzEb_Ah37xeCKXiRjg3k2LaKJvLQFV4QE0ieJAVwq2OHrUe-cOHwSvLdugjr3Qhj_lPRaFNNeovEtOcOyCUCNZV9t6dfjtuC0ckQ6WU4SpiwSLTwY73EJM/s1600-h/Circle+H+June+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344360491879713058" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu_J0qkNLBWyKmZrosuaXjyzEb_Ah37xeCKXiRjg3k2LaKJvLQFV4QE0ieJAVwq2OHrUe-cOHwSvLdugjr3Qhj_lPRaFNNeovEtOcOyCUCNZV9t6dfjtuC0ckQ6WU4SpiwSLTwY73EJM/s200/Circle+H+June+019.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<div></div></div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-7444749733298600302009-05-24T14:10:00.000-07:002009-05-24T16:10:02.262-07:00Second work party / campout<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Pw0Yfpdrl84I8rncHidWNksa-VsTY5c6m24FeKCwCgAdNA6y4d6jGAV5PvTIuXjee9VP7IjNSmJlaQKXnx62YK1aLs__25_EHmsPXTzV8M3TE5lNI56178uxWeHZQcTK_p5Q2N4fJk0/s1600-h/May+2009+Working+Campout+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339512381068900578" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Pw0Yfpdrl84I8rncHidWNksa-VsTY5c6m24FeKCwCgAdNA6y4d6jGAV5PvTIuXjee9VP7IjNSmJlaQKXnx62YK1aLs__25_EHmsPXTzV8M3TE5lNI56178uxWeHZQcTK_p5Q2N4fJk0/s320/May+2009+Working+Campout+001.jpg" border="0" /></a>Ok, it's Memorial Day weekend and I have big <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4BV_HbrQAol7E61Dd9E-L6Gw9dPKUL5bFP9jCECP1s-jiLoQnSkNR89fZ5ng-5HOMdEXUbOfLHU9_qhNHb2_btbJkfV9CSVPB4DtTjoJQzWJbXS0gOkmVJDTo_Hie5_3NAx5FAd0zq4/s1600-h/May+2009+Working+Campout+025.jpg"></a>plans. Todd has a 4 day weekend and I have a 3 day weekend. The plan is for me to take off work early around 2pm and go home to load up the tools and camping gear in the truck. Eric will come over straight from work, clean up a bit and then we'll leave for Circle H.
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<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Well...we got out there around 6pm. We stopped and bought footlongs, My favorite...Spicy Italian on Honey Oat. Yum...with lots of Jalapeno peppers, pepper jack cheese and Chipotle southwest dressing.</div>
<div></div><div>When we got out there, Todd had already setup his tent, built a Gazebo and erected a Privy. He got out to Circle H around 1pm and got busy.</div><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixwmk1jaWLuMe6jxzpL-LK2lCm717kDvhC6M1FStJF-TkJmnlW5tg7zu9k2YMi2LDj4AQ8452t3kXq5qmXBVWyDzHv1P0cVqPNj11l48mNtX3YxRf2evkERpcnngC8hsR6TPGXtPRPi8/s1600-h/May+2009+Working+Campout+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339502535771733074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixwmk1jaWLuMe6jxzpL-LK2lCm717kDvhC6M1FStJF-TkJmnlW5tg7zu9k2YMi2LDj4AQ8452t3kXq5qmXBVWyDzHv1P0cVqPNj11l48mNtX3YxRf2evkERpcnngC8hsR6TPGXtPRPi8/s320/May+2009+Working+Campout+003.jpg" border="0" /></a>So, we decided to eat first and then get to work. I had an idea to drive stakes into the ground at the center of the driveway and run a stringline at 6". Then, we could shovel the roadbase to the string level. I also put stakes on each end at 5" so there would be gentle crown in the middle. We managed to get a couple of hours of shoveling in before we started losing daylight. We called it quits around 8:45pm on Friday night, May 22nd.
