New Year

Happy New Year!

After having the flu for the first half of the break, Leto and I are now fully enjoying vacation in the woods.

Despite all the snow, deadfall has not, thus far, been an issue as of late. We'll see after this weekend when another foot piles on to everything we already have!

The trails have been extremely popular with the cross country skiing crowd, and we've been getting in on the action with some skijouring. The whole wood has been beautiful, calm, and peaceful under this blanket of snow. I haven't seen a winter this good since elementary school. I feel very grateful to have it now, my first winter in the cabin. And no, that was not meant to be in the least bit sarcastic. It really is a joy!

Catching up

It has been awhile!

Sorry about that. Though we've been out and about every day here in the woods, I've had so much schoolwork to do on my computer that writing for the blog was absolute lowest priority. Things are slowing down though. Only one more assignment to go, and I guess I'll be working on it over the break.

Good news--the second water sample came back clean. But because we're all a little wary now, an extra test will be done on my tap in January. But we're back to using it anyhow. Sort of. The sink is full of dishes still from a little holiday party. I can't really find the tap.

We are very sad to see the snow melting. Leto and I are huge fans of winter. Rounds are always the best part of our day, but in a good snow that is more true than ever.

Early during the big snow day.

Captain Snowbeard

We haven't had any deadfall, which is nice: it's given me time to sharpen the tools en masse.

Noms.

Later in the snow day.

Creeping awfully close to the top of my 12 inch boots!

We had many a cross-country skier. It was nice to see everyone out and about enjoying the snow!

'Til next time.

Worst blogger ever.

Hi again.

Sorry for the absence. Ironically, I have been on my computer almost 24/7 clicking away on projects as the semester winds up, but blogging has been very low on the list of priorities. This semester has completely slipped out of control, for me and all of the other second year landscape architect students!

But that doesn't mean that things haven't been happening out here in the woods. I would probably have lost it by now if I didn't have to go out and about in this place every day.

We recently got a new heater! [Applause] The older one was malfunctioning, and rather than going on a desperate search to locate replacement parts, it was decided that the cabin was simply overdue for an upgrade.

Ain't she a beaut?

Last post I mentioned that the water was being sampled. Tragically, a second visit was required to our tap today--traces of dioxane were detected from the initial sample. Leto and I have been using that water, naturally, so it's quite a bummer. I'll give you more details after Monday, when the results from the second sample are available.

I should have definitely posted this little tidbit day of, but look who was featured on Mlive on November 20th!
It was a little strange being followed around over the course of two days, but it turned into a nice little feature. Leto was, of course, the star of the show.

At 1 o'clock an entourage of SNRE facilities folks will be out here on their last leg of visiting-the-SNRE-caretaker-properties day. I will be showing them some issues of concern--there are hopefully some changes on the way for the storage facilities!

This past week I've noticed a LOT of coyote scat when out on rounds. Let this serve as a reminder to all of you (particularly those of you who I have to tell every single time) to keep your dogs on a leash.

Tis the season of conifers, axes, and mice

I really need to remember my camera for photo taking on the trail. I always, always forget.

I was shocked to come home during the recent massive weather event to power and no trees in the driveway. I was on my way home from Boston and drove right through the doppler "red" in Ohio. There were a lot of branches down, and two falls that required the axe. One, an ash, fell across the boardwalk. Oh, ash. Takes so long to hack. Fortunately, the pup got to play with a fellow canine walking past while he waited.

The woods have taken on a whole new character with the changing seasons. The conifers are having their time in the spotlight. It's been a delight, taking my usual walks but noticing so many young stands evergreens that had been hidden behind shrub thickets.

I've had some mice hanging out in the cabin, pooping where I prep my food. Bought live traps yesterday, and already had success. They are released across the lake. Hopefully they won't be able to get in once the sealing around the chimney is fixed.

Tomorrow is an eventful day. Well, "eventful." The water is being sampled, and I'm getting a new (functional!) heater. So pleased.

Mixed-Bag Morning

This morning we hopped a bit from job to job.

Task number one was taking care of a downed tree across the trail. I made quick work of it with the axe and moved it all aside. It was one of those really satisfying last cracks, where the last inch or so just totally ripped through with the final blow. After all the wind last night, I was fully expecting more than one to be down. I was surprised that this wasn't the case.

Next stop was the front gate. I've been wanting to work on the honeysuckle patch growing alongside the road. It is a huge obstruction when looking at oncoming traffic. I often find myself guessing if the road is clear and gunning it, so I can't imagine what it's like for anyone driving larger, slower vehicles out of the forest. I got a large chunk of it, though I'll probably be going back for more.

Finally, today there was a lot of trash about. I don't know if it was the wind or what. Either way, walked around and picked it all up.

Less scary

The boardwalk was looking real grizzly and had started to feel kind of closed in and unpleasant. Went through it yesterday cleaning up the edges and picking up leaves and stalks that were forming large piles of debris. It looks great now, and feels wonderful to walk along. There's another tree down. Not big. I'll be headed over to it with the axe tomorrow morning.

Lots of wind today. We're a bit tired and chilly over here. Well, I'm chilly. The husky has his back feet stretched up to his chin and is sleeping on a pile of blankets. And my fleece robe. I don't have the heart to move him for it.

Deadfalls and photography

Hello again.

Last week's messy weather brought a number of trees down (including a whopper in the driveway!), so Friday was a busy day with the axe and the chainsaw. I admit, it's fun. Nothing makes you feel like Paul Bunyan more than swinging an axe. Paula Bunyan.

On Friday, a photojournalist from the Ann Arbor News/MLive came and followed me around while I worked and such. Guess there will be a photo essay about it coming up soon. It was a little strange trying to act normal when someone was snapping pictures. I'll probably look really sheepish in all of them.