barn day

Raking out the loose stuff wasn't too bad.  Chipping up the 4" layer of compressed hay, poo, and pee was rather labor intensive.  97,104,68,0,B

99%

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50137669n 

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super screws...

Forgot I had about 40 more lag screws to put in before the rafters.  Took all day to drive 'em in.  Just for fun, I topped off each connection with a 4" super screw...coated stainless steel.   Each spot had a standard 4" course thread drywall screw (to hold things in place), two 3/8 x 5" galvanized hex screws, and then one super screw.  Each hex screw required 3 different drill bits.  My drill and ratchet have had a workout...and my shoulder is a little sore.  Managed to at least mark where the rafters will go the north and south side.

Ben was happy to spend his first full day out in the new acre while I worked on his pole barn.  Not sure if it was the bale of hay he snuggled up to or the fact that he was near me all day.  66,78,46,0,B,0

more parts...

A buddy called this morning and needed a ride to Alpine.  Just so happened I needed more parts for the barn so it gave me an excuse to zip north.  I was going to use T1-11 plywood for the siding but decided to try a composite product.  http://www.lpcorp.com/smartside/panel/   $20 for a 4x8 and looks just like T1-11...and it comes already primed.  T1-11 is $36 per un-primed sheet.  I'm gambling on technology... 49,69,46,0,B,0

more barn parts up...

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It's All About Ben

Today's task was to get more 2 x 6's in place and secure the area so Ben can hang out while the rest of the pole barn gets constructed. Late today he was introduced to (and quite happy with) the new romper room and even marked his new acre. 67,83,46,0,C,0

One Pour To Go

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breakfast buddies

Thanks to the last rains, little yellow flowers are popping up all over the place out here.  One last breath of life before winter sets in.  After 5 years here, I have learned that all signs of life are a gift and welcome change to this parched desert landscape...plants & critters.

Carl had breakfast today with Mr. Floppy.  Two poles to go on the pole barn.  74,89,56,0,B,0

...and again

Same as the yesterdays...except with some biped visitors.  The Hoop then the Mahan brothers with Sam Sledge.  Don Mahan (on the right) is the guy I bought my property from.  82,92,58,0,B,0

repeat

...just like yesterday, except 2 new poles and no longhorns.  80,91,56,0,C,0

up'n'in

Had a big crowd for breakfast this morning.  When they were finished, Dick Cain came out and we herded them SW toward Terlingua Creek.  Yesterday afternoon I managed to tip pole #3 in its' hole without a problem using the high to low method.  Got it concreted in this morning.  Cleared the way for pole #4 and got the fattest/heaviest pole in the hole.  77,90,62,0,B,0

pole wrasslin...

Set the NW corner this morning.  Decided to try my winch at raising another utility pole for the barn.  Fought with it for 2 hours....FAIL!  It kept lopping over either left or right before it dropped in the hole.  To difficult to wrangle by myself.  Will go back to the same plan I used to raise the first pole for the rest of these.  High to low is the way to go.  81,92,59,0,B,0

sweater weather

Cloudy and cool all day today...that doesn't happen very often out here and is always welcome.  Worked a bit on the plan for Ben's future home then fetched the last three poles.  They were bears to load into the bed of the pickup.  Did 3 trips.  Went back through the archives to relive the last pole barn I built with 3 friends on my property in NY.  This one was a monster - 24' x 72'...and 16' from ground to trusses.  I ended up throwing away 2/3 of the stuff stored in that space before I moved out here.  Ben's barn will be just big enough for him to be comfortable with just a few bells and whistles.  66,78,63,0,B,0

logger...

A day in Chuck's forest....cutting up some utility poles he has donated to the pole barn cause.  As is these are about 35' long and VERY heavy.  Lumber jacked them into 12' lengths and carted 6 pieces home - the three fat ends to come tomorrow if I don't get rained in.  Giving Carl the deluxe treatment tonight.  He gets to sleep inside for a change.  He has been roosting with Ben lately but decided to come in tonight to check the blog.   Might not seem like much to you and me, but to him it's probably a big deal.  That's the way we roll at TFL.   80,99,69,0,B, .24