Everyone still seems to be moving in slow motion on our move. Aaaargh! I also get the feeling that we will need more trips to get everything out of the house. We're loading a second POD, but I think we'll only get the living room, dining room, and maybe one of the bedrooms in before needing more space. I need to check to see if I can get an emergency U-Haul to finish up.
The POD didn't arrive until almost 3 PM, but we were expecting it before noon. I never even got out to the ranch today. Marian (Lazy J Ranch) picked up the horses a bit later. I'm actually feeling a bit off today, accidentally drinking more coffee than I realized, having a caffeine rush, anxiousness, then a major letdown. It is also remotely possible that I'm feeling my age a bit.
Jesse says we need to rent a jackhammer to finish the trenching. We are quickly running out of funds, I fear. Fortunately, payday is Monday, but even with that, things will be tight.
Feeling old, Steve.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
I Hate Moving
Yeah, who doesn't, right? Anyway, the second POD is supposed to arrive late this morning, we're still packing, Marian (our horse trainer) is picking up Treasure and Snip (Stinky) sometime this morning, too. It's amazing, all the stuff you accumulate over the years; AND, we only moved 5 years ago, so this is newly accumulated stuff.
I'm probably gonna get in trouble for it, but I plan on taking several railroad ties and other lumber to cut up and make steps up to Communication Rock, as we have been calling it. Portions of the path are a bit steep and slippery. Horse stuff, planters, outdoor furniture, exercise equipment, round pen, metal poles, large barbecue, composters, storage lockers, and canopies need to be moved - and that's just outside stuff that's not already been moved!
Most of the garage stuff is already in storage POD #1, but there's still more to go. We also have to load up all the living room, dining room, and bedroom furniture, paintings, clothes, bathrooms, kitchen, rugs, and school room stuff.
I need to call all the utilities, creditors, subscriptions, family, and friends on our new address. Oops, DMV too. The US Postal Service website did not recognize my new address, so I altered it to the address used on the mailbox by previous occupants. I need to go by the new post office to confirm that mail gets forwarded to the right place.
So far, Shelley and I have been getting along OK without biting each other's head off, but it is real stressful right now. Pray for us. Our old saying, "Divorce Never, Murder Maybe" still holds true, so if you find me dead, you'll know who did it! (This is kinda stupid to write in a blog, since Shelley will see this and comment!) HAHA honey.
Yikes, Steve
I'm probably gonna get in trouble for it, but I plan on taking several railroad ties and other lumber to cut up and make steps up to Communication Rock, as we have been calling it. Portions of the path are a bit steep and slippery. Horse stuff, planters, outdoor furniture, exercise equipment, round pen, metal poles, large barbecue, composters, storage lockers, and canopies need to be moved - and that's just outside stuff that's not already been moved!
Most of the garage stuff is already in storage POD #1, but there's still more to go. We also have to load up all the living room, dining room, and bedroom furniture, paintings, clothes, bathrooms, kitchen, rugs, and school room stuff.
I need to call all the utilities, creditors, subscriptions, family, and friends on our new address. Oops, DMV too. The US Postal Service website did not recognize my new address, so I altered it to the address used on the mailbox by previous occupants. I need to go by the new post office to confirm that mail gets forwarded to the right place.
So far, Shelley and I have been getting along OK without biting each other's head off, but it is real stressful right now. Pray for us. Our old saying, "Divorce Never, Murder Maybe" still holds true, so if you find me dead, you'll know who did it! (This is kinda stupid to write in a blog, since Shelley will see this and comment!) HAHA honey.
Yikes, Steve
More Work
Well moving day is Monday ready or not. This house is almost packed and ready to go. At the the homestead work is progressing nicely. The house is wired and lights installed. Best of all the generator has been moved to the garage and IT WORKS. (Sorry for doubting you dear.) Trenches are dug, Water Storage container is on the property. Bruce McG the well guy will be there tomorrow afternoonish and hopefully get the well working.
