Friday, June 8, 2018

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!

14 comments:

  1. When we worked at Monck Provincial Park we had a resident doe that had a slit in her ear too...we named her Notcho. Maybe Jim and Harry were looking at the wrong ear? You guys sure keep busy!

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    1. That is a great name for that deer, I think I will steal it!

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  2. Gotta love your friends, Jim! Hope you eventually get your scope.

    Wow! That is a lot of work. You and your neighbors are very patient people.

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    1. It is nice to have someone to help with the projects and bounce ideas off of. Goes a lot faster than just one person doing it.

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  3. I am thinking that we may cancel our trip. It looks like too much work and that is what I am trying to get away from.

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    1. Oh there will be some work involved when you visit but you can just sit back with a cold beer and watch!

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  4. How nice helping each other out. Those steaks looked great! Maybe if you're a good boy Barb might get you a scope for Fathers Day. Unless there are some much needed accessories to go with her (new) camera!

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    1. Well, she did order a new camera which should be here tomorrow, so you may be right about her getting an accessory for Fathers Day!

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  5. What type of house is Kevin building, Jim? Those look like heavy timbers on that last trailer load.

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    1. His house is going to be very similar to ours. The beams are for the car port, the porch and the supports for his loft inside the house.

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  6. Would never have attempted the "pitless" install. Would have been way out of my comfort zone, good work on all the projects. Steaks look like mini roasts but I bet they were awesome off that fire! That Dodge doesn't look that old and we won't get into the Chevy pulling it. Likely a Ford hooked to the Chev out of the pic lol. There was a recall on my '14 Dodge water pump, maybe check it out and get some cash back.

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    1. The Ford was actually hooked to the back of the Dodge as I had to tow both of them to the mechanic!

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  7. Going to enjoy reading about the house construction! I'll stay away from adding to the truck comments:)

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    1. It is going to be a slow process but we are looking forward to it too!

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