Good morning!!!!

[sodamo]

Nice Splitter

 

[sodamo]

I always keep extra plumbing fitting but somehow manage to be missing a crucial one at project time. wife says I have a mini HD with all the extras I have. In spite of her urging so I never take them back. The good news sometimes it pays off and saves a trip.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

RNG, I'm worried that your version of remediation and the state's will be 2 different versions. Keep us posted. I beg to ask, do you feel like their emergency maneuvers might have saved your home?

In a word, NO. Calfire "finished" today, essentially walking out before the job was done, leaving me with a huge mess to clean up. The main fire line was cut east of the house, with the fire on the west side, then the home, then the fire line. They cut another line on the west side of the house, but like the main line, it was through the short grass I'd so laboriously cleared, rock picked, disced, dragged, sown and weeded for several years to get established. Even if it had burned, the fuel content was so low it would have been easily stopped by the decomposed granite covering the last 25'-30' to the house. Calfire's "help" has effectively put me back to where I was five years ago, starting over with bare rock infested ground that will need all of the back breaking prep work to be repeated. I can't believe I sat there like a dummy and let them ravage what was already there that would do what they said was necessary. To add insult to injury, they actually spread dry brush slash over the lower portions of what they had cleared, claiming it was needed to stop erosion. This in spite of me pointing out that what they were really doing was to create a path for fire to propagate up the slope, throwing embers as it came, effectively creating a fire hazard to my home. And all this over my objections, and showing them the undamaged portions of the upper meadow demonstrating that the erosion control mix grasses planted there had stopped all erosion, and would have effectively stopped wildfire spread as well. I guarantee you this: Next time Calfire comes knocking with their dozers and such, I'm gonna tell 'em to go F**k themselves. unch:ullinghair:

 

[rswyan]

D**n RS, you sure know how to build you some splitter! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

RNG,

Thanks.

It's functional for the moment ... which should allow me to get most of what I have here split, before the weather gets bad.

I have a number of things I still plan on doing to upgrade/tweak it, some of which I detailed in the build thread.

I'll probably do some of them sooner (or even immediately), and the rest will have to wait until later.

I really, really do want to get some paint on it before I run out of good weather.

Sorry to hear that No. CalFire didn't do right by you ... truly gives new meaning to "We're from the government ... and we're here to HELP you ..."

 

[rswyan]

Nice Splitter

David,

Thanks.

I've been enjoying reading about your travels to Germany ... sounds like a great time :thumbsup:

Best ...

 

[RoyJackson]

2016-09-13, 0344

50 right now...heading up to about 80 today.

Went to a zoning meeting in Bethel last night...interesting. The White River flows through Bethel and, when Irene hit about 6-7 years ago, quite a bit of the town and outlying areas (as well as much of south central Vermont) was flooded. A fair amount of land along the White River is designated flood plain (including my field), but now the town (and state) wants to establish a river corridor (narrower than the flood plain) with severe restrictions on any type of development (this means anything one wanted to do on their property, not like a housing development or apartments). Most were against it, as was I, for number of reasons. The restrictions on building an outbuilding..or replacing an existing building, are onerous. Building size would be restricted to 100 square feet (not much of a pole barn, eh?).
My concern is the people who came up with this plan have an agenda that is not to the benefit of the citizens of Vermont. We'l see how it goes, but since the opposition to the plan was vocal and boisterous (as well as a majority), I think the town's select board will take pause and reconsider.

 

[Eric Salop]

Maybe I missed it at one point, but I notice the undercarriage of something old in the water. Looks to be some leaf springs.

Story I was told is that many years ago that cart broke loose from the top of the hill and was left smashed up where it landed. After that the farmer pushed earth into the ditch and flooded the area. The 3 acre pond around the cart first showed up on maps from early 1970's.

 

[Eric Salop]

Even with the sun shining, the chatter of the swallows is missing this morning. Maybe, if they are still packing their bags, they will be persuaded to stay a little longer, as forecasters say we could be in for a very pleasant next few days, with warm weather drawn up from southern Europe.


Gary, congrats on 29 years together. When your wife asks you to stain the wood again after you've spent a lot of time cleaning it up, I'm sure you will, as you know how to make a good marriage last. My wife would go and pick a dark stain, or "aged silver", just to test me out


Drew, empty shotgun shells make great covers for garden bamboo canes, stops them poking you in the eye while bending over.

 

[Thomas]

48F now low 80's for high.
Soon heading down the to valley for 8 hours of the grind.
After work plan on taking weed trimmer for 2 hour walk.

Enjoy the day all.

 

[Buppies]

66 high of 86 today 90s by Wednesday rain by Friday which we need badly. RS nice log splitter very well done and nicely thought out.

RNG sorry they left you such a mess

 

[ronjhall]

Poured second cup of coffee. 57° with clear skies this morning. Heading to 81° with lots of sun. Going to a local flea market today.
Happy Anniversary Mr. & Mrs. Gary.
Good Morning All.