Shelley (found and posted by Steve)
Shelley (found and posted by Steve)
Moving On Up (or other prepositions)
Finally, I have a chance to sit down and write a bit. We have to move out of Pedley over the next three days, and it has been a little hectic. So, here's an update on the last week:
Electricity: The wiring was almost finished with both 110 and 12 (battery low voltage), but while drywall is still off, we decided to add TV and speaker wire throughout. Jesse should finish by Monday. We rented a trencher to dig from the side of the garage to the house junction box late Thursday afternoon, and finished yesterday.
Generator: (Also electricity, but a separate paragraph). We managed to get the Onan gas generator pulled from the old Winnebago after cutting some bolts and an exhaust pipe. It was then maneuvered into the garage. Guess what - it actually started!! (Angels sing in resounding chorus - Hallelujah!) It is pretty loud, so I need to get a car guy up (or take it to him) to tune it. We need to put the muffler/exhaust back on and vent it out towards the back. Also, I've got to build walls in to insulate the sound. Oh yeah, I also need to get power storage batteries (truck 12 volt to start, paired 6 volts later for longer storage.) (I know, waaay too many alsos and oh yeahs, one more thing. ROFL)
Water: I had a water tank guy come out and drop off a 2500 gallon water storage tank. It's a big, green cylinder that still needs to be rolled up to it the pad. Interesting, Sam is from Iraq, served in British intelligence, speaks 9 languages, a very typical pronounced accent, and promises me the absolutely best deal, ever! He said he grew up Iraqi Catholic, but loves attending Shadow Mountain (recently joined Southern Baptists) in El Cajon, David Jeremiah, pastor. He delivered the tank in his pickup truck, bed bowed by the multiple ratcheted tightenings, and paint job ruined from scratches and ratchet buckles.
Bruce McG. (well guy) may be out later today to show me how to set up the tank and fittings, and update me on the well.
More is happening, but I'll go ahead and post this; maybe i can get more later today.
Steve
Electricity: The wiring was almost finished with both 110 and 12 (battery low voltage), but while drywall is still off, we decided to add TV and speaker wire throughout. Jesse should finish by Monday. We rented a trencher to dig from the side of the garage to the house junction box late Thursday afternoon, and finished yesterday.
Generator: (Also electricity, but a separate paragraph). We managed to get the Onan gas generator pulled from the old Winnebago after cutting some bolts and an exhaust pipe. It was then maneuvered into the garage. Guess what - it actually started!! (Angels sing in resounding chorus - Hallelujah!) It is pretty loud, so I need to get a car guy up (or take it to him) to tune it. We need to put the muffler/exhaust back on and vent it out towards the back. Also, I've got to build walls in to insulate the sound. Oh yeah, I also need to get power storage batteries (truck 12 volt to start, paired 6 volts later for longer storage.) (I know, waaay too many alsos and oh yeahs, one more thing. ROFL)
Water: I had a water tank guy come out and drop off a 2500 gallon water storage tank. It's a big, green cylinder that still needs to be rolled up to it the pad. Interesting, Sam is from Iraq, served in British intelligence, speaks 9 languages, a very typical pronounced accent, and promises me the absolutely best deal, ever! He said he grew up Iraqi Catholic, but loves attending Shadow Mountain (recently joined Southern Baptists) in El Cajon, David Jeremiah, pastor. He delivered the tank in his pickup truck, bed bowed by the multiple ratcheted tightenings, and paint job ruined from scratches and ratchet buckles.
Bruce McG. (well guy) may be out later today to show me how to set up the tank and fittings, and update me on the well.
More is happening, but I'll go ahead and post this; maybe i can get more later today.
Steve
Saturday, October 23, 2010
A Day at the Ranch
Michelob and Corona bottle caps, cigarette butts, wire coat hanger, shot gun shells, broken windows, dry wall crumbs, paper clip, rocks bricks and weeds, baby bottle, dead basket ball, faded t-shirt, and 6 feet of smashed plastic pipe==guess what I did this morning? Raked the front yard of the ranch! Yes it was fun, it was a beautiful day to be outside. Shelley.
