Posts Tagged ‘Wintervale’
Meditative Burning
It rained Sunday night, but that didn’t stop me from reigniting the brush pile yesterday afternoon. It is a fascinating exercise to witness the ebb and flow of fire energy, as it slowly, but surely consumes tree root bundles. You can’t leave it untended, if you want to make constant progress. There is just too much moisture stored in the roots, and they don’t really want to burn. You need to keep feeding the fire wood that is dry enough to burn well, and stoke those coals to keep them glowing red-hot.
Still, the fire will tend to grow calm, as the burn consumes the immediately available fuel. It is mesmerizing. Then, a simple adjustment of the pile, by poking around in the coals, followed by the addition of some new wood, brings a rush of sound and fury. It is energizing.
I completely understand why someone I know explained that her husband took a picture of her when she was lured out to tend their brush pile burn, while still in her bathrobe. The task has that addicting allure.
Last night, I had a tough choice: the addiction of the fire, or the addiction of the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament championship game.
The brush pile will still be here today. The game won out last night.
Disappearing Day
Maybe this can be attributed to the old saying, “time flies when you’re having fun,” but it seemed like yesterday did more than fly. It just plain disappeared.
In all fairness, we did get a bit of a late start. We enjoyed a leisurely beginning to our day, and then dove into chores to prepare for a late brunch with our children and their significant others. As the noon hour came and went, Cyndie and I stepped out to putter on some outdoor chores while we waited for the kids.
We made our way down to the barn, where we started the process of clearing the eagle statue and the rocks used for landscaping, from the area to the right of the door. We will be creating space to drive the tractor around the back side of the barn, and that is going to involve removing some dirt. Before we can move the dirt, we have to get the rocks out of the way.
We barely got started on the project, when kids arrived. After a brief tour to show off the fence progress, we headed inside to prepare the feast for serving. It was a classic “Cyndie brunch,” with her homemade waffles, and oodles of fruit. When the meal was done, we didn’t even clear the table, but retired directly to the comfortable seating by the fireplace, to visit.
With the afternoon sun showing dominance over the thin clouds, we were lured back outdoors, where we explored for something to do. I decided to see if we could get any of the branches in one of our brush piles to ignite, with the hope of picking up where we left off last fall, burning them.
The process of burning brush can be real mesmerizing. We made it a challenge to start the fires without any paper or accelerant, which I’m sure occupied much more time than any of us realized. Once we achieved a spot with some good coals, it became a process of finding the driest stumps and root balls to pile on top of the flames.
It seemed like just a short time, but when we finally dragged ourselves away from the fun, and back up to the house, it was almost 7 p.m.! Holy cow! Where did that day go?
The tough thing about this experience is, we can now see so many outdoor springtime tasks already deserving attention, the phenomenon of amazing disappearing days is going to become an all too common reality for us.
It’s like magic! Luckily, we like magical things.
Wanna watch us make a day disappear?
More Posts
Monday is the weekday I don’t drive to the day-job, with my 4-day work week, and yesterday provided me the opportunity to witness the process of fence posts installation. I discovered there is a lot more to the task than just digging a hole and dropping a post down into it.
I am very grateful to see the crew we hired are very particular about getting the posts precise, to assure we end up with not just a functional fence, but one that will look good, too.
With each post, they have to watch multiple things, simultaneously: first, that it is the right distance from the previous post, but then also that it’s set to the right depth, level in two directions, square to the line which the cross-boards will run, and ultimately, in line with the rest of the posts.
When they finally achieve all of those parameters, they need to back-fill the hole, packing the dirt tight as they go, without allowing the post to move out of position. When you are setting a lot of posts in a line, one bad one can really stand out of the bunch. They have to repeat this series of steps over and over, with sustained vigilance to meet each goal, for every post. I think it’s pretty impressive.
They also agreed to create a radius, which I didn’t think they wanted to do, so the fence by the new driveway will follow the arc of the loop.
While that work was happening, we received one more truckload of sand for the driveway, and then the trusses for the hay shed. The dump truck driver informed us it would be the last load for now, as he discovered the route has been posted with road restrictions for reduced weight limits, due to the spring thaw. That restriction will likely last into May. We got close, but we were intending to put at least one more load than was delivered yesterday. Luckily, we have the fill we need for work on the shed to commence.
Here is a wide shot that shows how the fence line will arc with the driveway, and where the hay shed will be located beside the driveway loop:
New Level
It is amazing how quickly we are able to adjust our perspective about things, when given the “opportunity.” When I turned into my driveway after the long drive home from work yesterday, I immediately had my definition of asphalt damage dramatically re-framed.
All winter long, I have been fretting over the scrapes and marks I have been making on the driveway, as a result of my crash-course in plowing technique this year. Then, on Wednesday, the first truckloads of dirt for our new loop created some cracks, and damaged an edge.
Yesterday’s truckloads made all the other minor damage a moot point.
Suddenly, all my previous concern over the driveway seems like much ado about nothing.
