Dec 18, 2013 Fixing MAX Again

Snow melting off the roof of the
garbage/recycle shed.

Dinga helping JB with MAX.

Monday 12/16.  It remained partly cloudy most of the day with some sun and a high of 33.  No new cougar tracks that we could see, at least on our walk.

Today I got to do what I just love - crawl under the house.  Before JB snaked the pipe, I wanted to be sure that everything was okay with the pipes as far as them being where they are supposed to be, ie. no sagging, etc.  They were fine and everything except one corner is completely dried out.  We just need another vent on the northwest end of the house.  Going under the house isn't so bad when it is all dry, except it's hard on the knees.  Have to remember to use JB's knee pads next time.

The pipe snake that we have did not work the way we needed it to, possibly because it may be at least 50 years old.  It belonged to my Dad.  So JB is going to buy a new and more pliable one when he goes Down There on the 23rd.  Meanwhile we'll just go easy on our daily use of water.

Last week I finished the second row of wood in the wood shed.  The next six rows are each almost three feet longer than the first two.  And I have used only about 1/3 of the first of two rows of the branch wood.  Then, of course, we have all the wood on the porch.  I think we're set.

I cleaned up my craft corner in the loft, ready my book and just enjoyed another day on the mountain. 

Tuesday 12/17.  It was 29 and mostly clear this morning with some river valley fog.  Our high for the day was 35.  The sun shone most of the day and urged the fog up into the canyons a bit, but not too high.

With all the melting and freezing going on outside, it is definitely time to strap on the cleats.

JB drove MAX down to get the game cam card and realized something was wrong with the last axle we replaced - again.  So after looking at the videos on the card (no cougars this time, just deer, rabbits, blue grouse and coyotes) and eating lunch, we went out to work on MAX.  Since it was the middle wheel, we didn't have to take off the track, thank goodness.  Took us about an hour to get everything tightened up and back on.  I think the main problem is that the rod between the two middle axles has been worn down where it fits into the axle.  That allows a little wobble, which, in turn, makes the axle loose again.  We do have an extra rod but if that is indeed the problem, it means taking MAX almost completely apart.  We'll take a look tomorrow.  It would really help if at least one of us was half a mechanic. . .

The sky was clear for the full moon and it shone brightly on the snow and ice while we were inside watching the first episodes of season three of The Vampire Diaries.  Werewolves and vampires during a real full moon. . .

Wednesday 12/18.  It is 26 and partly cloudy this morning with freezing rain and/or snow in the forecast.

Thought for the day: I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas lights.  Maya Angelou