Ascent

A big smooth tree root and slippery leaves
made this part of the trail a little tricky.

Weekends

We have spent two nice weekends lately in the timber and Himself has yet to write a word -- so guess I will have to write to break the silence.

This past weekend when Son #1 came to visit with Gabby, Joe and "T", the bridge really got tested and admired. Himself finished up the last bits on the bridge with a little help, finished screwing down all the planks and put 2X4's on the edge to keep the planks from curling and cupping. Then he took the chain saw on up the trail and widened it so that the 4-wheeler will squeeze through. There is some rough terrain on this trail. Craig tried it out and got hung up on the ascent from the gully. That will happen only once, I bet, but I think we may have to build some "steps" up this hill or cut some notches in the tree root so as to provide better traction. Better safe than sorry.

We have had a beautiful November, until today. Last Friday, I think it was, the temps were in the 70s and all weekend the day time highs were 60, at least.

In addition to finishing the bridge, we put another bundle of insulation in the cabin, I drilled the last hole in my wooden sled (now I just need to remember to get some heavy duty chain, with which to pull it) and Himself took out more nuisance trees. He also worked on moving the trail back off the pond but when we tried it out, we discovered there is one more tree will have to go.

We are preparing ourselves for fewer visits, what with winter weather likely (and predicted) to set in but I have reminded Himself that we have been there on New Year's Day before. All we need is a nice weekend with milder weather, and we'll be down for a visit.

Maybe it will take getting homesick for the timber, to get Himself in gear to write again.

Himself's Bridge I

In process

Himself, working on the bridge floor.

It is wild turkey season and there were gunshots all around, some way too close! Otherwise, Himself would probably never wear this bright sweatshirt -- but a very good idea this time of year.

Cabin Comfort

Check another project off the list; the 4 post cedar bed is done! We went down on Saturday and Himself immediately disappeared down the new trail to work on his bridge. He left me behind at the cabin to put up a bundle of insulation and whatever else I found to do.

I enjoyed unrolling the fiberglass insulation and smoothing it down between the wall studs. We can get just one bundle of insulation into the jeep so it didn't take too long to cut each piece and staple it between the studs on the the north(erly) and west(erly) walls. (The cabin sets gee-jawed on the property.)

After finishing the insulation and checking on Himself's progress at the bridge, I cut and fitted a bed skirt, designed to hide all the storage boxes and tools that are now stowed out of sight, under the bed. I finished the whole thing off with a quilt the children gifted me with a few years ago. Now, doesn't that look warm and inviting? We like it!

And I had a good night's sleep. Himself enjoyed a few hours snuggled up in the bed but due to someone's duty shirking (a story for another day) he was up at 11:30 p.m. and again at 3:00 a.m. to stoke the fire. I bestirred myself at 5:00 a.m. to throw on a log but, of course, Himself couldn't sleep through that so we were up for the day!

All Saturday afternoon and evening, I puttered around our little cabin. I put back all the wall "accessories" that I had taken down so as to insulate. I rearranged furniture, washed windows and swept hundred of Japanese beetles out (again!). I imagine I was just like thousands of pioneer women of years past who took their one room cabin, prettied it up with whatever bits and pieces they could find or spare and took pride in their comfort.

You'all come down now, and visit! Ya hear?

A new beginning

Himself in the ravine where the bridge will be.
I hope he doesn't put rails on it!

THE NEW BRIDGE-10/28/2006

We have just arrived at III after 6 days of vacation at Galena, Il. I now have 3 days in which to try and get a project done, or at least started. At least the weather is good. I started by beginning a new path which would lead me to a ravine. This is where I will start planning my bridge. After measuring, planning, thinking, etc, I figured out the materials I would need. This bridge would have to be strong, as it will be designed for 4-wheelers. So, the list is made, and Herself has a list of materials for finishing her cedar post bed, so we hook up my new "toy", the trailer, and head for Girdners in Mercer. They had everything we needed, so packed up and headed for II for the nite. The next morning, we headed back to III. Craig and kids had called and said they were at III, so when we got there, the kids and herself went to the shack while I unloaded my bridge materials by the path to the bridge. Craig and I hauled cement and 4 X 4 posts to the bridge location. I dug the holes for the posts and Craig helped level and plum. As Craig and kids had to leave, and since the posts needed to sit overnite, I decided to help herself finish her bed project. We finished that and put insulation on the walls behind the bed as we knew we wouldn't be able to later. The bed is finished and it is sturdy. Herself put many hours into this project and should be proud of it. I am.
Sunday: 10/29/2006 Herself and I went to the bridge location to see what we could get done. We fastened 2 X 8's to the posts and secured them with bolts. We then laid the flooring down, but were unable to secure them at this time as the battery for the drill was running down. Next time we will finish my project. I will need to build a railing for the bridge, and it will be done.
This has been a great summer with time being spent at II and III. It seems like everytime we go to either place, a new project comes to mind, and sooner or later reality. But I think thats what keeps us going, staying in shape, keeping active, and having fun doing it.
All for now
Himself

New Trail

Craig is trying out the new trail. It was a fine day and the timber was beautiful with the sun coming through the leaves.

