Monday, January 14, 2019

More Catch-Up From My Blogging Hiatus

On the 21st of December we hiked the trail loop on the backside of our property that goes up to the high ridge and back.  We hadn't been on this trail since around about the first of December at which time we noticed that (uh-oh!) we had a lot of blowdown of trees that were blocking the trail.

So that day we took chainsaw and pickaroon and headed out to see what we could do as a clean-up effort before the trail was covered with deep snow.


As you can see by this spot that is open to sunlight, much of the piddly amount of snow we had gotten up to that time was melted.  Only four days until Christmas and our thoughts that day were that it didn't look like we were going to have a white Christmas.


Keeping the trail open through the woods is a constant challenge.  All the more so with the high, damaging winds we had had this past summer.  The maintenance of the trail is best done in the fall after the leaves are off the trees, but on the 21st with the little amount of snowfall left on the ground it wasn't difficult.


The ridge at the top of the loop is free of nearby trees, but this good-sized poplar from the ravine on one side managed to fall across the path.

It was a glorious day and we got our quota of exercise and fresh air.  And it turned out to be providential we went when we did because right after Christmas we got our first heavy snow which quickly put the kabosh on any more trail work until spring time.  We accomplished enough, though, that we can easily snowshoe or snowmobile the trail . . . if no more big trees decide to fall in an inconvenient (to us!) spot.

12 comments:

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

Is that all your land? How many acres do you have? How wonderful to have all those trees and trails (although I'm sure the upkeep is nonstop). -Jenn

The Wykeham Observer said...

So beautiful. Not easy work, but I'm sure rewarding.

wyomingheart said...

That's an awesome trail, but maintenance is always a pain in the tookus! I always say, thank heavens for chain saws!

wisps of words said...

You must have a lot of land, and very diverse too. Wonderful!

Except for the care and maintenance of it. ,-) But you enjoy this part too.

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Lynne said...

Does look like a lot of work. I bet it felt good to get it cleared, also out in the fresh air is good. You and Papa Pea got a good work out, Altho' you get plenty of that it seems. We're suppose to get a storm this week-end,but we'll have to wait and see. We haven't gotten any snow to speak of, not that I want any! Take care ! Liked the cross stitch. Good job!!

Mama Pea said...

Jenn - We have a little over 11 acres. Yep, the ridge is on our land. We also have access to land of our good neighbors on the west side of us who have a beautiful creek running through their land. In the winter when the stream is frozen, it's a gorgeous hike up it through the woods. We don't have to go far to experience all that nature has to offer.

Phil - Now that we have a tractor, hubby is eager to push roads through the woods so that we have an easier way to bring downed trees for firewood back to our house. That will make any trail clearing all the more beneficial!

wyomingheart - That's for sure! Makes cutting up the trees a piece of cake.

wisps of words - Our 11 acres are mostly wooded and the property goes steeply up in back so we're a bit limited in what we can do with it. Papa Pea wants to clear more of the woods right by the house so we can plant small areas of grain. That's possible, but not high on the list of "Wanna Do!" :o)

Mama Pea said...

Lynne - Gotta admit that on this task it was my dear husband who did most of the work . . . chainsaw guy that he is. I just cleared brush and limbs he cut and tossed the chunks of wood into a pile by the side of the trail. I had a bit of time to stand and enjoy looking around the woods!

Hope your storm doesn't turn out to be anything serious. We're going into a real cold snap starting tonight. Nasty high winds with it, too. Boo!

wisps of words said...

Jan. 16, 2019

Re: my post title....

Tee-hee-hee... I am BAD. I knew I'd *catch* some people, with it. >,-)))

Yes, I am bad!!!

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Rain said...

Hi Mama Pea :) I'm glad you got your snow. I'm enjoying my daily walks with Charlie in the woods. Snowshoes are definitely needed at this point. But she just bounces all over the place like a deer, deep snow doesn't seem to bother that dog!!

Mama Pea said...

wisps of words - That just makes you "badder" since you KNEW the havoc you would wreak!! ;o}

Rain - We need snowshoes when walking off the beaten path now, too. Even though we don't have the huge amounts of snow you do! Do you get the idea Charlie would be happy if she lived in winter time year 'round??

Rain said...

Definitely Mama Pea...I think if we had a better fence and a warm dog house for her, she'd never come inside...until summer that is lol...she appreciates it when we have air conditioning going! :)

Sam I Am...... said...

How wonderful you have your own trails but like anything in life...with it comes responsibility. It looks like a beautiful area where you live. BTW where are you? I thought you were in Minnesota but I could be wrong.
The timing on that chore was great too! Congrats!