I was at the ranch, too. Bruce McG., the well guy came with his crane well truck; we lowered heavier pipe into the well and got a picture using the camera's zoom. It now appears that the previous well head was broken off and dropped to the bottom of the well. The picture shows a pipe and maybe some wire. We need to contrive a way to grab the pipe and lift perhaps 250 feet of it and a 4" pump on the bottom.
Jesse brought his Dad and framed the master bath and walk-in closet, and we started some more drywall demolition in the kitchen. We also worked on getting the generator out of the motor home and working. Wow, it's heavy! Ha, we'll get it out tomorrow. BTW, I've got a good name for the ranch, maybe. Bryn in Irish means hill, so why not name our ranch Bryn Flynn? I dunno, maybe too much rhyming. Steve.
I was at the ranch, too. Bruce McG., the well guy came with his crane well truck; we lowered heavier pipe into the well and got a picture using the camera's zoom. It now appears that the previous well head was broken off and dropped to the bottom of the well. The picture shows a pipe and maybe some wire. We need to contrive a way to grab the pipe and lift perhaps 250 feet of it and a 4" pump on the bottom.
Jesse brought his Dad and framed the master bath and walk-in closet, and we started some more drywall demolition in the kitchen. We also worked on getting the generator out of the motor home and working. Wow, it's heavy! Ha, we'll get it out tomorrow. BTW, I've got a good name for the ranch, maybe. Bryn in Irish means hill, so why not name our ranch Bryn Flynn? I dunno, maybe too much rhyming. Steve.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Another Update
I haven't blogged for almost a week, now.
Work has been progressing on the electric wiring by Jesse. I asked him to wire for both 110 with generator power and low voltage for battery-stored power from generator, solar, and wind. He's also going to frame in a master bath and walk-in closet for what will become the master suite.
We disassembled 9 interior doors with the frames at a contractor's house. Gary is a nice guy with a good amount of building experience; he gave very practical tips and showed me how to take out the frames and remove the 5 ceiling fans.
BTW, Shelley drove out to Sun Valley and bought a Shopsmith Mark V for $360! Yeah for bargain shopping through craigslist! Good job, Shell.
The dirt road has quite a few more ruts and bumps after our little rain; I hope we can maintain a decent road this winter.
The boys are working with Jesse today on the house, and I'll be at the ranch tomorrow with well expert, Bruce. I'm still researching cell coverage improvement and solar systems.
This blog entry is a bit disjointed without a unifying theme; not my best writing. Sorry about that.
More stuff to come.
Steve
Work has been progressing on the electric wiring by Jesse. I asked him to wire for both 110 with generator power and low voltage for battery-stored power from generator, solar, and wind. He's also going to frame in a master bath and walk-in closet for what will become the master suite.
We disassembled 9 interior doors with the frames at a contractor's house. Gary is a nice guy with a good amount of building experience; he gave very practical tips and showed me how to take out the frames and remove the 5 ceiling fans.
BTW, Shelley drove out to Sun Valley and bought a Shopsmith Mark V for $360! Yeah for bargain shopping through craigslist! Good job, Shell.
The dirt road has quite a few more ruts and bumps after our little rain; I hope we can maintain a decent road this winter.
The boys are working with Jesse today on the house, and I'll be at the ranch tomorrow with well expert, Bruce. I'm still researching cell coverage improvement and solar systems.
This blog entry is a bit disjointed without a unifying theme; not my best writing. Sorry about that.
More stuff to come.
Steve
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Bargains
Who doesn't love a bargain? There's an old saying that tempers an affirmative answer: "One man's trash is another's treasure." Another truism: "You get what you pay for." Shelley and I have often bumped heads on what to keep or trash. Basically, I'm a hoarder, and Shelley is much more prudent in deciding what is kept (some crazy two year rule!)