 

[wngsprd]

63 going to 86 and more humid.

Well, glad I got most of the mowing done yesterday.

Gary, congrats to you and your wife!

RS, they are huge rounds...good job on your lift and splitter tackling them.

David, looked up Vilshofen on my atlas, and will follow you down the Danube. Happy sailing! (and eating).

RNG, I feel for you.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Good morning all, 64 this morning going to 90 with some fog this am. Plan on working on the pantry today but I have come to know about the best laid plans of mice and men, will see what comes. Hope to make it to the wood turners meeting tonight, will see.

RNG My dad always said if you want to mess something up get the government involved.

David, I think I would have to rent a broom closet to afford that trip.

RS I like the splitter, well thought out.

Have a great day Ed

 

[daugen]

cooler today, a relief high sixties going to mid 80's. Well it took us until Sept 13 for someone to mention that four letter s word.
off to get a haircut, then back to mow some more. And continue grappling brush. Going to try to drag some logs out onto more level ground; picking heavy stuff up on a slope does not make for comfortable moments. Hoping to get my fireman neighbor to help me this morning.
going downtown to pay for my new to me tractor. Maybe that will get it delivered today. Then not much else will get done...

RS, are you limited by power of the cylinder or the whole thing tipping over from all that weight on one side?
I run into the same kind of big stuff, boy that looks handy.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

In a word, NO. Calfire "finished" today, essentially walking out before the job was done, leaving me with a huge mess to clean up. The main fire line was cut east of the house, with the fire on the west side, then the home, then the fire line. They cut another line on the west side of the house, but like the main line, it was through the short grass I'd so laboriously cleared, rock picked, disced, dragged, sown and weeded for several years to get established. Even if it had burned, the fuel content was so low it would have been easily stopped by the decomposed granite covering the last 25'-30' to the house. Calfire's "help" has effectively put me back to where I was five years ago, starting over with bare rock infested ground that will need all of the back breaking prep work to be repeated. I can't believe I sat there like a dummy and let them ravage what was already there that would do what they said was necessary. To add insult to injury, they actually spread dry brush slash over the lower portions of what they had cleared, claiming it was needed to stop erosion. This in spite of me pointing out that what they were really doing was to create a path for fire to propagate up the slope, throwing embers as it came, effectively creating a fire hazard to my home. And all this over my objections, and showing them the undamaged portions of the upper meadow demonstrating that the erosion control mix grasses planted there had stopped all erosion, and would have effectively stopped wildfire spread as well. I guarantee you this: Next time Calfire comes knocking with their dozers and such, I'm gonna tell 'em to go ___ themselves. unch:ullinghair:

Wow, sorry for your troubles. Wildfires change everything, and take no prisoners. Does the state have some sort of verification plan for home owners like you that take multiple steps to safe guard against fires? If they local fire chief came and offered recommendations and they were done, then when a fire breaks out, the fire breaks would already be in place and the fire fighters can go to the next property...


RS, what a beast. I have the same engine on my walk behind tiller. I changed the oil that shipped in it before using it, and then again after an hour of use. So far, so good.

David, thanks for posting pics. I enjoy looking at them. I was wondering about how much "off boat" walking would be encountered? The river is in the basin, and everything is uphill from there.

 

[txdon]

Good morning! Back from Houston where I had my 36 month review for the Century Heart study. No test on this visit just a review of diet/exercise. They could think of no recommendations for improvements looking over my filled out survey and 3 day diary and said I was doing everything right, lots of encouragement. The final tests comes in 24 months with a PETscan/treadmill/blood work.
They have 1200 in their Study and are still taking more if anyone is interested, just google Century Heart Study to see if you qualify. If you are taking a statin and have a family history you probably qualify.

Clear skies 71˚ clear skies, heading to the 90s. The wind has started from the south again - humid and hot.

Drew my first grapple was a solid bottom grapple. While these are good for people who remove debris at construction sites they are too heavy and catch too much dirt for good limb/brush removal which I need. I bought my solid bottom used and sold it quickly with very little loss and bought the open bottom grapple. It works a lot better. Just buy one that covers your FRONT tires, no wider. Even though my bucket is 72" my grapple is 57" (50HP tractor) and that size works best. Many here on TBN also prefer a smaller grapple than their bucket for mobility, improved concentrated strength, and weight.

RNG it's a shame they destroyed you erosion control for the fire line. The Texas Forest Service does the same out here with their bulldozers during brush fires. They do not make any attempt to make it like it was before. After the fire is controlled they are gone and everything else is left for the land owner. I was surprise to hear from you that they were still hanging around doing any sort of land repairs after the fire was stopped. Do you have laws in California that protect fire crews from lawsuits from land damage in controlling a fire? In Texas you would be fighting an uphill battle that you would not win.

