Spring Trip 2018
Had another successful trip to the farm this Spring.
Here are a few trip accomplishments.
Sunday
Arrived at the farm around 2000. Fired up the car and opened up the house then headed into town for a few supplies.
Downloaded the trail camera pictures to the laptop and settled down for the night.
Here are some interesting pictures from the trail camera.
Monday
Took the storm window that was broken over the winter off the house and into town to get some new glass. It came off the house easily and I was happy about that.
The security light on the front of the house had burnt out sometime this winter. Found a replacement at the Home Depot and got that installed.
The wind is blowing like crazy today and it’s cold. Only 51 degrees outside at 1300 and I don’t think it’s going to get any warmer. With the wind blowing feels like 45 degrees.
Had Dinner with Dave and Liz and watched the NCAA men’s basketball championship game.
Tuesday
I wanted to purchase a handgun on this trip. I checked out the local gun shop and found out that they can’t sell handguns to out of state patrons. I won’t be able to purchase a handgun until I have a valid Oregon I.D. I could have the I.D. check done in Arizona and then have the gun sent to an FFL for pickup in Oregon.
The stove I purchased online from Home Depot was delivered today. It fit perfectly and I couldn’t be happier.
Wednesday
Worked in the yard today cleaning out the bed beside the garage and the stumps that the tulips are coming up in.
I wanted to get the garage door opener moved to the left-side door but the place I called was booked solid for the next month. When I come in the fall I'll set up an appointment to have the work done. The idea is to park on the left and use the right side for a small home workshop.
Thursday
Lazy day today due to all the rain outdoors and it wasn’t a burning day.
Got the wishing well put back together and reinforced today. I think it may be the last time I can put it back together. I'm looking for something different to install in the Fall.
Friday
Today was a burn day so I spent most of the day burning debris.
I put the wishing well back out in the yard today and weeded around the house.
I trimmed up the grape vines and cut down the small bush beside the house.
Saturday
Worked part of the day removing some of the bottom of the kitchen bedroom door and resetting the latch plate. After I put in the new flooring the door wouldn’t close anymore.
Picked up a newspaper box for Mom and installed that while I was there for dinner tonight.
I was having trouble with the old circular saw so I decided to get a new one. I’m sure glad I did and it works really well. I’m sure I’ll use it a lot working on different projects in the future.
Picked up material so I can add another outlet in the garage. The outlet is for the garage door opener when I have it moved to the left-hand door, in the fall.
Sunday-Monday
Got the chain saw out and running. Fresh bar oil and mixed gasoline. I removed what was left of the old apple tree by cutting it up into pieces and then splitting it into firewood.
Here are a couple of pictures of birds at the farm. They seem to like those stumps.
Checked the fluids in the car they were all OK. The front two tires need about 10lbs of air each and the battery has a sticker on it that says Oct 2010. I’m going to need a new battery one of these days.
Tuesday
Just worked around the yard again today.
Wednesday
I finally got the gas weed eater working today. I emptied the old gas and purchased some ethanol. That seems to do the trick and the weed eater kept running for most of the time I used it. I trimmed around the driveway and walkway around the garage. I dug out the vegetation growing in the cracks of the asphalt in hopes of cleaning out all the dirt/mud with a hose and then pouring some crack sealing material in when it dries out.
I also trimmed inside and around the chicken coop.
I purchased a blower tool and it works great. It’s much easier to blow the driveway and around the house than it is to use water.
Thursday
The tree guy stopped by this morning and gave me an estimate to drop 5 of the leaning trees in the back pasture. He will be back tomorrow to drop the trees.
He also gave me an estimate to work on the big tree in the back corner of the property. I don’t think he planned on hauling anything so that’s probably just cutting things up and piling a big burn pile or three.
I should consider renting a big chipper and chip up what I can. I could use the chips to help fill in the ditch.
Becky, Andrew, and Lachlan arrived today. We went to Pendleton and visited with Mom, and then out to Dave and Liz’s new place.
Friday
Worked outdoors a little today but it was raining for most of the day.
The tree guy came and dropped the leaning trees.
We all went out to dinner with Mom, and Dave and Liz tonight. This was my Birthday dinner and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Saturday
Worked in the back pasture this morning collecting up tree limbs to add to the back pasture burn pile and others can be put into the ditch.
Took the garbage out to the landfill.
Washed and dried a load of clothes this evening.
Wrapped up my projects for this trip and got ready to relax Sunday morning and head for Arizona in the afternoon.
Sunday
Mom came over in the morning to say goodbye.
Headed to the airport around 2:00 pm.
Arrived back home late.
Sure was a fun trip.
I'll have to do it again sometime soon :)
Fall Trip 2018
Sunday
Arrived at the farm in the evening and tried to air up the flat tire on the car. I think it had been flat too long and the bead wouldn’t seal on the rim. I ended up putting on the donut tire. That tire looked like it had never been out of the trunk.