Anyway, I think we've gotten some pretty good bargains lately, but the above quotes are certain verbal fodder for friends, family, and foes. We purchased our ranch for 39k, but it really is quite a project. I also decided to buy an old motor home for $300 for an untested generator and propane refrigerator. We just bought three fancy exhaust fans for $30, and a house full of doors with frames for $100. Cool thing about the doors, though, the seller is also giving us five ceiling fans for that price.
Jesse, our next door Pedley neighbor is an electrician, gave us a pretty decent price (we think), to install the house with both 110 and low voltage wiring. He starts tomorrow, and should finish in a week. Someone will need to stay in the motorhome to watch the place. Shelley has found a couple of really nice entry doors for a good price, too. Windows - maybe contracted, maybe pieced, we haven't decided yet.
More adventures to come.
Steve
Anyway, I think we've gotten some pretty good bargains lately, but the above quotes are certain verbal fodder for friends, family, and foes. We purchased our ranch for 39k, but it really is quite a project. I also decided to buy an old motor home for $300 for an untested generator and propane refrigerator. We just bought three fancy exhaust fans for $30, and a house full of doors with frames for $100. Cool thing about the doors, though, the seller is also giving us five ceiling fans for that price.
Jesse, our next door Pedley neighbor is an electrician, gave us a pretty decent price (we think), to install the house with both 110 and low voltage wiring. He starts tomorrow, and should finish in a week. Someone will need to stay in the motorhome to watch the place. Shelley has found a couple of really nice entry doors for a good price, too. Windows - maybe contracted, maybe pieced, we haven't decided yet.
More adventures to come.
Steve
Of Rats and Quicksand
...with apologies to Steinbeck. The kangaroo rat has proven to be a thorn in many a developer's side, and guess what - yep, we got 'em. Cute little critters, really, and they are certainly NOT endangered in our biome. A favorite meal of local coyotes by evidence of their scat, we actually host two varieties. I forget which is which, but one cousin lives in the rocks, the other in the flats. They hop like kangaroos on hind legs; to date, I have only seen them in my headlights, but Mike R. says there are quite a few that come out after dark.
Probably the most surprising revelation from Mike R. is the occasional danger of quicksand. Hello, quicksand? Apparently, Mike lost a truck to the sneaky stuff, and there is a real danger in the area after rains. Springs and artesian wells bubble up and create a nearly invisible danger that also nearly claimed one of his horses. I will definitely read up on the stuff and look for danger signs.
Probably the most surprising revelation from Mike R. is the occasional danger of quicksand. Hello, quicksand? Apparently, Mike lost a truck to the sneaky stuff, and there is a real danger in the area after rains. Springs and artesian wells bubble up and create a nearly invisible danger that also nearly claimed one of his horses. I will definitely read up on the stuff and look for danger signs.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
More Well News
I should have written more while my meeting with the neighbors was fresh on my mind... ah, who're we kidding here? Nothing stays fresh in my mind these days - Haha! Rambling on, the R.'s truly seem to be a great source of information, and I feel we will become good friends in our adventures.
Before I forget, there's some good news, I think.
At the suggestion of Bruce McG. (well expert), the three of us - Shell, Mike, and I took some galvanized pipe to try and break through a blockage in the well at 28 feet. We coupled together three 10' half-inch pipe with a "T" on top with two 1' pipes for a handle/stopper. Our first attempt to lift the 30' pipe actually broke at the threads of the first joint. Rethinking, we lowered the pipe into the well in 10' sections and attached the couplings over the well while one held it firm. When we lowered the last piece, we attached the tee handle, and were able to start lifting and dropping the pipe with some force. At first, we hit what seemed to be rocks and dirt. A few forceful blows later, it felt like most of the rock was gone and we were pushing into mud. In a couple of spots, the pipe dropped all the way to the stopper, so we continued to lift and push until the pipe consistently dropped to the handle. There still seems to be a small solid shelf at the 28' mark, but I think we got most of the debris pushed down. The most encouraging sign was a welcome reflection of lantern lights down the 6' pipe. I need to get another coupler to add a fourth 10' to drop our puncher down further, but we are jazzed right now.