It's hard work but there is something different about working on your own property. I've shoveled gravel before at an hourly rate and I can't recall that I actually enjoyed it. Working with my sons was actually very relaxing. By the time we called it a night, all of the mental garbage, that accumulates from a typical days work, seemed to have melted away and I had a strange sense of satisfaction. It was really a good feeling. Imagine, working hard and feeling good about it. Hmmmm. I think that is how it was meant to be.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAx0mTkpSs4MfwoOzQ8C7s13CvMiHqIZBNI3F1lxGPlEzZQeIR1goBfmngaNqrWISOf1kY3vHnkM320rmJu_4HfzLbcM7y1ggut999OQqSC6bH4wZ73Bnt6E4iDbx2wYxK00tiOQusB4/s1600-h/May+2009+Working+Campout+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339503931270601458" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAx0mTkpSs4MfwoOzQ8C7s13CvMiHqIZBNI3F1lxGPlEzZQeIR1goBfmngaNqrWISOf1kY3vHnkM320rmJu_4HfzLbcM7y1ggut999OQqSC6bH4wZ73Bnt6E4iDbx2wYxK00tiOQusB4/s320/May+2009+Working+Campout+004.jpg" border="0" /></a>By the way, Eric and I took note that Todd had a real nice airmattress, the last time we went camping out here. Eric came prepared with a nice cot and I brought an airmattress myself. Or, should I call it an airbed? I slept really well that night. We watched a DVD called "Passengers" and then went to bed around midnight. I woke up to the sound of a bird that sounded just like my alarm clock and grinned to myself at the irony. It was 6am. Geeez, you can't sleep in in the country. Funny thing is, I was rested and ready to go. So, I got up, grabbed a shovel and rake and got to work until Todd and Eric were up. Then we had breakfast and got back to work. All in all, I'd say we got a lot accomplished. We lashed some poles together to fashion a crude gate, loaded up and headed back to town. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48AoupwZiPc-__WWTQmffZhyiq0meDeSiIDNEd48BV-Lv2rPRYehPQ0W467nEmfEPfVht_1U1XU7uBJtm6MuX75YvKh7sfKue-YOE8Mj7JZXGsWZHA8acP-_e1IdoumzsTiZqakVx1M4/s1600-h/May+2009+Working+Campout+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339506522580308482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48AoupwZiPc-__WWTQmffZhyiq0meDeSiIDNEd48BV-Lv2rPRYehPQ0W467nEmfEPfVht_1U1XU7uBJtm6MuX75YvKh7sfKue-YOE8Mj7JZXGsWZHA8acP-_e1IdoumzsTiZqakVx1M4/s320/May+2009+Working+Campout+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIifBMDR12eKzuYCqkeXwM7HRcyADJDVvNyVkFOLWdNTmo164PGJGy24gGrvoG8FV7K5Ta2D6NVZCR15LbtEFjbut8fvoHBPEM63_tN2gkDSF7qeSG9yndJJIqeqdo55MM3UgCBOFndA/s1600-h/May+2009+Working+Campout+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339506424303141602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIifBMDR12eKzuYCqkeXwM7HRcyADJDVvNyVkFOLWdNTmo164PGJGy24gGrvoG8FV7K5Ta2D6NVZCR15LbtEFjbut8fvoHBPEM63_tN2gkDSF7qeSG9yndJJIqeqdo55MM3UgCBOFndA/s320/May+2009+Working+Campout+005.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339506979595207986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzKadvxLG-oSTL8Jb4eRJUNNDXHG8e0TW4EhQRwHSVzJnzqzgKKyoYWqPT9jpQCn0w7JFBcLs0V_SZNQdkRITHnQaPfk1tz90H4Awy8qsI2cWWoP-rzOFRfHStBT-V_QYmpXFQvonh18/s320/May+2009+Working+Campout+037.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBR7AVLC1ZWpA3RlYYVqkxjF-IULGaQcItVzqGnAAV_6XyoygIOwcGJA5VUq1X0BXOFXVXdpcbovMRqqIxYUNZ64-ERa5Vpx8ECQM-sxKDz-uOvV25W0dW_IN8YQKKk3ZgtsoZGUsccw/s1600-h/May+2009+Working+Campout+025.