141031 Draining the upper half of the pond

141023 using the drive -- ta dah!

Greatness is not in where we stand,

but in what direction we are moving.

We must sail, sometimes with the wind

sometimes against it.

But sail we must, and not drift

nor lie at anchor.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

After a long difficult struggle with the permitting authorities and their requirements and regulations we have finally completed our road into the property It took a lot of hardwork, planning, patience, research, persistence some good luck to have the right people helping us. It does not look like much but it was quite an accomplishment.

141022 Road is done!

Bill and Jamie place last piece of matting down before last load of gravel is dumped!!!
Cold and dreary day.

141018 Mr Studley, Hay House gets a redux, Top terrace....

Dozer making terrace at top of hill

Hay Hoop House gets a redux.

Mr Studley pining for the ewes.

A handsome ram lamb.

141017 The Road.....

This dim and dreary, drizzly day,
Dave and dozer paved the way.

A southward view,  last year in 2013 from the front lot, we did not know it then but the road would come off
be on the left side of this picture.

141013 The road culvert extension goes in ... but not without a fight.

Dang! the pipe does not fit even though the outfit that makes them says they should.

Dang! the coupler won't make it work either.. Now what to do.....

A little deformation here.... and a little deformation there....

141011 Survey work in October

We are placing stakes strategically and sighting elevations and distances to mark off the boundaries of the pond.  This is from the south end of the pond toward Turner's Road Culvert.  It rained all spring and summer this year, but the fall has been extraordinarily dry. Finally we have been able to work in the area of the pond.

Here we are sighting up the road to the knoll to correct the elevations according to the plan.  There is a 20' change in elevation from the surface of the pond to the highest point on the knoll. The pond surface will be 10-15 above the normal height of the Genesee River.  The northward river flows, that once regularly inundated the entire watershed, are now modulated by a dam about 25 miles to the south.  The Mt Morris dam was completed in 1952. In 1972 Agnes almost caused the topping of the dam. That was considered to be a 300 year event.

141005 First taste of Fall

Dramatic fall sky covers the progress on the road and pond area.

Pickerel Frog inhabiting the pond