Black Oaks and Golden Leaves

Take this Colorado, we have fall color right outside the cabin window. During the summer the oaks recede into the background but in the fall the south west hillside shows it's stuff.

Unfortunately the other stuff, Raven stuff, persists. Cleaned up the deck and windows and put down more boards but the roost needs to be blocked off. 

Visitors around the Cabin

Some large bird is again perching on the rafters over the porch on the south side.  Among the white splats are pellets from some big bird. Note the little bones sticking out.  I was hoping they would be owl but after some research, it appears ravens also produce pellets. Mr or Ms Raven is a more likely visitor since we've seen them around the cabin before.

In addition to the birds, Smokey the Bear or a relative left a calling card on the trail to the pumphouse not far from the propane tanks.  Willy guarded it for us while I took these photos.  No other signs.  Probably just passing through.

Ready for Winter

The log cabin is drained with antifreeze in the drain traps, the new door on the pumphouse is insulated, the heat tape is plugged in, the firewood is back on the porch, etc. It was a busy 2 days but all is ready for winter.  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!

After Friday

We came back from the creek and the outside was spotless - ready for guests on Saturday.  The bats are on the front below, sheeting above, paper on the west bedroom and all the bats off under the porch.  Good progress

After Thursday

Work started on the front. They are apparently doing one side at a time and say the front will be finished by Friday evening in time for a big weekend with lots of company.  The original plan had to been to work Saturday but they won't.

After the first day they have all the bats and trim off the front and siding on below. They also sprayed a bunch of wasp nests that were under the eaves up above. Hard to see from the ground but there was one bigger than a softball and several smaller ones. Fortunately, most were empty.

Unloading

It is heavy material and can break so unlike wood, they could not slide it off the truck, but had to hand carry it.

Interestingly, two of the workers helped build the cabin originally.  Their father, Rick Rice, was the subcontractor for Ron Mattison who supplied all the carpenters.

Work has started on new siding

On Wednesday, Aug 13, the contractors and new siding arrived.  A crew of 3 is pounding away on the front of the cabin.  They are taking off the old "bats" and putting water proof paper and new concrete-based, woodpecker proof, sheets that look like plywood over the old plywood and then putting concrete stuff bats on top. So it should look the same without the holes and warping bats on the south side.

But first we had to empty the front porch, which Lou and Ann did to get our exercise Wednesday morning.

The wood is waiting to the side to be put back after all the work is completed.