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339511783727591330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBR7AVLC1ZWpA3RlYYVqkxjF-IULGaQcItVzqGnAAV_6XyoygIOwcGJA5VUq1X0BXOFXVXdpcbovMRqqIxYUNZ64-ERa5Vpx8ECQM-sxKDz-uOvV25W0dW_IN8YQKKk3ZgtsoZGUsccw/s320/May+2009+Working+Campout+025.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpGm6wmkg71MI7TQSEuyu88-BB7X1uZED15v1tu1R6BzH1I8SSM3P2gWGTjgsLtbsb5DSCmmUG0gxzWh5j-I9e5WKjguvyuq3WN8iDhyphenhyphenUkHd3D4kjyLPppcaSCFb4dzuYdn3PL089Lt4/s1600-h/May+2009+Working+Campout+022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339506749754383970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpGm6wmkg71MI7TQSEuyu88-BB7X1uZED15v1tu1R6BzH1I8SSM3P2gWGTjgsLtbsb5DSCmmUG0gxzWh5j-I9e5WKjguvyuq3WN8iDhyphenhyphenUkHd3D4kjyLPppcaSCFb4dzuYdn3PL089Lt4/s320/May+2009+Working+Campout+022.jpg" border="0" /></a>Once we had done all the work we were going to do for the day. We took a stroll through back acreage. Here is a picture of the cattle ranch behind Circle H and a cactus blossum. I can't help it. I think that the cactus is pretty. It's no fun to brush up against but it's still nice to look at. All in all, a really good day spent with my two sons.
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSfNqehlVqj8o3F7UKBSgBIr53m0cON8NH3e5ypl-tpHfQXkgC1lwQncb-SEMlpYCkwz2vCXgortW12SQhQAqic_V2k-h3XXgn4xxV0eUYFslqDJkT9i0jtWitYNdA0WK0esdKsPrkGk/s1600-h/May+2009+Working+Campout+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339510597321288450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSfNqehlVqj8o3F7UKBSgBIr53m0cON8NH3e5ypl-tpHfQXkgC1lwQncb-SEMlpYCkwz2vCXgortW12SQhQAqic_V2k-h3XXgn4xxV0eUYFslqDJkT9i0jtWitYNdA0WK0esdKsPrkGk/s320/May+2009+Working+Campout+019.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-46676533044845793552009-05-21T20:33:00.000-07:002009-05-21T20:54:47.001-07:00Time to bring in road base for a gravel driveway<div><div><div>Here is what the road looked like after the ruts dried.</div>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQFeqivKYLQca5FdkmtKW7YcOV0nwZXtg_NCrINzQfhBqyactrk0tCIWLvZ2X7lJ1aE5j2p6-k2D9BwUVkOfKexwxk4eqd7IPpV0gcwOiFng3eYnsxAkBU89rldWUgUXVw8OKSL3K_aM/s1600-h/May+2009+Birthday+n+Gravel+047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338489939987743714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQFeqivKYLQca5FdkmtKW7YcOV0nwZXtg_NCrINzQfhBqyactrk0tCIWLvZ2X7lJ1aE5j2p6-k2D9BwUVkOfKexwxk4eqd7IPpV0gcwOiFng3eYnsxAkBU89rldWUgUXVw8OKSL3K_aM/s320/May+2009+Birthday+n+Gravel+047.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>As soon as we managed to get out of the mud; after our first attempt at a family gathering at Circle H, I vowed to start bringing in gravel for a road.</div>
<div>After calling around the area, a local company called Armadillo Dirt was recommended to me by another gravel company. I spoke with the owner and made arrangements to have a double load delivered.
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<div>This morning on my way to work, I got a phone call from the driver telling me that he was headed to pick up the gravel and he wanted directions to the site. I gave him directions and then thought it would be best that I have Ann meet him out there at the road. (Considering that it doesn't have an address, yet.)</div><div></div>
<div>After I asked Ann to meet him out there, I had the persistent feeling that I should be out there. So, I followed my gut, told my boss that I'd be gone for a couple of hours and took off to the country, about 65 miles away on the toll road. $5.25 later I was on a 'free' road headed out.