(Going back a couple of days.) On his first trip, Bill (the irrigation camera guy) got lost, of course, on his way to the ranch. It's kinda hard to play phone tag when you can't get cell service! When we were able to connect, I led him out there. He commented that he had lived many years in the area, and never knew places like this existed - ROFL. Anyway, he got out his battery-pack irrigation pipe camera, powered it up, and ... voila, no picture. He grumbled that it, "always worked before." Nice guy, coming out as a favor, I'll have him come out again, now that we can see a reflection. I also want to call Bruce McG back out to test the water and tell us what kind of pump we need.
More adventure to come.
Steve
Before I forget, there's some good news, I think.
At the suggestion of Bruce McG. (well expert), the three of us - Shell, Mike, and I took some galvanized pipe to try and break through a blockage in the well at 28 feet. We coupled together three 10' half-inch pipe with a "T" on top with two 1' pipes for a handle/stopper. Our first attempt to lift the 30' pipe actually broke at the threads of the first joint. Rethinking, we lowered the pipe into the well in 10' sections and attached the couplings over the well while one held it firm. When we lowered the last piece, we attached the tee handle, and were able to start lifting and dropping the pipe with some force. At first, we hit what seemed to be rocks and dirt. A few forceful blows later, it felt like most of the rock was gone and we were pushing into mud. In a couple of spots, the pipe dropped all the way to the stopper, so we continued to lift and push until the pipe consistently dropped to the handle. There still seems to be a small solid shelf at the 28' mark, but I think we got most of the debris pushed down. The most encouraging sign was a welcome reflection of lantern lights down the 6' pipe. I need to get another coupler to add a fourth 10' to drop our puncher down further, but we are jazzed right now.
(Going back a couple of days.) On his first trip, Bill (the irrigation camera guy) got lost, of course, on his way to the ranch. It's kinda hard to play phone tag when you can't get cell service! When we were able to connect, I led him out there. He commented that he had lived many years in the area, and never knew places like this existed - ROFL. Anyway, he got out his battery-pack irrigation pipe camera, powered it up, and ... voila, no picture. He grumbled that it, "always worked before." Nice guy, coming out as a favor, I'll have him come out again, now that we can see a reflection. I also want to call Bruce McG back out to test the water and tell us what kind of pump we need.
More adventure to come.
Steve
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Meet the Neighbors
Overwhelmed. That's how I feel after sitting down with the only neighbor past us on our lonely road. Turns out, Mike R. has lived there for more than 30 years. I could double my blog entries to date with just what I picked up today. Here's a few highlights:
My property used to be in Perris, and the previous owner actually filed building permits in Perris. So that is where I might find some missing information about the history on the property. He had the property insured, so the documents have to be somewhere.
Also, there is not a septic tank, but a cesspool field to the north of the house. The well that was drilled behind the house had to go down 300 feet! He pumped the water to a stainless steel tank on top of the hill for water pressure gravity flow. I asked him how the tank got up there, he said it was brought in by helicopter! The tank was rolled down the hill by thieves. BTW, there is still a large circular plate on the hill.
There is another gun club nearby used by police and military shooters. We had heard some automatic gun fire, and now we know it comes from the "Rock Pile." (Turn right instead of left at the first fork.)
More adventures later.
Steve
My property used to be in Perris, and the previous owner actually filed building permits in Perris. So that is where I might find some missing information about the history on the property. He had the property insured, so the documents have to be somewhere.
Also, there is not a septic tank, but a cesspool field to the north of the house. The well that was drilled behind the house had to go down 300 feet! He pumped the water to a stainless steel tank on top of the hill for water pressure gravity flow. I asked him how the tank got up there, he said it was brought in by helicopter! The tank was rolled down the hill by thieves. BTW, there is still a large circular plate on the hill.
