The farmer is “sweetening” up the fields in preparation for the spring planting.
It’s That Time of Year 💩
Reply
Author Archives: Paul McDonald
Old Rag Mountain Hike
Nothing like a hike up Old Rag mountain to focus the mind! Haven’t done it in probably 4 years, but Patrick encouraged us and up we went. This was the first time for Patty, she was a little surprised when we got to the part where you have to pull yourself up through crevices and crawl through small openings. It was a great day to be outside with Patty and Patrick.
COVID note: We passed NUMEROUS crazy people that appeared to be wearing their mask full time in the middle of no where on the trail with no one anywhere near them. I find it sad that people believe it will help them or anyone else if no one is around! Hopefully years from now we can look back and laugh at that experience.
A few pictures from the hike.
Patty & Patrick 
AT Hiker Leads the way 
A well deserved rest at the first peak 
A little too close for Mom 
Mine Run Raging
Feels like its been raining for weeks!
Potash Time
Farm spread potash over the fields. Beast of a machine!
Fog & Rain
Nothing but sloggy, muddy walks with the hounds for what seems like days.
Snowy Day
Resident artist out for a snowy walk.
Ice Buildup
A serious ice buildup on the roof of the gray house, back side. Good thing there are no gutters!
First Significant Snow of 2021
First decent snow this year, Ace got the zoomies his first time out.
The Gray House Approaches Completion
In these past two weeks it all seemed to come together; the road, appliances, sidewalk, grading and final painting. Very happy with the red color Patty chose for the door, it really sets off the house.
Appliances are all in now, still more to do but we are VERY close. The three propane appliances; hot water heater, stove, dryer should be operational shortly. Now to get the grass planted…
Below are various views of the house, click the picture for a full size view.
Road is in. 
Love the door color. 
Sidewalk 
Parking over on the side 
Deck facing the woods 
Kitchen 
Utility closet 
Far corner is where the wood stove will go 
Stacked washer dryer 
Full bathroom, not ready for christening yet! 
Good size shower 
Full RV hookup 
Large parking pad
Here Comes the New Road to HQ2
Serious work began on the road to HQ2, this is all in preparation for the final loads of finished gravel/stone dust. The cement pad in the middle of the roadway is a ‘spillway’ for the large volume of water that flows out of the field on a heavy rain.
Digging out the spillway 
Dug down further than I realized they would 
Spill way form, 2″ drop from left to right 
Rebar and mesh reinforced 
Had the cement truck, might as well add sidewalks too! 
Getting the cement to the house required the scoop on the skid-steer and numerous trips 
Thats alot of cement 
Handprints? 
Sidewalk is a nice touch 
First ‘crusher run’ of gravel
