Digging the Ditch

Conduit secured in the electrical box at the end of the line

Electrical conduit ready for installation from power pole. We finally had power to our property in Dec. 2008. Merry Christmas! Talk about appreciating life's' simple pleasures.
Life in the trenches

In order to get power to the property, Kirk had to use a lot of muscle in addition to his tractor to dig a deep trench 300ft long from the street back to the shop, so that an electrical box could be installed. We dug it deep enough, 3ft so that we could lay two lines of conduit plus an extra one for unforeseen projects down the road projects. Until one is literally up to their eyes in mud with a shovel one has not learned the meaning of the verb "to sweat".

Work Party

Work Parties really do separate the true friends from the faint of heart and we had a wonderful turn-out on a swelteringly hot day in July 2008. Several of Kirk's friends from the Forest Service turned out, also his brother Greg from Portland and son-in-law Kyle. Great day, huge work load accomplished and plenty of pizza and beer at the end of the day.

Foundation

Kirk put his new tractor to good use and leveled the ground for the foundation pour. Jim Crumley and son came on a very hot day and made easy work of it. I sweated just watching them work in jeans

Vacant Lot

We hauled some of the wood that we have accumulated over the years. Nice to think that one day it will be walked on.

The Property

The property before we started construction. Hereby lies a tale: or how Sarah "bought" this property on impulse while Kirk was away fighting a forest fire in Eastern Oregon in 2007