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<div>Somehow, I managed to catch up to them before they got out to the ranch and I dealt with the driver personally. Everything went fine. He was a nice guy. Why I had the prompting to be there in person, I don't know. But, I do know that the entire time I was on the road out there. I had a very strong sense of urgency that I had to get there before the driver did. </div><div></div><div></div>
<div>All said and done, I've always done very well when I followed my instincts. I can't help but wonder though, how many close calls have I avoided by following my feelings?</div><div></div>
<div>Ann took some pictures of the delivery. For a couple of people who have spent the last few decades of our lives as city folk, this was a pretty neat experience. I did work heavy construction for many years before I became a geek so being around a big dump truck was actually nothing new to me.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8n-2Jedf01mAY1kvooc4qRGQBPW1OrTmhNUQcVASL-rHh38HB7otGVp5TdC0bqZkJ9x3PrnmlZ0J9aJjOj6TkpJM-szKF1-v8TQ3KsTt8QdxLPJmHOhpDU4-IukGQvhijLiJULXyxfHY/s1600-h/May+2009+Birthday+n+Gravel+052.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338490667906856306" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8n-2Jedf01mAY1kvooc4qRGQBPW1OrTmhNUQcVASL-rHh38HB7otGVp5TdC0bqZkJ9x3PrnmlZ0J9aJjOj6TkpJM-szKF1-v8TQ3KsTt8QdxLPJmHOhpDU4-IukGQvhijLiJULXyxfHY/s320/May+2009+Birthday+n+Gravel+052.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2UiwiBXM7ZjOXU8xL5U2VYOBv1GveeUqBX2MfsaIMua0STBeCNH_384r6FlIYhySKVuww0cIxflqQEGEUYgX6BqVNc6X-nuyBbevyVwJy2sj5B8THtlWHcA1hKa5qYKPD7caMoY7ymo/s1600-h/May+2009+Birthday+n+Gravel+053.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338490465554897202" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2UiwiBXM7ZjOXU8xL5U2VYOBv1GveeUqBX2MfsaIMua0STBeCNH_384r6FlIYhySKVuww0cIxflqQEGEUYgX6BqVNc6X-nuyBbevyVwJy2sj5B8THtlWHcA1hKa5qYKPD7caMoY7ymo/s320/May+2009+Birthday+n+Gravel+053.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwIA9aPVD-mmCH0qxom8klSIX_gqkCYr2ILvSe43HUXW_u8gP0zWfvWzex9tUkCJKHujwApd4NJ5wVy-w1a7pgfuY19MOurhiXs18o1fwH49XtOgwb7-SkBdAigBN1w53w4TT55lhi5k/s1600-h/May+2009+Birthday+n+Gravel+068.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338491154727177826" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwIA9aPVD-mmCH0qxom8klSIX_gqkCYr2ILvSe43HUXW_u8gP0zWfvWzex9tUkCJKHujwApd4NJ5wVy-w1a7pgfuY19MOurhiXs18o1fwH49XtOgwb7-SkBdAigBN1w53w4TT55lhi5k/s320/May+2009+Birthday+n+Gravel+068.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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So? What's next on the agenda? Me, Todd and Eric are going to go out tomorrow after work and start spreading it by hand. That's right! 30 tons of road base. Hmmmmm. Should be lots of fun...the three of us men...bonding. :)
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<div></div></div></div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170845638446925827.post-1254741797569029192009-05-17T12:56:00.000-07:002009-05-18T07:02:16.497-07:00Our first family picnic at the Ranch<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgB5VedyEBa6bhz_eb9uzhCq5nkpntyxYxPdEK-vLPPTQYJJJBZJglDx3CxCxW7qiMhm5O03kEYy8dsQb27ToR8udGxuWpAQ8Xfublkd34co0GJWWukJ-ReppSyqZtzxSfwVWjA2SR-k/s1600-h/April+25th+@+Kellog+Ct.+038.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336886532676630114" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgB5VedyEBa6bhz_eb9uzhCq5nkpntyxYxPdEK-vLPPTQYJJJBZJglDx3CxCxW7qiMhm5O03kEYy8dsQb27ToR8udGxuWpAQ8Xfublkd34co0GJWWukJ-ReppSyqZtzxSfwVWjA2SR-k/s320/April+25th+%40+Kellog+Ct.+038.jpg" border="0" /></a>After two months of going out and working on the ranch, cutting down dead trees and scrubs, digging up cactus; which by the way has its own elegant beauty, we were ready to have everyone come out camping.
