Axing downed trees is fun.
Axing downed trees after slipping on ice and smashing your tailbone is NOT so fun.
I generally prefer the ax to the chainsaw, for no other reason than that the physical act of swinging feels so much more rewarding. My target for today was also still half-buried in ice/snow, despite the fact that the world is melting. Since I couldn't see how far deep I needed to cut, I would have been more comfortable using the ax even if I didn't like it. I needed to make two cuts.
Sadly, on this morning's hike, I slipped on the ice going downhill, soundly slamming directly onto my tailbone.
So glad no one was around. The exclamations of agony rivaled Nancy Kerrigan.
Only a few swings in, I knew I was going to have a rough time. The pain resonating up from my hindquarters after the impact of each blow was almost as bad as falling all over again. I valiantly toiled through one of the planned cuts (of course it had to be a hardwood!!), and then waddled back home to nurse my pride.
I think I'll be finishing the job with the chainsaw.
A short but sweet cautionary tale. Watch out for the ice!
Sabtu, 15 Maret 2014
Senin, 10 Maret 2014
Poop party!
It feels like winter is letting go today...though I know that's not true. A couple more inches of snow expected within the next few days, and back to the 20s!
The driveway is a river of snowmelt, but it will take more than a day to vanquish this winter blanket. We enjoyed the warmth on rounds today, and the lovely sunshine.
We did NOT enjoy the EXCESSIVE amount of dog poop occurring on the trails. That's right, I said ON. Folks, please be responsible pet owners, and pick up after your dogs. And keep them on leashes. My dog is on a leash. My dog's poop is in a little blue baggie. If you need a baggie, stop by the cabin--I have many! I'm not sure why this little problem comes in phases like this. Sometimes it's fine, and sometimes its a poop party. And I can tell the difference between coyotes' and dogs'. Trust me.
The driveway is a river of snowmelt, but it will take more than a day to vanquish this winter blanket. We enjoyed the warmth on rounds today, and the lovely sunshine.
We did NOT enjoy the EXCESSIVE amount of dog poop occurring on the trails. That's right, I said ON. Folks, please be responsible pet owners, and pick up after your dogs. And keep them on leashes. My dog is on a leash. My dog's poop is in a little blue baggie. If you need a baggie, stop by the cabin--I have many! I'm not sure why this little problem comes in phases like this. Sometimes it's fine, and sometimes its a poop party. And I can tell the difference between coyotes' and dogs'. Trust me.
Minggu, 16 Februari 2014
Updates!
Where have I been!?
So sorry.
It is a great irony to me how often I hear the questions:
"How are you holding up out there?"
"Are you staying warm in the cabin?"
"Is that outhouse heated?"
"Are you stuck?"
Ironic, because they make this winter in the woods seem such a hardship. But the answer to all of these is that it is fine. It is more than fine. The furry Duke and I, we are winter folk. Truth be told, when I am not slaving away at school work, we are outside scurrying through the trees about 2 hours a day. With all the snow, I've wanted to keep tabs on all of the leaners, to be on top of fallen branches in the trails. I like to track the boot steps of visitors to see where they go off trail and why. I like to look for the deer in the early morning (encountered a herd of ten, walking single file down the trail this AM).
But that's enough words, I suppose. Instead, enjoy some photos. I made sure to take some from out on the lake today! I've been meaning to do so for a while. Happy winter to all. May it drag out indefinitely!
So sorry.
It is a great irony to me how often I hear the questions:
"How are you holding up out there?"
"Are you staying warm in the cabin?"
"Is that outhouse heated?"
"Are you stuck?"
Ironic, because they make this winter in the woods seem such a hardship. But the answer to all of these is that it is fine. It is more than fine. The furry Duke and I, we are winter folk. Truth be told, when I am not slaving away at school work, we are outside scurrying through the trees about 2 hours a day. With all the snow, I've wanted to keep tabs on all of the leaners, to be on top of fallen branches in the trails. I like to track the boot steps of visitors to see where they go off trail and why. I like to look for the deer in the early morning (encountered a herd of ten, walking single file down the trail this AM).
But that's enough words, I suppose. Instead, enjoy some photos. I made sure to take some from out on the lake today! I've been meaning to do so for a while. Happy winter to all. May it drag out indefinitely!
Minggu, 12 Januari 2014
Development
Looks like some new development plans for Saginaw's neighbor: http://www.mlive.com/business/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2014/01/176-home_subdivision_proposed.html
The woods are already bordered by quite a bit of development and impervious surface. This has been detrimental to the creek that runs through the property. New development might lead to new problems in these parts.
The woods are already bordered by quite a bit of development and impervious surface. This has been detrimental to the creek that runs through the property. New development might lead to new problems in these parts.
Sabtu, 04 Januari 2014
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!
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!
Sabtu, 21 Desember 2013
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.
We haven't had any deadfall, which is nice: it's given me time to sharpen the tools en masse.
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| Early during the big snow day. |
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| Captain Snowbeard |
We haven't had any deadfall, which is nice: it's given me time to sharpen the tools en masse.
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| Noms. |
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| Later in the snow day. |
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| 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.
Jumat, 06 Desember 2013
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.
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.
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.
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