 

[daugen]

went down and paid for my Massey, they will deliver it tomorrow, AND bring back my 1968 Cub Cadet 125 that they have had for three months. They got the steering wheel replaced, a new fiberglass dash installed, all cheap parts off Ebay, yippee. Now I can put it to work as a cart hauler. Probably my only implement that won't get dirty...after 48 years this old girl gets light duty. So, two "new" tractors go into service tomorrow. Don't know if I can stand the excitement.

headed down to the barn to put the ballast box on the back of the Kubota so I can grapple heavy tree logs more safely. My neighbor was off work and he's going to pull the utility trailer with his pickup so I don't have to use the tractor for that, freeing up the three point. I'm a nervous Nellie when things start to tip or wheels come off the ground so I'll be happier with more weight back there. Seatbelt on, seatbelt on...
this time I'll try to remember my camera.
First I have to clean out a full load already in the trailer and add that to the burn pit.

I always have a charged hose line ready and close to the fire, dampen it down if it flares up too big.
My woods is 75 feet away, no way am I lighting up those pine trees. Until the fire dies down some, I don't leave it either,
like a pan on a hot stove, you walk away and you'll get burned in all the wrong ways.
going to be quite the bonfire this afternoon when I light this all off.
I remember teaching friendly fire vs. unfriendly fire in insurance training classes.
An unfriendly fire is one that leaves the confines of where it's supposed to be.
RNG has a lot of unfriendly fire...

have a great day guys.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Wow, sorry for your troubles. Wildfires change everything, and take no prisoners. Does the state have some sort of verification plan for home owners like you that take multiple steps to safe guard against fires? If they local fire chief came and offered recommendations and they were done, then when a fire breaks out, the fire breaks would already be in place and the fire fighters can go to the next property...

We have a fire safe council, volunteers that visit people's homes and make recommendations for defensible space, landscaping, and grounds keeping steps designed to protect against wildfire. Their recommendations carry no weight at all; when it comes time to bring out the dozers, it's all up to the man in charge. I locked horns with the one that ordered the original damage yesterday, even though I unwittingly cooperated with him previously. They're used to ravaging unmaintained woodlands and meadows, not ones wrested from natures grip and manicured to near lawn status. Even though I took my concerns to the person in charge of the remediation efforts on this side of the canyon, I got little more than a shoulder shrug when I explained how physically demanding the work in front of me will be. I will be looking to appeal to some higher up authority, but I suspect I'll hear little more than "sorry, we're out of money for that kind of work". And a legal battle isn't worth what would be recovered for damages, so likely they'll end up getting away with it.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Good Morning! 55F @ 6:15AM. Rain showers early with bright sunshine by the afternoon. High near 75F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

Just heard a few sprinkles hitting the steel porch cover, and it would be nice if something more fell. Calfire ordered a water truck to wet the driveway down several times a day during their stay, but the dust is so deep where they were running the dozers that I almost lost a boot to suction yesterday.

David, your cruise may turn into the world's longest progressive meal! And all those food pictures may have all of us fighting the belt line battle right along side you! :laughing:

I spent about three hours yesterday afternoon after the fire people left moving the "firewood" off the grass hillside where it was stacked, over to my little wood yard. They'd dozed a short access road to the bottom of the hill, ending below the pile, but it was badly side sloped and the tractor felt quite tippy going in. That led to many passes with the box blade to get the way more level, and bury a huge rock in the middle that pushed the uphill track even higher. Moved about a dozen and a half bucket fulls of wood, probably a half cord or so, and it looks like there's maybe two or three cords left along with a couple of small trees that they didn't manage to mangle. They said they were going to punch the road all the way around the base of the hill, but then backed out yesterday, claiming that the parks people would object. That led to an argument about just where the park boundary lay, a futile pursuit because the land has never been surveyed and GPS accuracy might be plus minus forty feet on a good day. I was very close to kicking them all off the property at that point, and insisting that a parks representative take part in the deliberations going forward. I'm glad I held my tongue, as even more bureaucratic meddling would have resulted. I think my best path forward is to let this sleeping dog lie for a while, then gradually clear the sticks with which they've covered the lower reaches of the hill using a landscape rake. They did leave me with 200 lbs. of the same erosion control mix I used before, which is a start but not nearly enough to do the job properly. But it was all that was in stock at the feed store where I'd purchased it before.

I'll take advantage of this morning's cloudy weather to make a trip over the mountains to the Reno area Tire Rack distribution point to pick up five new tires for the van, then swing by Cabella's while I'm over there to see what's new. And maybe snag a few more boxes of 22LR; a fella can never have too much of that stuff! Hopefully I can get back by early afternoon in time to move some more wood.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

In just a few minutes searching, there seems to be plenty of people upset with CalFire's practices. Among them SPI, the state's largest landowner and the nation's second largest lumber company:

Opinion: Recent scandals put CDF in line of fire;