July 26, 2018

Our propane tank arrived yesterday and is snug in it's big hole! 

We will change out all of the heating system in the house to propane once it arrives - propane furnace, demand propane hot water, propane cook top and propane fireplace.  Will also have a heat pump installed for summer air conditioning.  Will drop a line to the shop to heat the "warm room" where the water treatment facility will be located, to keep it from freezing.  We will make it about 10x12 or so, and put the extra fridge and the chest freezer in there as well.  Can easily heat it with a small heater.   They can also drop a connection for the motor home so we can attach to it and have propane for heat in it during the winter, as we use it during that time and therefore don't winterize.    Will be nice once we get it in.  Mike can also add space heaters powered by propane in his shop as we get that area developed - will probably be the kind that hang from the rafters like you see in commercial buildings.

Contractor finished ditching out the water line this morning, so that is all ready for water system to be finished up. We can run water and power in the same ditch, and will run an extra power line down to where we want to put the flag pole and probably Christmas lights.  Got the final bid from the pump contractor for our piping our water up from the well today.  Had to take a few Valium and have a few stiff drinks after looking that one over!  But when we are all done, we will have a solid, dependable water system, for which we are thankful.

Heard from Avista (the power company) and they will schedule us in after August 7th to put in our power - easements all signed so that is ready to go.  Once the power is in, we will activate the water system.

Still waiting on the contractor for the shop - hope to start that soon - maybe next week?

As you can see from the pictures, things are starting to brown up now, but everyone here says it is still surprisingly green for late July.  Lower fields and upper meadow are still pretty green, but hillsides are starting to go brown now.  Temps have been in high 90's, Tuesday was cooler, but highs up to 100 predicted later this week.  Humidity is low (less than 20%) which really helps, as does the nice northeast wind that was blowing yesterday.  We have learned wind from the north/northeast is usually cooler, and southerly winds (called "fire winds") are hot and dry.

Got to run for now....

Glennis

July 25, 2018

Still making progress.  Power line easements are all done, so waiting to find out an install date.  Hopefully by early next week.

The contractor cut in our road access this morning and got driveway all compacted.  They are screening rock now for the underlayment, so almost done with the "dust bowl".  Hooray!  We look like West Virginia coal miners every time we drive up the road in the Kioti.  He also finished digging the trench for the water and power lines to go up the hill.  Water cistern hole is dug, so just waiting on the water contractor to send us final estimate and schedule a date for water install.  Will activate the pumps and set up temporary water supply as soon as power goes in. 

Called Century Link today and made arrangements (we think) to have phone line to the house site pre-wired.  Spoke to some guy in India (we think) so not sure what is showing up next Monday morning.  We explained several times there is no house currently, and we want the line laid up through the utility trench so it can be buried with everything else.  Can hardly wait to see what happens!

Heading west next Wednesday for a brief visit.  Queets/Clearwater Pioneer Reunion in Clearwater on Saturday and Beck family reunion in Quinault Friday and Saturday.  Grooming appointment for Baxter on thursday and for the two of us on Monday!  Then back home to hopefully start construction on the shop.

These are Mike's new best friends.  They are hysterical - they come running to see what he is doing .  every time he goes down to the field.  Their names are "C", "D" and "E"  (ear tag numbers).  2 are Jerseys and the other is a Guernsey.  Trying not to get too attached, as they are destined for sale.  But we do enjoy having them around. I start thinking maybe it would be fun to have a "pasture pet", but then I slap myself silly and remind myself what a pain in the rear cows are!

The other 4 black beef cows went back to their home range last Sunday, so we just have the 3 babies with us now.  They are like a little bee swarm - they go everywhere together in a little group.  

Getting back into being "country people"again.  Went and picked apricots yesterday, and canned 6 quarts and 4 pints this morning, with about another 6 quarts ripening.  Waiting for peaches to come on next, but missed the cherries, as they came on really early this year.  Can hardly wait for my own kitchen again.  This is what it will look like, except the cabinets will be cherry instead of oak and the appliances are stainless steel.  We will have a wonderful view of the creek and quaking aspen from the windows - so peaceful.  Won't mind doing dishes here at all!

Was HOT yesterday - 101! Thank God for air conditioning, is all I can say.  We are learning to keep "farmer hours" - up early, while it is still relatively cool, as it is much too hot after about 10 AM to be doing much work outside.  Fortunately, it cools down at night to the mid-60's.

Got to run - they are bringing the propane tank this morning to set in place.

Glennis

July 20, 2018 - Moose REALLY DO EXIST!!

Wow - Moose REALLY do exist!  Saw a big cow moose on my way into Colville yesterday morning.  She came out of the pine trees, saw the Sequoia, and ran right back into the trees before I could get a picture.  Very exciting, and she was beautiful (and huge!).  My goal has now been adjusted to get a picture of one!

Still making progress.  The "bump gate" came yesterday and Mike is busy getting it installed.  Will be nice to not have to get out and open and close the gate every time we go through.  For those of you planning a visit in the future, when the arms are closed, you can just push them with your car and go through the gate.  The arms are mounted on springs and will return to position.  The ends of the arms are fiberglass and won't scratch your vehicle.  Just make sure you don't make contact with the strings hanging down, or you will find out why the cows carefully avoid them!

Hole for water reservoir is dug, and path cleared down the hill - contractor just needs to dig in the ditch and then we can run water up to the house site.

Pad is all in and compacted for the shop - just waiting for the contractor to start.

Heard from the power company, and they expect to get easements finished up next week.  Should be 7 to 10 business days after easements are signed to get power installed.

Had a nice day today, much cooler, but another slate of hot (high 90's or more) weather coming next week.

