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| Dogs leading as we groom the road |
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| Mt Stewart from Rose Camp |
Then: February 2010
As February began, our landscape was white once again but it still looked more like April. By the middle of the month the snow had begun to build back up and memories of the January thaw were fading. A few times I hung sheets outside to freeze dry, but during the cold weather I normally hang the laundry inside. Since it is dark by the time we eat dinner, rather than use the generator for water to do the dishes, we simply wait til morning to wash them, when the sun is up and shining on the solar panels. Because of the inverter that we have, the water pump pulls too much power from the batteries if they are not being constantly charged by the sun.
Living Up Here, we really notice the difference in the seasons from year to year. And each winter has been different. 2008/2009 was the Typical Winter. 2009/2010 was the Winter of the Fog. And 2010/2011 will be the Winter of the Wind. Luckily we have not had any problems with drifting snow so far, other than a slight tilt to parts of the road. In the several acres around the house, the wind just tends to flatten it all out, erasing any signs of the previous day's activity.
I am still amazed at how much I enjoy the snow and cold weather. Obviously much of that comes from the fact that we don't have to drive the paved roads in it or be anywhere each day. Ahhh, retirement.
Now: August 11, 2011
It is a few minutes after 5:00 a.m. as I write this and looking west I am just able to make out the trees against the brightening sky. The daily sunrise breeze has picked up to usher in the day, only this morning it is more of a wind.
At last we are ready to attach the decking to the roof of the shop! Yesterday we installed the rest of the sleepers, and I attached the screen to the ends of them, wrapped under and over. This morning Mike is coming up to stay with us while RJ goes Down There. After breakfast he can help us with the decking (of course he doesn't know that yet).
After lunch we built another of the shelving units for the shop, then JB started moving items in. Since the last carport did not survive the winter, everything is on shelves near the wood shed covered with tarps or the large pieces of the carport. It will be so nice to have all those under one roof and easily accessible.
It was cooler than normal yesterday (especially for August) and quite windy. We could see huge thunder clouds to the north of us where they were causing quite the electrical storm. By evening they had at least one new forest fire.
I get to babysit Larry and Elsie's chickens, garden and plants over the weekend, so last evening we drove down to get instructions and pick up Elsie's ATV. Two of their hens each have several new chicks, and each new family is in their own little pen. They need to be fed and cared for differently than the rest of the chickens. When I felt comfortable that I knew everything I will have to do, I drove the ATV back up the mountain. Woo Hoo! I will get to ride down twice a day, so I'll see if Mike wants to ride down with me Friday or Saturday.
Almost two months since the Summer solstice and we are on our way into winter's dark. The sun sets by 8:00 now, instead of 9:00 as it did in mid-June. I am just getting used to Summer, and it is almost Fall. And isn't that so true for life also.
As February began, our landscape was white once again but it still looked more like April. By the middle of the month the snow had begun to build back up and memories of the January thaw were fading. A few times I hung sheets outside to freeze dry, but during the cold weather I normally hang the laundry inside. Since it is dark by the time we eat dinner, rather than use the generator for water to do the dishes, we simply wait til morning to wash them, when the sun is up and shining on the solar panels. Because of the inverter that we have, the water pump pulls too much power from the batteries if they are not being constantly charged by the sun.
Living Up Here, we really notice the difference in the seasons from year to year. And each winter has been different. 2008/2009 was the Typical Winter. 2009/2010 was the Winter of the Fog. And 2010/2011 will be the Winter of the Wind. Luckily we have not had any problems with drifting snow so far, other than a slight tilt to parts of the road. In the several acres around the house, the wind just tends to flatten it all out, erasing any signs of the previous day's activity.
I am still amazed at how much I enjoy the snow and cold weather. Obviously much of that comes from the fact that we don't have to drive the paved roads in it or be anywhere each day. Ahhh, retirement.
Now: August 11, 2011
It is a few minutes after 5:00 a.m. as I write this and looking west I am just able to make out the trees against the brightening sky. The daily sunrise breeze has picked up to usher in the day, only this morning it is more of a wind.
At last we are ready to attach the decking to the roof of the shop! Yesterday we installed the rest of the sleepers, and I attached the screen to the ends of them, wrapped under and over. This morning Mike is coming up to stay with us while RJ goes Down There. After breakfast he can help us with the decking (of course he doesn't know that yet).
After lunch we built another of the shelving units for the shop, then JB started moving items in. Since the last carport did not survive the winter, everything is on shelves near the wood shed covered with tarps or the large pieces of the carport. It will be so nice to have all those under one roof and easily accessible.
It was cooler than normal yesterday (especially for August) and quite windy. We could see huge thunder clouds to the north of us where they were causing quite the electrical storm. By evening they had at least one new forest fire.
I get to babysit Larry and Elsie's chickens, garden and plants over the weekend, so last evening we drove down to get instructions and pick up Elsie's ATV. Two of their hens each have several new chicks, and each new family is in their own little pen. They need to be fed and cared for differently than the rest of the chickens. When I felt comfortable that I knew everything I will have to do, I drove the ATV back up the mountain. Woo Hoo! I will get to ride down twice a day, so I'll see if Mike wants to ride down with me Friday or Saturday.
Almost two months since the Summer solstice and we are on our way into winter's dark. The sun sets by 8:00 now, instead of 9:00 as it did in mid-June. I am just getting used to Summer, and it is almost Fall. And isn't that so true for life also.
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