I've been looking and saving up for years, and anytime something pops up it disappears before I can get down to it to have a good look.
This is not the idea lot as it was just forested, however on either side there is dense forest so offers some privacy. In total I purchased 5.9 +/- acres, they will be surveying the lot this week and closing on the 20th. The lot is pretty square, around 485'x530' in size with a right of way access road on one side. There is still some foresting going on way in the back along the Canadian border so the road is quite mucky now with all the big trucks driving though but I am told then once it dries a bit, one of the other owners in the far back had a big plow type machine that he uses to maintain the road and should be accessible by car by the summer. In the meantime I can park on the street and walk back. It is set back about 1500' from the road, so it is bit of a walk but still somewhat accessible... might be time for a 4x4! The land has a stream that snakes through the lot, at the current moment it is flowing quite quickly (maybe 8' wide and 2' deep) but I'd assume it is seasonal and may even dry out by the summer. Still, has some potential. When I look at Google Satellite there are tons of locals that have build small ponds around the stream... so I figured I would ask the local inspector whom basically said as long as I don't obstruct the flow (as in damming it) then there is not problem. I have however read plenty of horror stories on here so if that is really something in my future I will do my homework first and get the right permits. The land all around it dotted with small cabins and a few trailers. From the satellite view you'd swear they can all see each other but once on the land it is so quiet and peaceful, and feels very private despite the lack of trees.
Still not sure what I will finally do with the property. I have had several epidural injections into my spine recently to try to help with 3 herniated discs and 3 other flattened discs, all of which have not had much success. Still, I remain positive, and for now will use my popup trailer until some trees grow back and it starts to look more like a forest again. (I wonder just how long that'll take... any tips for fast growing trees in upper NY state?)
If I finally get surgery and feel better, then I will be back here with my cabin planning!
Anyways, just wanted to share. I will stop by the property again on the 20th when we do the closing to take some pictures to share with y'all. Can you believe after getting all the way out there and turning on the camera it died... (batteries). Just my luck...
[cool] Adam. Best of luck with the back issues too.
Congrats! What species did they log? Some will come back from the stump, the lower they are cut the better. These species were also adapted to the site so a good choice to replant. The state dept of forestry probably has a seedling sale going on now. For fast growing Eastern White Pine puts on growth pretty fast and provides good year round visual cover. I'll probably be harvesting and sawing some soon that are about 35 years old but ours do grow about twice as fast as those from the northeast, still once they take hold they will put on about 2' per year up there.
Good luck with the land. Nice to see another member in Upstate NY.
Thanks for the kind words. I am quite excited at the thought of being a land owner (besides for my cookie cutter in the city).
I'm not really sure what kind of trees were there already. I believe the area has a lot of cedar, pine, maple, and birch to name a few. The company that forested makes pellets for those wood stoves. Maybe once all the snow melts I will take some pictures of the stumps left behind and some of you might be able to help identify them. There are mostly thinner stumps (6-8" in diameter) however there are a few sporadic 18-24" stumps as well. They seem to have cut them pretty close to the ground, hard to tell exactly with the snow cover but I would guestimate between 6-8" from the ground.
I will outline the area I want to remain clear (mostly the higher and dryer spots) and everything else I will let either nature take over and/or help nature along by planting new trees (same species) just a bit older growth. My best friend also had 15 acres of land just up the street and told me I could take as many sproutlings as I'd like to help regrow my forest. I am hoping that I can transplant trees about 5-6' in height and have them take root. I will try a few first and see what happens. If all goes well, I might make a tree transplanting party and invite all my nephew's up for a party and make them work!
Northern white cedar is a nice tree in lower land, and a wonderful wood, but is very slow growing. Certainly one to encourage for long term. Pine and maple will be the faster grown, there are probably quite a few in the soil seed bank. Your local state forester is a good resource, get them out to take a walk with you. Ours are great about working with smaller landowners.