Then I noticed the left front tire was flat. Fortunately, I was able to get it aired up just fine.
Picked up a few groceries in town and got the pictures off the trail camera. There weren't any pictures of much interest this time around. A branch had grown up in front of the camera and it filled up with photos quickly with the movement of the leaves. Better luck next time I guess.
Except for weeds, cobwebs, and the dryness, everything was as expected. The things along the fence line with neighbor to the left seem to be benefiting from his new irrigation system. Everything that is growing is green on that side of the property.
Monday
Tire shops were closed today. I ended up trying to air the flat tire up again today and this time it took air. I put it back on the car and will take the car to the shop tomorrow.
Hosed the house down this morning. The cobwebs were bad on the front of the house.
Started pulling the weeds in the orchard area.
Tuesday
Took the car into town and had the tires checked out. They couldn’t find anything wrong. Not even leaky valve stems. They also checked the battery and said it was fine for now. I was sitting outside and reading the latest Nickel Ads when I looked up and this little chicken was walking by.
The person I contacted to help out with the irrigation connection stopped by and we got everything settled for the irrigation district water connection sometime early next spring.
I stopped by the irrigation district office and got the connection order going and also let them know I have a POC for the project.
Got most of the weeds pulled today, a few trees trimmed, and the downed tree limbs stacked on the burn pile.
I noticed the fish pond was bone dry. I think that’s the first time ever that it hasn’t had any water in it since I purchased the place.
An old friend from the neighborhood I grew up in stopped by today. He has moved to the area and now lives about a mile from me.
Wednesday
Gordon’s came today and serviced the heat pump.
Continued to pull weeds and rake the yard. That seemed to be a daily event.
The puncture vine was bad but got it all pulled up by the end of the trip.
Thursday
Worked in the yard again today. Tried out the new electric push mower today and I think it worked out really well. With the two batteries I can easily mow the half acre around the house.
Friday
Went into town and picked up the shutoff valve and a regular hose valve today. Put the pieces together with pipe cement and Teflon tape. Just need to tighten up once connection before cementing everything on to the irrigation pipe in the yard.
Moved the igloo dog house over to cover the irrigation pipe and fittings for the winter until I can build a cover that will eventually house the booster pump, a distribution manifold, and power.
The guy at the irrigation place said that there will be a lot of air pushing out the pipe before the water comes out and the valve on the property will need to be opened up first. Otherwise there may be too much pressure and blow the valve and fittings off? I'm looking forward to seeing how much pressure I end up with this gravity fed system.
Saturday
Spent more time pulling up the puncture vine weeds along the road and trimming up that tree to the left of the front of the property. Turns out the original tree is dead and all the growth was from suckers growing up around it.
Sunday
I installed the garage door opener outlet in the garage today. I think it turned out good. I'm moving the opener to the left side of the garage and needed a plug in the ceiling to get that done.
Took Mom for a drive and had a good visit.
Monday
I had the garage door opener moved to the left side door today. The job went well and I’m happy with the move. Also came in below budget so that’s good.
Tuesday
I installed the kitchen ceiling fan today. It installed just as expected and although smaller than I had expected, the fan and light work really well. It really helps move air around the kitchen and is near where I'll have a piano some day.
I continued pulling up the puncture vine weeds in the yard and along the road. I trimmed the trees along the road.
Wednesday
Worked on pulling more weeds and picked up the tree limbs I cut down yesterday.
Went to Mom’s early and helped around the house. I washed all of the siding on her house. Took the window air conditioner out and put it away for the winter. Filled the apple tree holes that were sinking and brought them to surface level again.
Picked up a light fixture for the garage/shop that Dave gave me.
Thursday
Finished pulling weeds.
The bridge over the ditch has one broken beam. I think it needs to be completely rebuilt from the ground up.
Becky and Lachlan arrived today.
It's Round Up week so we’ll be heading to Pendleton in the morning to take in some festivities.
Friday
Watched most of the Westward Ho parade this morning. Lachlan enjoyed all of the horses, mules, donkeys, wagon trains, and especially the pretty girls.
Watched Cale Moon perform on main street and visited with his Dad for a little bit. Mom went with us so she was able to get out and enjoy a little bit of Round Up activities too.
Lachlan rode on a couple of rides at the carnival.
Had dinner with Mom and then headed for home.
Saturday
More visiting in the Pendleton area today. We went to the park where Becky's picket is.
Sunday
Travel Day, time to head back to Arizona. Mom came down to see us off and say "Until Next Time". Thanks Mom for the terrific meals and conversation.
Lachlan was a very good boy on the flight back to Arizona.
The following are more pictures that were taken during the trip.
Enjoy :)
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