All for now.

Glennis

Making Progress

July 18, 2018

We are making progress.  Got approval today from L&I for our power pedestal, so can move forward with getting power installed.  Talked to Avista (the power company here) and they are just waiting for a signature on a power line easement, and then can install the underground power line.

Got approval today from the local health district for our septic test holes, so as soon as we can design plans drawn, we can submit those for approval.  Will get the design drawn this week and submitted.

The base is down for the shop, and all compacted.  Just waiting for the contractor to finalize his bid and start construction!

All in all, a good week so far!

Hooray!

Mike and Glennis

July 16, 2018

Beautiful night last night.  The stars are so clear and so close here, as there is very little artificial lighting in the valley, and everything is so quiet.  Sat out and watched the moon set, and listened to the coyotes serenading us - blissful!

Contractors are working today on excavating for the shop foundation.  Also brought up sand for the bottom of the pit for the propane tank, which will be buried.  Waiting to hear on inspections for septic test holes and electrical pedestal installation, and then we can move forward with septic system and power installation.  Got the diagram from the water people for the hole for water cistern (will be installing a 1900 gallon tank for water pumped from the well), and will have them dig that as well.  Water is then run from the cistern through a treatment system for hard water and removal of minerals, etc, and then on to the house.

Making a trip to the "big city" (Spokane - approximately 90 miles away) to pick up some of the appliances, meet with the house builder, and look for lighting fixtures, glass shower doors, and other misc. items for the house.  We opted to not take the appliances that come with the house, as they are at the bottom range, and not what we wanted.  Same with lighting fixtures, etc.

As I type this, I'm watching the Momma and Poppa quail peck for food in the grass.  No babies with them, so their first brood must have fledged already, or they lost them all.  They should have another brood soon.

Mike is down filling the stock tank so the cows have water.  We are NOT raising beef - we are leasing our pasture to local people who raise beef.  We are exploring the capacity for a dug well that is on part of the property, so see how long it will produce water over the summer.  Water is a precious commodity here, and used carefully.  The dug well is ground water, our house water comes from a 400' drilled well.  We also have a seasonal creek on the other side of the ridge that has quaking aspens in it.  The contractor is confident we can find ground water there to use for irrigation around the house, as there is a large grove of aspens and they like to have their feet damp.  He will dig another well for us to see what kind of water we find there.  It should be more than adequate to use for irrigation of any gardening/landscaping we want to do.  Landscaping will be minimal, due to water and also fire.  Don't want vegetation close to the house in case of grass fires.  Also don't want a lot of garden to maintain.  Most of the property is pasture and natural vegetation, and we will keep it that way.  Will probably sell hay off the lower portion (where the stock well is) and then lease it for grazing next year.  Will also lease the ridge and small valley on the back side for grazing.  There is a natural spring near the seasonal creek that provides stock water on that side during the summer, so that works out well. Will fence off an acre around the house and shop to keep the cows out of that area.

Glennis

Great excitement:  Just saw the dump truck come in, which I think means they are putting down rock for the shop!  Hooray!  Once it is up we can move the motorhome up on the property!

Our next BIG adventure - new property and a house

July 14, 2018

Hello from sunny Colville!   By now you should have received our "change of address" post card, so I am scrambling to get this updated for you.

Lots has been happening.  We left Grays Harbor the week after Memorial Day, and made our way to our new home outside of Colville.  Actually, our "home" right now is parked in the driveway of our good friends, the Gallanger's, who have generously allowed us to stay there.  We have achieved lots since our arrival here:

• drilled a well to make sure we have water before purchasing property
• closed on our property
• searched out and found wonderful construction contractors, who have punched in our new driveway and cleared off our homesite.  Was a big job - they moved over 2,000 cubic yards from the top of the ridge to level things out for us.
• arranged for power to the site - almost 1,000 feet to the nearest pole!
• had test holes dug for the septic system
• installed the power pedestal for electrical
• found a contractor to help us build the shop
• ordered our new house - but delivery isn't until late October, so a little anxious about weather and getting it installed!al
• learned to be "ranchers", drive tractors, wrangle cows, etc, etc, etc.

All in all, it's been a busy few months.  But we are loving the peace and quiet in our little valley, and the warm weather.

Following are some pictures of our progress.  Hope you enjoy.   Now that I am caught up, I will be able to post updates/pictures regularly, to keep everyone informed.

Our new mailbox is installed - we're official!

Our 44th wedding anniversary gift to each other - an antique hay rake!

Baxter riding "shotgun" with Mike and Al

Instructor Al giving Mike tractor operation instructions

Mike and the mini-tractor

It's official - we are Stevens County property owners

Our quaking aspen meadow

...and more meadow

Farmer Mike installing a new gate

Moving in the heavy equipment....

The new driveway - looks steep, but no more than a 6% grade!

Side casting material on the roadway

Prepping for the cat work...

Made it around the corner!

Pushing for the top....

Almost there!

Side-casting sod

Great at working together!

The Kioti in action

Grade stake for the house.....

Breaking the fence for the new driveway...

Union meeting!

Grading for the house site...

House to the right, shop to the left

Cow stare down - the cows won!

Excavation for the buried propane tank

Colville traffic jam!

Baxter taking a dust bath!

The new power pedestal...

Mike mowing the "lower 40"...

Note the new driveway in the background up the hill

More cows - these are babies we brought in today.

We are doing grazing leases with adjacent or nearby farmers

Population 7, with 2 (or 3) on the way!

Temp was 92 today, with humidity down to 6%.  Now at 86 and 10%.  That's it for now - will keep you posted!