<div><p>We found a perfect weekend, the one just before my 51st birthday. Everyone but Torie & Travis would be there. We cleared a space big enough to bring in the RV, I even mowed a big stripe so we could have a picnic area and place to setup tents for camping, too. </p><p></p><p>Eric even got to try out his new axe.</p>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrg1LDU3Ju0uFUwSqulLMhaS5xcYEjTR8w3Rb5CAQ5ylG3wS3RFvtmB8fA8LB5YwB0r6YZSfnrjHgUdFtgoyw2pDYbQ2HqzXShMnAcwdBysAQhuLBM25v73RMJPwt4v8tO1218Cgze_9Y/s1600-h/April+25th+@+Kellog+Ct.+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336885109406848562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrg1LDU3Ju0uFUwSqulLMhaS5xcYEjTR8w3Rb5CAQ5ylG3wS3RFvtmB8fA8LB5YwB0r6YZSfnrjHgUdFtgoyw2pDYbQ2HqzXShMnAcwdBysAQhuLBM25v73RMJPwt4v8tO1218Cgze_9Y/s320/April+25th+%40+Kellog+Ct.+002.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<p>Everything was planned. All loose ends, tied. I even got out the electric generator and made sure that it could run the A/C in the RV. We were going to be 'boondocking' for our first trip with the RV.</p><p>What's that they say about mice and men? Well 'murphy' was hard at work. We started watching the weather forecast and it wasn't looking good. Storms were headed this way. Camping was definitely out. After shaking the disappointment of our RV maiden voyage, we called everyone to say that the picnic was still on. We would just go out and have fun. The rain wasn't moving in until late Saturday afternoon so we could have fun and get out before the rain hit.</p><p>Oooops, I guess we didn't make it. Just as we were starting to eat, the thunder storm rolled in with fury and soaked us good. We must have sat under a tarp at the picnic table for 45 minutes. When the rain slowed a bit, we made mad dashes back and forth to our vehicles to get everything loaded up.</p><div>Todd was the first to leave. We were saying our goodbyes to Eric and his family when I heard the sound of an engine rev'ing and tires spinning in mud and gravel. I must have heard it for some time when I suddenly realized that it was Todd and he was stuck.</div>
<div>I ran to the driveway and to my astonishment, I saw that Todd had dug himself several nice deep trenches in the "perfect" driveway that Eric and I had worked so hard on. He couldn't get out forward but he could back out. I suggested that he come back to the grass and let me get out with the truck so I could hook up a tow strap and pull him out.</div>
<div>Yeah, that worked out well. I got stuck just as bad, if not worse.</div>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8sHO4b3FuDcJfS7P5U3AqITbOmgYpdxtWAXcUEqEKcjNl_BjjBZpgSgFTjArt96Gj8udQBW1RCdfjYwruH2XkxUbmP35ptwAhhPFfAqKZ8uoZrdsUCqj-7zoF7OfJVS9XZMqfvXFL6c/s1600-h/rAiN+dAy!+022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336889360838637554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 181px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8sHO4b3FuDcJfS7P5U3AqITbOmgYpdxtWAXcUEqEKcjNl_BjjBZpgSgFTjArt96Gj8udQBW1RCdfjYwruH2XkxUbmP35ptwAhhPFfAqKZ8uoZrdsUCqj-7zoF7OfJVS9XZMqfvXFL6c/s320/rAiN+dAy!+022.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>We tried everything we could think of. We put branches and logs under the tires. That didn't work. We managed to get the truck close to the road but really got stuck so I backed it up and got stuck again. We went on a hike through the propery and found some old pieces of tin to use to get traction. That helped out a lot. Thanks to Ann's quick thinking and answered prayers, we got the truck close enough to the road to get a neighbor to hook up a tow strap and pull me out into the road.</div>
