The Lot and Latest ATV Ride

Since I returned from my motorcycle trip on July 7th we have been up to The Lot a couple of times. Of course we continue with our clean up, but we did tackle putting in the dog run. We ran into a couple problems but, as of last weekend, the run is pretty well complete. The dogs (except Bru, who would rather stay in the RV) seem to like it just fine.

Not very exciting, but here are a few “under construction” photos:

Installing the gate

Original 8×12 run incorporated into new run

We finished the gate and added a sun shade over the 8 x 12 run before we finished; photos next time. Pam is pleased with the result and it sure makes it nicer for the dogs to be out of the RV for long stretches.

We are still having a few problems with the RV; mice are still getting in somewhere and the batteries are not charging as they should…may need to replace them.

Last weekend the nighttime temps dropped close to 40 and we had to fire up the furnace. In 2013 we winterized The Box by mid-September as nighttime temperatures were consistently dropping below freezing, so we have about 6 weeks of summer left. This year we will bring The Box home and take care of a number of small repairs, including checking out the electrical system.

A couple of other things to note: We saw our first deer on the property. A nice-looking doe came up the driveway. We happened to be eating dinner at the time and were able to watch her as she took her time checking out the dog run and finally wandering off.

Several hummingbirds have found the feeder. We like watching their antics.

It has been a wet summer. The burn pit closed due to flooding! We have a big load of stuff on the aluminum trailer to take to the pit as soon as we get word it is open. That kind of messed up our clean-up schedule so we will have to move to Plan B, just stacking stuff up ready to go on short notice.

So the clean-up continues but the major projects of the year (driveway extension, storage shed, and dog run) are completed. A few more loads of firewood for our friend Kathy Hall remain to be brought home and cut up, but that task can be done on day trips so will continue into late September and possibly October. We are very satisfied with the improvements we did this summer!

On to the second part of this post: My latest ATV trip.

I have not been out riding much this year, but took a few hours off last Sunday to visit the Swan River area (near Breckenridge) on my way home from the lot. My goal was to make the loop I had been unable to complete on my last outing.

The plan was to go up the Middle Fork of the Swan River, cut across a ridge on an established trail, then down the North Fork of the Swan and back to the truck. I had been on both drainages before so some of the scenery was familiar  but the connecting ridge would be new territory.

Although the day was overcast, and occasional drops of rain fell, it was a very nice 16 mile trip. (3 hours to complete.) Wild flowers, including Colorado Blue Columbine, were blooming in profusion, and streams were running pretty full making for some nice photos.

Colorado Blue Columbine

Middle Fork, Swan River

ATV (The Griz) on Middle Fork trail

I was fortunate in that I saw several mountain goats this time, a few with young with them:

Mountain goat with young, Mt. Wise

This youngster was getting a quick meal:

Young goat getting a meal from Mom

Finally, one last water shot of the North Fork of the Swan River:

North Fork, Swan River

It was very pleasant afternoon trip, and I passed a couple side roads (marked with Forest Service signs) that I will have to explore on my next visit to the area.

That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!

Pam’s Two Cents Worth:

With major projects done and mountain temps just about perfect, we find our work time at Sanderling is accomplished in short bursts, with time to rest in between.  Fields hauled up an old recliner and footstool in the truck this last trip. A future photo opportunity must capture him stretched out in the recliner (outside next to the RV), looking down the driveway at his view.  Driving back to the high desert after your time in the mountains, dropping down in elevation and feeling the heat increase, is almost painful.  We will be spending pretty much every August weekend at Sanderling this year.

Happy trails.