There is another gun club nearby used by police and military shooters. We had heard some automatic gun fire, and now we know it comes from the "Rock Pile." (Turn right instead of left at the first fork.)
More adventures later.
Steve
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
All Is Well
Well, not really, but this blog entry is mainly about recent adventures with our well.
Bruce McG., the local well expert, had a good time checking out our remote acreage, but came to the conclusion that the well has been blocked at 28 feet. He suggested taking a long pipe and trying to punch the blockage down into the well. I stopped by the local hardware to get some galvanized pipe, but I was worried about the weight.
The saleslady suggested using PVC pipe with an epoxy on the end to glob onto the rocks to pull them out. Hmmm. We spent some time figuring out how this could work, problems including: getting stuck on the side of the well casing, having the epoxy drying too quickly or too slowly, and getting enough goop on the end of a pipe. The nice lady ventured her friend who had snaked a camera into a sewage line to search for damage. I talked with Bill for a few minutes, and he graciously offered to meet me tomorrow afternoon to take the plumber's camera snake down the 28 feet to see what's down there.
More good adventures to come! Or is that well adventures? Teehee.
Steve
Bruce McG., the local well expert, had a good time checking out our remote acreage, but came to the conclusion that the well has been blocked at 28 feet. He suggested taking a long pipe and trying to punch the blockage down into the well. I stopped by the local hardware to get some galvanized pipe, but I was worried about the weight.
The saleslady suggested using PVC pipe with an epoxy on the end to glob onto the rocks to pull them out. Hmmm. We spent some time figuring out how this could work, problems including: getting stuck on the side of the well casing, having the epoxy drying too quickly or too slowly, and getting enough goop on the end of a pipe. The nice lady ventured her friend who had snaked a camera into a sewage line to search for damage. I talked with Bill for a few minutes, and he graciously offered to meet me tomorrow afternoon to take the plumber's camera snake down the 28 feet to see what's down there.
More good adventures to come! Or is that well adventures? Teehee.
Steve
Monday Monday
OK, so now it's Tuesday Tuesday, but sometimes it's hard to come up with titles to these updates. Also, Monday just ended and I wanted to give a little update on yesterday's events.
The well expert came out yesterday and found that rocks had been thrown in the well to a depth of 28 feet. He used some colorful, unkind words for people that engage in this kind of vandalism. He suggested that we get some pipe to try to break the rock down into the well. I'll buy and join together some lengths of galvanized pipe, and let the boys take turns lifting and pounding that heavy pipe onto the rocks below. Hopefully, not too many rocks were thrown down, but we will just have to see. Otherwise, I'll have to buy a tank and have water trucked in and/or have a drill company drill though the old and/or completely drill a new well. Oh joy. BTW, apparently the previous owners had built the tank seen in the photo just for storage and pressure as we could not find how a truck could get to the spot to drill.
We also finished loading the POD and had it picked up and delivered yesterday afternoon. It's fascinating to watch the "podzilla" at work! I rode out with the driver (he would never have found my place!) and showed him where to place the storage unit. We'll start unloading it this week into the garage/workshop.
The trash company is supposed to deliver the roll-off dumpster today, but the boys will be in charge of showing them where to put it. The company will probably just put it where it's most convenient for them to pick it back up.
More to come! Steve.
The well expert came out yesterday and found that rocks had been thrown in the well to a depth of 28 feet. He used some colorful, unkind words for people that engage in this kind of vandalism. He suggested that we get some pipe to try to break the rock down into the well. I'll buy and join together some lengths of galvanized pipe, and let the boys take turns lifting and pounding that heavy pipe onto the rocks below. Hopefully, not too many rocks were thrown down, but we will just have to see. Otherwise, I'll have to buy a tank and have water trucked in and/or have a drill company drill though the old and/or completely drill a new well. Oh joy. BTW, apparently the previous owners had built the tank seen in the photo just for storage and pressure as we could not find how a truck could get to the spot to drill.
