2007
When the barge started listing to one
side (for the second time), we decided to perform another "Sinking Barge
Extraction". This time, we wanted to put the barge on the trailer so we could
bring it back to the shop for refurbishment.
First, we had to relocate all of the 'stuff'
that the trailer was keeping off the ground.
Next, we had to replace two very flat and
deformed tires. Luckily, they were on opposite sides - and we had two spares
that held air!
Next, we sank the trailer while Bob rowed the
tilted barge across the lake to the grassy boat ramp.
The plan was to slide the barge right up onto
the bed of the trailer. But then again, there is that well known adage about
'The best laid plans of mice and men...'.
After getting the barge up as far as we could
(which wasn't nearly far enough), we tried to haul it up the ramp. After
digging four holes with slipping tires, we came to the conclusion that grass
and mud don't really provide a lot of traction (bright, aren't we).
After returning from an appointment later in
the day, we thought that 'two jeep power' might just do the trick.
After making significant progress up the ramp
(four feet) before all eight tire began digging in, we had to resort to 'The
Third Plan'.
After firmly planting the backhoe on the slope
(exciting with no brakes), Jym hauled Ann (driving), the jeep, the trailer, and
the barge up the ramp one arms length at a time.
The traction problem becomes obvious. The two
ton barge (no longer floating) is so far behind the trailer's axles that it is
lifting the rear of the jeep off the ground.
Not to be deterred, we just kept to the plan
(we didn't have a fourth one), and slowly inched up the ramp.
After a look at the situation and a brief
conference with the driver, we voted to continue (the other choice was to
abandon everything where they sat).
Finally, after about six pulls with the backhoe
arm, we were at the top of the ramp and could just drive forward with the
tractor while Ann displayed her stunt driving ability.
While Jym jockeyed around, pushing and coercing
the barge into position, the trailer's hitch and the jeep's receiver held fast
- shudder to think of the alternative.
With a final lift and shove to center the barge
on the trailer, the rear of the jeep returned to earth.
After all the plan changes, pushing and shoving
with heavy equipment, and vehicular aerobatics, Jym sedately drives off into
the sunset (actually, to the shop) while Ann drives the backhoe home. All in a
day's work at the farm - no big deal!
2006
One of our normal summer tasks is to chop
up all the downed oaks that expired over the winter. This serves two purposes -
first, it gets rid of the fire hazard of drying twigs and leaves, and second,
it provides the means of warmth for the coming winter.
First, we have to shorten the long branches and
trunks.
Next involves collecting all the little piles
strewn where they fell and depositing them into 'drying' stacks.
This stack will sit all summer and fall losing
water until it's ready to give up their BTUs for our comfort throughout the
winter.
2005
This year, the Dam Inspector decided to
come early, so we had to spend almost two weeks of intensive work clearing the
faces and the area below the dam.
After Ann had cleared most of the front face,
Jym tackles the steep parts.
Jym is practicing for the 'Cattail Underhand
Toss' event for the next Olympics.
After she decimated the front face, Ann works
on the back of the Dam.
After stumbling, sliding and falling down the
back face, Jym gets closer to the end.
Attacking the last patch.
The dam inspector continues to be happy with
our diligent efforts to present a well maintained earthen dam.
2005
Unfortunately, the Island Goose's eggs
succumbed to malicious critters, so the pump house goose was
smarter.
The first goslings to appear (on Jym's
Birthday).
All six obviously took the first step off the
pump house roof, and made it to the lake.
Given a few months, the little ones became big
ones.
2005
After we had worked on the island, and
when the lake finally refilled completely in early winter, we were able to
enjoy the fruit of our labors. We frequently rowed out for lunches and quiet
relaxing time-outs. Apparently a resident Canada Goose thought we did a good
job too, and chose a spot behind one of the big rocks to nest. As long as we
aren't too boisterous with our lunch, she doesn't seem to mind our
presence.
After dropping me on the shore, Ann heads back
to the island on our 'slow boat to China'.
Pulling into the 'dock' on the side of the
island, a pair Canada Geese monitors her progress.
Now that we're here, we get to enjoy our little
slice of heaven.
And nestled in among the boulders at the edge
of the island, one of our resident geese has staked out a patch of dirt as her
own.
On her dinner break, we got a chance to see
what she's been sitting on.
Another resident chose a site that was a bit
safer (at least in her view). We just wonder what her six offspring will think
about that first step.
2005
While the lake wasn't a lake anymore
(since we had purposely drained it to repair the gate valve), we decided to
refurbish the small island that has been growing wild for at least 15 years. In
the past few years, beavers have wreaked havoc on the willows growing around
the perimeter of the island.
After draining the lake at the beginning of the
year, by the end of the summer the bottom had dried enough to drive on it
without sinking up to the axles in mud. The small island was now just a small
hill that we could get to easily from the far side.
After clearing an access road to the top, we
started brushing out the smaller bushes and weeds.
When Michael and Gayle came to visit, they were
also put to work (menial and supervisor) clearing willow stumps that the
beavers had left.
It took quite a while to chop up the felled
willows into pieces that we could feed to the chipper.
Some horizontally oriented trees were so
entangled in the brush that they had to be forcibly persuaded to join its
fellows in the chipper.
After we had gotten most of the 'hill' cleared
to our satisfaction, it finally rained (heavily) and the lake level started
rising to the point where it was again an island.