Snow? Winter?

 Because our webcam showed not much snow we thought we might be able to drive into the cabin. Well, maybe if we had a hummer we would have made it but Mother Nature stopped us right after the turnoff from the Providence Creek Road.  Nothing a few shovels can't handle.

Next trip, think of a more elegant way to adhere insulation to the metal pump house door. Current solution isn't as beautiful as it is functional.

Poaching Ponds and Photos

 Seize the moment and grab a tree when we can. This spot is just before turning into our road and we weren't the first to thin out that thicket of fir trees. Looks like 2 other trees were cut in the last year or so. We thought we might put up a notice directing activity over to the USFS side of the road. The frog pond has some water and snow is still in the meadow all the way upstream. I just love this dramatic old snag surrounded by oaks.

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.