We also finished loading the POD and had it picked up and delivered yesterday afternoon. It's fascinating to watch the "podzilla" at work! I rode out with the driver (he would never have found my place!) and showed him where to place the storage unit. We'll start unloading it this week into the garage/workshop.
The trash company is supposed to deliver the roll-off dumpster today, but the boys will be in charge of showing them where to put it. The company will probably just put it where it's most convenient for them to pick it back up.
More to come! Steve.
Friday, October 8, 2010
More Adventures
Yeah! The trash company found us and will provide service.
Boo! It's $538 to put a 40 foot roll-off for our reconstruction mess (as long as weight is under 5 tons.) I called a couple of other guys, but they said that this is a good price. Whew! Whodathunkit? Anyway, they'll take it out there on Tuesday, and we can fill it up with the old carpet and drywall, and other tear-down materials later.
The expert water well guy is supposed to meet me Monday to test from scratch since Riverside County couldn't find earlier reports. I'm hoping all goes well here; it could take a big chunk of change to get decent water. I still need to wander around and see if I can find the other well seen in the photos.
Monday is also POD pickup and delivery day. What a great way to spend my furlough day (read as unpaid teacher vacation.)
BTW, I checked with Edison about costs to bring power out. They don't just quote, but I was able to have their project guy look on the map, and have him say it would likely be over 100k. Wow. (pause....) Wow. Pretty much makes that decision easy now, doesn't it? LP generator, solar, and wind it is.
Steve
Boo! It's $538 to put a 40 foot roll-off for our reconstruction mess (as long as weight is under 5 tons.) I called a couple of other guys, but they said that this is a good price. Whew! Whodathunkit? Anyway, they'll take it out there on Tuesday, and we can fill it up with the old carpet and drywall, and other tear-down materials later.
The expert water well guy is supposed to meet me Monday to test from scratch since Riverside County couldn't find earlier reports. I'm hoping all goes well here; it could take a big chunk of change to get decent water. I still need to wander around and see if I can find the other well seen in the photos.
Monday is also POD pickup and delivery day. What a great way to spend my furlough day (read as unpaid teacher vacation.)
BTW, I checked with Edison about costs to bring power out. They don't just quote, but I was able to have their project guy look on the map, and have him say it would likely be over 100k. Wow. (pause....) Wow. Pretty much makes that decision easy now, doesn't it? LP generator, solar, and wind it is.
Steve
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Verrrry Eeenterestink (Sgt. Schultz)
Well, this is an interesting observation. Lee B. looked on the bing.com map satellite photos and found another previous water tank on top of the hill with pipes coming down. He thinks the rusted out tank and metal well casing closer to the house were not used by the previous owners, perhaps deserted in previous drought when the water table dropped. I need to wander around up on the hill some more and see if I can find this other well.
Riverside County can't find the Well Completion or Septic reports, so I have to pay people to start from scratch! Yes, it's frustrating. The trash company that serves Lake Elsinore sent a supervisor out today to see if they can "find" the property. Really, find the property. I gave them the address and street directions, but they were unable to find it. This time, I gave them APN, satellite maps, and country-fied landmark directions. I'll call them tomorrow to see when I can get a dumpster out there.
I bought a very old motorhome from somebody on Craigslist for $300 (another $500 to get it out there) because it has a 6.5 kilowatt generator and a propane fridge. Son Michael thinks it will serve really well for site living quarters; we'll see. Monday, the POD will be taken out to the property. We'll put the stuff in the garage workshop and padlock it. Hopefully, people will see that folks are working here, and will stop vandalizing the area; again, we'll see.
Steve
Riverside County can't find the Well Completion or Septic reports, so I have to pay people to start from scratch! Yes, it's frustrating. The trash company that serves Lake Elsinore sent a supervisor out today to see if they can "find" the property. Really, find the property. I gave them the address and street directions, but they were unable to find it. This time, I gave them APN, satellite maps, and country-fied landmark directions. I'll call them tomorrow to see when I can get a dumpster out there.