I will definitely pay them a visit this summer once all the paperwork is signed and I have my deed.
Been reading up on fast growing trees, and some are insanely fast growers. The Empress Tree (not a candidate for my area) can grow as much as 10-15' per year! One possible candidate is the Lombardie Poplar which can grow 8-10' per year, and is suited to my region. I have to make sure that whatever I choose is not an evasive species, but something that the NY state approves of. Doing some rough math... if I were to have to plant the entire 6 acres I would need to win the lottery! I am getting ahead of myself, I will close on the property first and then decide the next course of action... so fun.
Paulownia, the empress tree, is very fast growing and a fairly invasive non native. It is also quite valuable to the asian market when it has good form. I'm in the VA blue ridge and am just above the range where they do well, NC piedmont and south they do well. They hang on here but winter kill back to the roots quite often. Lombardy, hybrid poplar, is very fast growing and short lived. It could serve as an initial screen with longer lived species coming along behind it. Ailanthus, tree of heaven, is another very fast grower you might run across. VERY invasive, under no circumstances do you want that one, ever ever. Generally fast growers are short lived. Also hook up with your NRCS folks, natural resource conservation service, part of USDA, there may be some grant money available to help replant, seed, stabilize. For forest farming type plants that would screen you, blueberries, hazelnuts, chestnut... Badgersett Nursery has been doing good breeding work with the last two.
howdy, I have a camp in the southern tier of NY state and have been planting different speices for about 6 years now. The best and fastest growers in the evergreen family have been Norway spruce and white pine, Austrian pine. Now that's for my area. What county are you in? I have bought a lot of seedlings from the NY state tree nursery called Saratoga Nursery. Look them up online, they have some very good info. Its to late now to order for this year as you probably know. Good luck with the land and future cabin. My cabin is still a dream waiting to happen.
Thanks for the recommendations. This year I will more do research and find out what kind of assistance I can get from the state. I may also just transplant as much as I can from a neighboring lot. Idea is to plant the faster growing stuff just to get some cover and then concentrate on more of the long term. I'd love to get some nut and fruit trees going as well, and some berries bushes... maybe even a "wild" garden of sorts. Something that does not need constant tending to since there may be weeks or even a month period between visits.
The land is in Clinton Country, just on the border of Franklin County and a stones throw away from the Canadian border.
Not as pretty as the Adirondacks but price per pound (or acre) much more affordable. :)
I have been pondering something and can not seem to make up my mind.
I purchased 6 acres (approximately 488' wide and 535' deep), that is back from the road about 1500' or so with access rights (small dirt road on side).
The closing date has continuously been pushed back due to the surveyors being too busy and rescheduling.
That is a bit frustrating but what it has done is allowed me to save a few extra bucks.
I spoke to the agent and the land right before my land is still for sale, and if I wanted I could buy as many extra acres as money allows. I am debating between purchasing an extra 1.5 acres (to make 7.5 even), or just keeping the extra money for other expenses such as outhouse, 4-wheeler, tractor, whatever.
On one hand, that extra money could come in handy as I likely need to rent some equipment and/or tools if I am to work the land this summer (or to pay for trees to plant) for example. The land is already a decent size and once the forest starts to come back I should have all the privacy I need.
These lines were drawn out to encompass the entire stream, and since there is already a rock wall I did not see a point owning land on the other side of the wall since if I wanted to access it I would need to move the wall or make a hold/access to get through.
On the other hand, the land is selling very cheap... probably even cheaper if I am just adding to my existing contract. Once all the land has sold then there are no other options I am "stuck" with what I have. That might be fine but what if I regret not taking more in the future? Worse case, I leave the land alone for year and save some money to work on it next year. The access path is also nicer towards the road, and gets muddier as you go back and lower in altitude down the hill. The extra 1.5 I am considering would be towards the front of the lot so potentially better access.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any regrets either way?