Photo of Light and Shadow

This photo of light and shadow was taken on October 8th. It was a beautiful fall weekend and Himself and I worked hard, ate well and slept like logs. Fresh air and exercise are excellent tonics.

We will not get back to III until the 26th or 27th. I know Himself thinks that is WAY too long and would spend our entire 9-day vacation here but I have a need to visit my children, see new places and do new things -- and he keeps his promise.

When I look at the pictures and think about the beauty of the property, about the projects I have in mind and the trails to build, I am homesick for III too.

Harvest Moon at III

October Weekend

Himself and I spent most of the weekend at III. The cool nights were bright with the glow of the full Harvest moon. The days were warm and sunny – and much shorter. Darkness falls early.

The trees have started the business of losing their chlorophyll (something came up this weekend and we read up on the subject or I wouldn't even have been able to spell chlorophyll let alone talk about it). In other words, the trees are starting to change to yellow, red and orange. Some won't turn pretty, of course, but will just slowly fade away to brown. Some, like the oaks, will hang on to their leaves as long as they can and others, such as the fickle walnut, give them up early and willingly.

We spent most of our working time this weekend picking up left over brush piles and fallen limbs along the drive and around the perimeter of the clearing. Previous owners had cut the timber to make the drive and left the trees where they were dropped. Himself pulled the trailer down the drive while I walked beside. We both kicked out and scooped up the bigger branches, limbs and trees and threw them on the trailer. Himself made several trips down to the clearing to throw them on the fire ring and burn them. He will use the new brush cutter to keep the small trees down and hold the timber at bay.

After our evening meal, we tried to sit and enjoy the view but we kept finding ourselves up and working. I meandered over to the dam to look and ended up piling up branches and dead wood. Himself walked up the drive and did the same. The sticks and limbs later made for a good campfire and we watched as the Harvest Moon (before we could even see it through the trees) magically lit up the pond, the trees and eventually the whole clearing. It was a sight to behold. A magical, moon-lit night.

In two weeks, we will head east for a week’s vacation. I know that Himself would spend the entire week’s time at III. He wishes for that. When we bought the property at III, I made him promise that we would take other trips, go other places -- and he has kept his word. So, we will go to Galena, to Wisconsin and explore old Mississippi river towns. We will visit our dear daughter in Champaign. Then, we will turn west and Himself will beat it back to Missouri, to III, and he will be at peace . . . the other side

Project Done

This is my version of the drogue, or sled. Had I done my homework, I would have found a log with straight grain. This log, maybe Ash, wasn't and when I split it, we almost went clear around. So one runner runs on bark and the other on the split side. But it is kind of cute and the front came out as it should (turned up so as not to catch when it is pulled) and it if the Mule won't pull it, I'll just decorate it for the Season. I also learned a bit about chiseling. The front brace and back supports had to be chiseled smaller to be set securely into the log.

Here, the sled is adorned with colorful oak leaves.

Biker Babe

A visitor to III in July, this wild woman rode the trails with me. She's a nature person and I think she loved the place as much as Himself and I do. She'll be back in the spring, I hope, to teach me about morel mushrooms.

Smile, Vi! I bet you didn't think you'd see yourself here!

Chore for Himself

A large, dead tree fell across the River Trail and Himself took the chain saw down and cut his way through. Now we can, again, ride the 4-wheeler on the trail.

Himself thinks that limbs and trees always (and only) fall on the trails. He's probably right.

When the sled / drogue is done, we'll pull it down to the river, cut the wood to length and pull it back to the cabin.

Log Splitter

Young Abe Lincoln the rail-splitter in 1830 as he chops out center of a split log that did not break clean.

Fall Folly

The timber along the drive into III is showing changes in color and the canopy is lighter. The cool nights and brisk mornings testify that fall is here. Although the weather predictions had put us off a bit, most of last Saturday and Sunday were sunny, warm and just right for burning brush, mowing or splitting logs.

Sometimes I get an idea in my head and it just won’t quit. I’ll think and study on something and that idea just plain gets stuck!

Himself tried to derail me from this latest project. He suggested other ways and easier methods but I had thought to build a wooden sled and when I found a drawing and vague directions in my handy dandy paperback Handy Farm Devices and how to make them book, I made up my mind.

First! my book instructed, find a tree and cut it down, as it is easier to saw green. So, I ambled up the drive shopping for a tree, Himself reluctantly following with the chain saw. After discussing two or three trees (we needed one with a natural bend in it) we finally found a likely candidate close to the drive and room enough for Himself to drop it. It would have to come down eventually anyway. It was only 8 or 10” through but it didn’t need to be too big and soon it was down. One 8’ section cut out for me and the rest was soon made into firewood and the limbs cleaned up.

We didn’t have a saw for this job so against Himself’s better judgment and dire predictions, I got an axe, a hatchet and two metal wedges. Starting at the larger end, I worked and worked at making the first split. After probably an hour of pounding, cutting, self-doubt and thoughts of conceding, I got the first split in far enough that I knew, finally! I could do this. Wasn’t going to be easy -- but it was possible.