I bought a very old motorhome from somebody on Craigslist for $300 (another $500 to get it out there) because it has a 6.5 kilowatt generator and a propane fridge. Son Michael thinks it will serve really well for site living quarters; we'll see. Monday, the POD will be taken out to the property. We'll put the stuff in the garage workshop and padlock it. Hopefully, people will see that folks are working here, and will stop vandalizing the area; again, we'll see.
Steve
Monday, October 4, 2010
My Kitchen
Today we started demolishing the kitchen of our homestead, in the process we took off the security covers on the windows and I could see the view. One is up the mountain and the other is across the future orchard to the road. I like both. I will be able to see the horses and watch for kids and grandkids driving in.
Todays purchases included a shotgun and a sledge hammer. The shotgun is for chasing off coyotes and other invaders. The sledge hammer for the rest of the demolition in the kitchen and bathroom.
Todays purchases included a shotgun and a sledge hammer. The shotgun is for chasing off coyotes and other invaders. The sledge hammer for the rest of the demolition in the kitchen and bathroom.
AAAARRRRGGGG!!!
This is really frustrating! Everybody else on my dirt road has one trash company, but I'm lucky enough to have my property in the annexed city of Lake Elsinore! The trouble is, you can't get to Lake Elsinore without going through Perris (obviously not France!) Trash company #2 can't find me either, and I'm waiting for them to get back to me so I can get some service. Right now, we need a dumpster to haul off deconstruction materials (old drywall, carpet, & other trash.) I'm sitting in Lake Elsinore city hall getting a printout to take to the city trash company. The annexation map shows that I'm the only one in my area in the city. (Take a deep breath.)
I'm also in trouble with my son for publicly posting that the drywall nails and screws also have to come out. Samuel, if you are reading this, "Thank you for all your good, hard work in taking out the drywall. I truly appreciate your efforts and family contributions. I'm sorry for posting negative feelings on your work."
More adventures to come!
Steve
I'm also in trouble with my son for publicly posting that the drywall nails and screws also have to come out. Samuel, if you are reading this, "Thank you for all your good, hard work in taking out the drywall. I truly appreciate your efforts and family contributions. I'm sorry for posting negative feelings on your work."
More adventures to come!
Steve
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Concerns
Out at our property today, I noticed quite a few dog-sized scat. Breaking one open with a stick, I found a lot of gray fur. Hmm, rabbit? mice? Kangaroo Rat? Yikes! We will definitely have to plan coyote-safe enclosures for any animals we bring with us.
Also, our area seems to be very popular for shooting guns. There is a gun club close by, but it sounds like shots are coming from everywhere. Several friends have told us that we need to get a gun, but I waffle between wanting to protect my loved ones by showing aggression, and fear of escalating violence by demonstrating aggression. Any thoughts either way appreciated.
We're still having problems finding the Well Completion Report from the County of Riverside; have to check tomorrow again with County guy, and check City of Lake Elsinore. We also need to get a trash dumpster on the property to get rid of old carpet, drywall, and other deconstruction to come.
The boys will go back out tomorrow with drill to take out screws and nailbars to finish cleaning out the old drywall. Seems funny that you have to tear down before you can build up.
Here's a couple of pics I took today.
Also, our area seems to be very popular for shooting guns. There is a gun club close by, but it sounds like shots are coming from everywhere. Several friends have told us that we need to get a gun, but I waffle between wanting to protect my loved ones by showing aggression, and fear of escalating violence by demonstrating aggression. Any thoughts either way appreciated.
We're still having problems finding the Well Completion Report from the County of Riverside; have to check tomorrow again with County guy, and check City of Lake Elsinore. We also need to get a trash dumpster on the property to get rid of old carpet, drywall, and other deconstruction to come.
The boys will go back out tomorrow with drill to take out screws and nailbars to finish cleaning out the old drywall. Seems funny that you have to tear down before you can build up.
Here's a couple of pics I took today.
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