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!
How exciting! We are looking forward to seeing the progress on your new place. It sure is pretty there...pretty warm! Oh, and the scenery is lovely too!
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