I know that Himself, checking in on my progress periodically, thought many a time to himself that he was going to be able to say, “I told you so”. I know many a time I told myself, he’s not going to be able to say that!

As it split, that log talked to me. When it first “spoke”, I stopped and turned my head to hear the droning insect or find the airplane overhead. I didn’t know a splitting log would talk! I can’t describe that sound. I made Himself come and listen and he heard it too and after hours of pounding steel against steel, stopping to do other chores and resting between, that little ol’ log split -- talking all the way and practically spitting when I made the final swing!

I was so weary from swinging the axe and had cuts on the palms of hands from the steel wedges, that I wasn’t sure I could finish the job. I was afraid I might have to wait until the next trip down. However, grit and determination – and dread of hearing “I told you so” – took over and after another hour or two of finishing, cutting the wood fibers where they hung on for dear life, I finally had two 6 or 7’ half logs. Runners for the sled. Then I dragged, drug, drogue to the porch and fell into my rocking chair . . .

Drag, Drug, Drogue

The split log will be the runners of the sled. Himself will help with the next step of cutting heavy, old oak planks into four foot lengths. I have drilled holes in the logs and shaped the ends of a stout oak pole to use as the front brace. Don't even imagine that our sled will be this neat and pretty -- just don't.


I could not find the word “drogue” used to describe a wooden sled in the internet except in the book, Handy Farm Devices and how to make them . The book was copy writed in 1910. You wouldn’t think the word would have fallen from the English language so soon. One meaning found in an on-line dictionary: “Perhaps alteration of “drag”, “drug”. the other side

NEW TOYS AT III-SEPT 28, 2006

Well, I finally got to try out my new 44inch trail cutter. It is supposed to cut down any tree that I can drive the 4-wheeler over, so I was anxious to put it to the test. As we had plenty of areas that were starting to be taken over by small oaks and cedars, I decided thats where I would start. I was very careful at first, going very slow so I wouldn't ruin the mower, but when I seen how easily it cut down the small trees, I let her go to town. It has cut trees up to 2 1/2 inches in diameter without even slowing the engine. Once the trees are mowed down, the cleared areas will become meadows, growing only prairie grass and possibly wild flowers.
I have taken dad's old snapper back to II and brought my "special" big mower back to III to try to shorten my mowing time.
I have really made a huge dent in the stumps. I have found a way to get rid of them with hardly any effort on my part. I take the axe, whack the stumps a few times, cover the stumps with charcoal, and light it. The stumps just smoulder away. Of course this only works if the stumps are more than a year old.
Herself is keeping busy with a new project: a sled to haul firewood with. This is what is really great about III. Herself does what she wants, and I do what I want. And we are both willing to help the other if the need arises. We are a team. And a damm good one at that.
The season is rapidly coming to a close. We will have to start preparing for winter. getting mower engines prepped, batteries removed and charged, etc. We are hoping for a late fall as we still have trails to blaze. When we ride the old trails, I still marvel at how we were able to plow through the timber and not get lost. Eventually I hope to get the trails wide enough to get the trail cutter through, as I am sure I have done the Snapper no good by using it to clear the trails.
This is our second season at III and we have accomplished so much, especially clearing the land.
Next season, we will have a couple of major projects. Finish the cedar post bed, and build a storage building. It will keep us busy, as usual.
All for this time.
Himself

September Visit -- Finally!

After bad weather and good family events (or something like that) had kept him away for several weeks, Himself found time to pull his new toys down to III. He had purchased the brush cutter about a month ago and had the new "toy" trailer at least a week before he could get away to Missouri. It took considerable restraint on his part, I think, not to run off south on his own and make an opportunity to try them out.

Finally, this past week, we took a couple of days of vacation and two little bairns and headed down. I and the Little Hofs stayed at Too most of the time as electricity, running water and television come in handy with the "wee" generation but Himself spent considerable time at the ranch. He mowed the lane and the clearing conventionally, hauled the Snapper to Too, hauled the "big" mower to III, did end-of-summer maintenance on all then assembled his new brush cutter, made the adjustments and went to work. I wasn't there to record the event with pen and camera so had to rely on Himself to report that it works great! He tried it out down the lane, pushing the brush back to the timber again and did the same in the clearing. (Beats having to cut each 2-inch tree with the loppers!) I think having the bigger mower there and this brush cutter will do one of two things. It will shorten his mowing time or he will be mowing 30 acres. I guess time will tell.

Meanwhile, I will have to put the Cedar Post bed project on hold as I need to make an old-fashioned sled to pull behind the Mule (wooden runners with oak planks for the bed). There are dead trees down across the river trail and Himself plans to cut the trees for fire wood. He would like to haul the firewood up to the cabin. Our trailers are too wide to pull down the trail. So that Himself doesn't have to widen the trail, a sled is the perfect solution! I found half-hearted instructions on the 'net so I'm set! I'm ready to getter done. I can sleep on the floor another month or two . . . the other side

Lean, Mean Mowing Machine

The machine wasn't doing Himself much good, sitting at home in the garage.