So, now it’s got a real bad spot. So what. We’ll deal with it. My previous obsessing over the condition of the pavement has been adjusted to a whole new level.
Meanwhile, the fill for the area where the hay shed will go is starting to take shape. Day 3 was again cut short by the afternoon melt. The project will proceed in half-day increments.
Progress Interrupted
Despite our interest and energy to get this fencing project going full-tilt, the elements continue to hinder progress. We have gone from the problem of having too much snow in the way, to having too much snow melting all at once.
We were able to get a good start in the morning yesterday, while things were frozen solid from the overnight temperatures. The first two loads of fill arrived and the truck slipped, slid, and spun wheels to successfully empty them. The skid loader was used to spread the dirt out, between deliveries, which provided increasingly better traction for the truck on each subsequent pass.
Unfortunately, by late morning, the melting snow was creating streams of running water, and the new dirt was quickly transforming into a mucky soup. We only got 3 loads delivered. Work stopped at lunch, and will resume again this morning, for as long as the overnight freeze lasts.
I filled in the idle time with some trimming of tree limbs and then sweeping dirt and mud off the driveway. That dump truck was a lot more abusive to our asphalt driveway than anything I did this winter, plowing snow with the tractor. Where the tires rolled off the pavement, they broke it up pretty bad along the edge, and then created significant ruts in the soft, wet turf. I was able to stomp the turf back down a bit, but there isn’t anything I can do for the broken asphalt.
I’m not able to be home today, to oversee the operation, so I will be anxious to see, at the end of the day, if a second day of this activity will cause even more damage. I won’t be too surprised if it does. We are accepting it as a price we have to pay for trying to get this done at this time of year.
We are just happy to have this progress happening, even if it is something of a stunted progress.
At Least
It’s not really all that much progress to boast about, but at the very least, the wood has finally been unloaded from the trailer. The major effort put forth yesterday involved moving snow out of the way, in the areas where work will occur in the days ahead.
Today we are anticipating delivery of several truck loads of gravel, which will get distributed and packed in construction of our expanded driveway to the barn. At this point, any progress it thrilling, but this step will significantly define the fence line for the first paddock, which is a really big deal. Already, as I was walking around after I got home from work, I was better able to visualize the area that will soon be fenced. It is energizing.
Actually, just walking around on the land that we now own is pretty energizing. Since we don’t have any horses yet, we haven’t been spending much time down around the barn. As I explored the area where they had cleared away the snow, I experienced a sense of how much this will change with the arrival of horses. This space will become the center of attention.
I discovered that the snow that slides off the “uphill” side of the barn roof, and piles up against the wall, eventually leads to water leaking into the barn there. Next winter, when we will be spending time in the barn every day, I will be managing the snow more regularly, and will take steps to keep it from piling up to this same degree.
We have learned a fair number of things about our new property this winter, but I’m not sure it has been all that helpful toward helping us prepare details for when we get horses. I think the best way to do that will be by actually having horses. I expect we will quickly discover what works and what doesn’t. Then, as with all things, we will simply adjust accordingly.
I’m told that we could see fence posts installed by Thursday or Friday. Yahoo!
Practicing Action
It is no surprise to me that our recent period of stasis is arousing urges, in both Cyndie and me, for renewed action toward the pursuit of our dreams for Wintervale. It seems like we have come a long way from that life we had in the suburbs not so long ago. We have gotten too far to turn back now. Moments like this are opportunities to push on toward fulfilling the potential that our long term dream might hold.
Yesterday, when Cyndie got home from work, we quickly discovered we were having some of the very same feelings. Lately, we have been doing a lot of talking about things we are thinking about doing, but neither of us has taken any action toward actually getting anything to happen. I attribute part of it to the fact that the weather has been putting the fence project on hold for months.
Last night, we finally made a decision, and then purchased a ticket to fly me down to Arizona to participate in her last session of equine assisted leadership training. We also did some fresh research, and came another step closer to getting her car listed for sale.
Today, the fencing contractor is scheduled to get back to work on our project here, and Cyndie is going to be able to come home early to supervise. I am now planning to take Wednesday off to be here for the expansion of the driveway loop in front of the barn.
We are rallying to act on the energy that seems to have hit both of us at the same time, in hopes of maintaining progress in a positive direction. We aim to avoid a trap that is easy to fall into, given a little inattention; one I find is way too easy for me to be comfortable with: living in general acceptance of the situation that surrounds you, however stagnant or messy it becomes.
Cyndie is pondering new ways to put her knowledge about leadership into more effective practice. We are both looking to bolster our methods of collaboration. We are practicing taking action.
Spring Arrives
It seems fitting to follow that series about winter survival training with a picture of what spring looks like around here this year. Yes, the calendar shows today to be the first day of spring, but winter has not released its grip, and the temperatures in this region are down in the single digits this morning. The trailer load of wood for our paddock fencing is still stuck where they parked it back in January, once again, covered with snow.
