Time to Start a House Building Project!

You may notice that my last post mentioned nothing about me getting a new spotting scope. Well that because my “good” friends Jim and Harry kind of ruined it for me the other day when they were over. We were all sitting around having a beer when a deer walks out of the woods about 500 yards away. I get out my old spotting scope telling them that they can try and look through it and see the deer but all they will probably see is a brown blob since the spotting scope is old and crappy. Thinking “Bro Code” would kick in, I saw this as an opportunity for them to support me on my need for a new scope! But noooooo, Jim has to mention how this particular buck does not have a split in his ear like the one that he has been seeing.

I try to prompt him by saying that there was no way he could see that kind of detail with that scope. But he carried on and even had Harry take a look who confirmed that there was indeed no split on his ear. Barb, ever alert caught on and said “well that scope must be pretty good if you can see that detail! Foiled again..... by two of my so called buddies no less!

This week was all about Kevin and his fiancée Cheryl who came out to get a start on their future home. 

They came loaded for some serious work!

The first project was to install another section of culvert at the end of his driveway.....

Digging out the existing culvert to add extensions

Culvert installed, ready for some gravel!

Next up was getting the building site leveled, getting the forms for the concrete set up and burying the sewer lines

Leveling and getting forms up

Forms up, next came laying some pipe....

Forms up and plumbing in!

Then it was time to head to Rapid City to get a load of lumber....

Once that was done we put a pitless adapter on his well. This involved digging 6 feet down along the well casing, lifting the well pipe, installing the adapter to the pipe, cutting a hole in the casing and lowering the pipe and fitting the adapter into the plate installed on the outside of the casing. It has to go 6' underground to prevent freezing in the winter. It was an intimidating project but went well so now Kevin has water to his building site!

Pulling the well pipe

Installing the pitless adapter

 Last but not least we began his fencing project by drilling several holes and installing corner posts. We did not get this project completed so I hope to finish it in the next few weeks before he gets back.

The ground here is much softer than our area

Down goes the first pole!

It was not all work as we found time to have a incredible fire-cooked steak dinner over at Kevin's which friends Richard and Cheryl were able to attend as well!

Check out those steaks! (Cheryl, Kevin, Richard, Cheryl and Barb in the background)

Shawnee got to come along too!

Everything was going well until one morning when Kevin went to start his truck and it made a horrible noise and the serpentine belt shredded. He lost his power steering and eventually would not start at all. Fear not, GMC to the rescue and we towed this tired old Dodge to the mechanic!

Once again proving GMC's are better than Dodge's!

Ends up it was a little more serious than just the belt. Evidently the water pump seized completely snapping off the tensioner arm and when the belt shredded it also took out the crank sensor. All in all it ended up being about $1000 in damage but luckily we found a mechanic who could do the work in a little over a day.

We had another visitor to the ranch last week. This antelope is a first for us and stayed 4 days before moving on. Not sure if she will be back but it was cool to see her!

The antlers are continuing to grow on the elk over at Kevin's. This is the same elk we posted a picture of last week. Amazing how fast they grow! 

It was a busy 5 days and with those two departing just an few hours ago, we are anxiously awaiting Farmer Bob and Deanne to arrive this afternoon! We have a much different week planned, less work and more fun on the way!