Here we are in the middle of paradise, basking in the beauty and wonder of God’s creation. What a feast for the eyes, ears, and even noses! The surrounding mountains and forests with their songbirds, deer and wild turkeys are a sight to behold…we hear an evening chorus of frogs, geese, and mallards…and we love the fragrance of the pines, firs and other trees and plants.
This has been a busy ten days with lots of visitors--we treasure our family and friends! Most of our kids and grandkids made day trips to see us, the “pockery,” and the new tractor! Our neighbors Larry and Lynn were here to spend several days at their cabin, and we saw several friends and new acquaintances who live nearby. The perfect end of our day is to sit around a crackling campfire with friends and family members!
Our first day here, the local phone company not only turned on our phone service but connected us to DSL as well! (We’re really getting civilized here…) The well driller came by and checked out our first well site, which he’ll drill next month. One afternoon, we spent four hours walking our entire place with a state forester, completing our forest stewardship plan. Another day our excavating, foundation and framing contractors came by to schedule out the construction of our utility barn/apartment. Our tractor was delivered just in time for a round of rides for grandkids. Jim later used it to level out the utility building excavation so that concrete trucks can reach the project site.
Before the kids arrived, Jim and Adele set out some preliminary parcel boundary markers. Until now, we’ve eyeballed and estimated the divisions between the seven 20-acre pieces. Jeremy & Katrina, Pete & Sarah, and Tommy & Bethany all walked their individual land a bit, looking at boundary lines and their potential homesites. They’ve all seen them before, but it’s always fun to dream and plan.
During the week, after the footing trenches were excavated by Ron, Jim received an electrical permit, placed the power line conduits, and backfilled with the tractor. He pumped some standing water out of the trench before Ken and CJ came to build the forms for the building footings. These were poured and they look good! Next comes the foundation walls and then the floor slab with radiant heating piping throughout.
This has been a busy ten days with lots of visitors--we treasure our family and friends! Most of our kids and grandkids made day trips to see us, the “pockery,” and the new tractor! Our neighbors Larry and Lynn were here to spend several days at their cabin, and we saw several friends and new acquaintances who live nearby. The perfect end of our day is to sit around a crackling campfire with friends and family members!
Our first day here, the local phone company not only turned on our phone service but connected us to DSL as well! (We’re really getting civilized here…) The well driller came by and checked out our first well site, which he’ll drill next month. One afternoon, we spent four hours walking our entire place with a state forester, completing our forest stewardship plan. Another day our excavating, foundation and framing contractors came by to schedule out the construction of our utility barn/apartment. Our tractor was delivered just in time for a round of rides for grandkids. Jim later used it to level out the utility building excavation so that concrete trucks can reach the project site.
Before the kids arrived, Jim and Adele set out some preliminary parcel boundary markers. Until now, we’ve eyeballed and estimated the divisions between the seven 20-acre pieces. Jeremy & Katrina, Pete & Sarah, and Tommy & Bethany all walked their individual land a bit, looking at boundary lines and their potential homesites. They’ve all seen them before, but it’s always fun to dream and plan.
During the week, after the footing trenches were excavated by Ron, Jim received an electrical permit, placed the power line conduits, and backfilled with the tractor. He pumped some standing water out of the trench before Ken and CJ came to build the forms for the building footings. These were poured and they look good! Next comes the foundation walls and then the floor slab with radiant heating piping throughout.
We are getting acquainted with the local farm supply store (Big R—Adele’s favorite store), tractor parts dealers, hardware stores, and building supply companies. Between those businesses, Safeway, and Super Walmart, we find most of what we need in Colville or Chewelah. Once in a while a trip to Spokane will be in order for Costco, Lowe’s, Home Depot, etc.
Now back to our other home to spend some time there before the next trip east.
Saturday was a great day for kites!
Now back to our other home to spend some time there before the next trip east.
Saturday was a great day for kites!
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