I saw a note indicating that 8 of the last 10 Mondays have involved accumulations of snow or sleet that disrupted the morning traffic in our metro area. It turns out, I picked a good day not to drive to work this year, having chosen Mondays as my day off for the 4-day work week.
Many people are contrasting all these snow events with the weather we had last year at this time, when it hit 80°. I’m having problems remembering that.
The snow we received two days ago was followed by significant wind. I did a rather cursory job of plowing, knowing that there would be a fair amount of drifting that would need to be cleaned up eventually. I figured I would do it yesterday when I got home from work, but it was still blowing, and the windchill wouldn’t have been very fun to work in, so I saved it for later today.
I’m hoping that today, it being spring and all, the afternoon will be much more hospitable for being exposed out on the tractor.
Post Storm
As soon as I got home from work yesterday, I jumped on the tractor to clear the snow from in front of the barn, and around the new loop we have planned. I still haven’t figured out a system I like for plowing that area. It is kind of a quick drop down from the asphalt, and working up to the barn doors limits what can be done. It is also currently made more complicated because of the trailer of fence wood that is still parked there.
I’m not entirely pleased with my results, but I think it will be sufficient. Daytime temperatures will be well above freezing in the coming days, and that will melt much of what I missed.
After a quick bite to eat, I headed back into the woods on my skis. I would be very pleased with myself if I were able to make skiing a daily exercise, but I doubt that will happen. This late in the year isn’t the best time to start a goal like that, anyway. Already, after just 1 day, I recognized very noticeable change in the snow, both out in the open where it is exposed to a lot of sun, and in the woods.
It changes so quick that it makes the beauty and splendor of that just-after snowfall scenery extra special. The slightest breeze, or a clear sunny day, will dry up those tree branches in a blink. It will look like it never even snowed.
I tried packing additional length of trail, but I started just after sunset, and it became increasingly difficult to see as the light grew dim, so I’m not too sure how well I did. It got me to thinking, though, that I should search online to see if there are any suggestions for a way to groom a ski trail using human power. Trying to pack it with skis is just too inefficient.
I always like it when the search box pops up hints that match what you enter, taken from the history of search terms. I started by entering “human powered trail…” and it had one for trail groomers! The internet is a great thing.
There were several styles, but I am particularly intrigued by this one: HPTG. Seems like they’ve thought of everything.
I believe I will be saving up to get me one of those for next year. I have a feeling I am going to enjoy working on making a groomed trail even more than I will skiing on it.
Beautiful Storm
First off, let’s just look at a ‘before’ and ‘after’ view, comparing that shot from Sunday with one I took yesterday afternoon. What a difference a couple of days can make.
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It snowed most of the day yesterday, and I wanted to wait until it stopped before plowing, so that meant I was able to go out and play! First, I hiked on snowshoes for a lap around the entire 20 acres. When I got out to the road, I discovered our mailbox had been knocked off its post by the snowplow. It would take some tools to fix, so for the time being, I laid it sideways on the post, and kept on snowshoeing.
I took a picture of the back of the house, because the snow drifting over the eaves looked cool, and I realized we don’t take many pictures from that vantage point.
While in the woods, I packed down a portion of the trail, with thoughts about the possibility of trying some skiing. I hadn’t gotten around to doing that yet this winter, and the days when that will still be possible are numbered. I was pretty worn out by the time I made it back to the house, but the conditions were so perfect, I decided to get out the skis.
Mind you, I haven’t been on them for a very long time, and I still haven’t quite mastered the art of skate-skiing, so this was a pretty significant undertaking. I’m sure I could have done better if I hadn’t been fatigued, but it was a lot of fun, and I worked to pack down a little more trail with each pass back and forth that I accomplished.
By about 2:30 p.m., the snow had tapered off, and I wanted to get the plowing done before dark, so I ended the ski experiment, before I incapacitated myself with exhaustion. The skiing worked really well, and I’m hoping to get right back out there soon, to make the best of it while it lasts. There’s still plenty more trail yet to be groomed, and I’d like to see how I perform when I am not already worn out.
The plowing turned out to be quite a challenge, because of the amount of snow (I’m guessing 11 inches) and the fact the temperature was warm enough to make it a bit sticky. I wasn’t very successful using the back blade, so I mostly resorted to the bucket. There’s a lot more monkeying around to maneuver to where I can empty the bucket when it gets too overloaded, and I can no longer push it in front of me.
I want to report to my siblings, I was thrown back to wintertime at the old Intervale farm, after I was finished plowing, because I had created giant piled-up snow mounds in a few spots. I visualized my 6-year-old self standing on top of the mountain of snow at the end of that driveway, back in the day.
They must have used a lot bigger tractor than the one I have, though. (Did Dad do that plowing, or someone else?)
Today, it’s back to the day-job for me. No playin’ in the snow till evening. Maybe I’ll do some night skiing in place of my half-hour walk.
Relative Something 