<p>This is Molly, barely containing herself <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoeD_0Y1uegVahnAC13rEa41CtdjwpSOi4IPs88K3SU0yIX0bguwtQQEUihyphenhyphenHpw9LfxZptQhDZNPBuiB2-5X0zZrJyrRSN-E1BmbW36IXbPLhbUKUN9IaothSX8U4eynStcWfR1p78Kk/s1600-h/rAiN+dAy!+023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336891121925501618" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 181px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoeD_0Y1uegVahnAC13rEa41CtdjwpSOi4IPs88K3SU0yIX0bguwtQQEUihyphenhyphenHpw9LfxZptQhDZNPBuiB2-5X0zZrJyrRSN-E1BmbW36IXbPLhbUKUN9IaothSX8U4eynStcWfR1p78Kk/s320/rAiN+dAy!+023.JPG" border="0" /></a>as she laughed at all the fun we were having. Don't believe me? </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoeD_0Y1uegVahnAC13rEa41CtdjwpSOi4IPs88K3SU0yIX0bguwtQQEUihyphenhyphenHpw9LfxZptQhDZNPBuiB2-5X0zZrJyrRSN-E1BmbW36IXbPLhbUKUN9IaothSX8U4eynStcWfR1p78Kk/s1600-h/rAiN+dAy!+023.JPG"></a> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoeD_0Y1uegVahnAC13rEa41CtdjwpSOi4IPs88K3SU0yIX0bguwtQQEUihyphenhyphenHpw9LfxZptQhDZNPBuiB2-5X0zZrJyrRSN-E1BmbW36IXbPLhbUKUN9IaothSX8U4eynStcWfR1p78Kk/s1600-h/rAiN+dAy!+023.JPG"></a> </p><p> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoeD_0Y1uegVahnAC13rEa41CtdjwpSOi4IPs88K3SU0yIX0bguwtQQEUihyphenhyphenHpw9LfxZptQhDZNPBuiB2-5X0zZrJyrRSN-E1BmbW36IXbPLhbUKUN9IaothSX8U4eynStcWfR1p78Kk/s1600-h/rAiN+dAy!+023.JPG"></a> </p><p>Ann was thoroughly enjoying herself. See? </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZv-5LrelXinF7HnpBRkesr9uoeS19-keQfSBFyAO2ri_h_5eZC3O5awPKwEcn0q95GiVCsUvE70KcHAZENxrkJK2lTecGORPS4nTFTyToj1RdwEmMdhe3QQvl2rgoCHvAOw5-02gBO04/s1600-h/rAiN+dAy!+026sm.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336892040012024770" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 323px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 183px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZv-5LrelXinF7HnpBRkesr9uoeS19-keQfSBFyAO2ri_h_5eZC3O5awPKwEcn0q95GiVCsUvE70KcHAZENxrkJK2lTecGORPS4nTFTyToj1RdwEmMdhe3QQvl2rgoCHvAOw5-02gBO04/s320/rAiN+dAy!+026sm.JPG" border="0" /></a>I can't believe how well we worked through that. Ann found a neighbor with a big truck who sat at the edge of the road until we could get the truck close enough for him to hook on. After that I used my truck to pull Todd and Eric's cars out. We all got out safe and sound with no injuries. All in all, it was a fun adventure.</p><p></p>
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7Xx6i9EyNa1-a23-Xa91RkuTmDbuSsT_Txel-TxVOVga9vc71Ed8eSS8_icne5TLI6zFQTeANp-mGf-3C4ZJ_QX6OIKdYUnzdADUzsz86gz2BZfHHFPB7NZjL91qxv-gBnoXO4_WeIA/s1600-h/May+2009+Mud+party+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336893965893492290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7Xx6i9EyNa1-a23-Xa91RkuTmDbuSsT_Txel-TxVOVga9vc71Ed8eSS8_icne5TLI6zFQTeANp-mGf-3C4ZJ_QX6OIKdYUnzdADUzsz86gz2BZfHHFPB7NZjL91qxv-gBnoXO4_WeIA/s320/May+2009+Mud+party+002.jpg" border="0" /></a></p></div>Vamtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07484252807676103187noreply@blogger.com1