Is 500'x500' a good size for peace and quiet? I think the actual size if 7.5 acres would be around 488' wide by ~669' deep.
Need some advice, time is limited. If I do make an offer, and it is accepted I won't have a penny left after closing costs.
BTW: How much are closing costs? I know what I own for the land, and I know I have an abstract to pay for... but what about the actual registration and other potential costs I may not know about?
Voice of experience - buy it. (1) Then if you can not get along with the current owner or neighbor that is your own fault... :D.... The alternative is (2) if someone else owns and you can not get along with them - see number one. I guess it is you own fault as well. Seriously the bigger - larger buffer the better.
However there is another side of the coin as I see it 1.5 acres is pretty small from my view point - will someone buy it? ??? We made a huge mistake not buying 180 acres that got parceled out. But then I am looking at it from a ranch stand point.
The entire parcel is 28 acres being parted out. I took a 6 acre section in the middle of that. The road front was sold pretty quick, so there is still around 6 acres in the back (but too wet) and and about 10 acres up front. The 1.5 was just what I think I can afford to extend the current 6 acre lot. Not much in the long run, but an extra ~134' of potential buffer from neighbors. If the wife was not on my back I would make a deal for the entire thing and just pay it off over the next few years but there are too many bills to think about that as an option.
You can always sell it later to someone of your choosing if you own it.
I bought six acres and about 5.5 are not buildable (very steep slopes). I'm okay with that because those 5.5 acres put me very far from the next house. My other boundaries are USFS land, so I'll hopefully never be watching my neighbors do whatever neighbors do.
If your land already feels secluded, i'd pass on the land. Think long-term though: Does it feel isolated now only because not many (any?) have built in the area? Does the extra 1.5 actually get you further away from this future growth? If you answer "no" to those questions, you'll probably be happy with your 6 acres.
Playing devil's advocate to my own argument: there's only so much dirt in the world. If you can swing it, you probably won't regret it. But think what 1.5 acres means in tools :D
Good luck.
Quote from: sapcpo on April 20, 2015, 07:35:43 AM
howdy, I have a camp in the southern tier of NY state and have been planting different speices for about 6 years now. The best and fastest growers in the evergreen family have been Norway spruce and white pine, Austrian pine. Now that's for my area. What county are you in? I have bought a lot of seedlings from the NY state tree nursery called Saratoga Nursery. Look them up online, they have some very good info. Its to late now to order for this year as you probably know. Good luck with the land and future cabin. My cabin is still a dream waiting to happen.
Sapcpo: are you sure you are not me?
Also from the southern tier of NY (hence my screen name), and I concur about the Norway Spruce and White Pine. I planted a ton of them and they grow fast. I also got mine from the NYSDEC nursery: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9395.html
My cabin is also still just a dream waiting to happen, but getting close says my accountant (otherwise known as my wife).
i understand what you are going through. I recently purchased a half acre boat access only, south facing lot which has a decent slope to it. Gulp what have i gotten myself into? This forum has given me the courage to move forward and i just recieved my septic aproval for a septic system that must include an alternate treatment plant AKA Mo Money septic system. I'm calculating I'll need some highschoolers to carry about 1200 #60 bags of cement all needing to be hand mixed up a steep trail and thats just the begining. This has to be the most difficult thing i've tried to tackel, or should I find a lot that is easier to build on i keep asking myself?
Thanks for posting the link, it gives me a good idea of what might be available and what the cost is.
Averaged 100 trees for $42. Pretty reasonable. Would probably do the perimeter of the property with fast growing trees, and then an inner perimeter of more bush/low growing trees/shrubs to give me as much privacy as possible. I figure I'd need around 800 miscellaneous trees to start, which would be around $350. Sounds like a heck of a lot of work though... :)
Quote from: Adam Roby on May 05, 2015, 06:26:46 PM
I figure I'd need around 800 miscellaneous trees to start, which would be around $350. Sounds like a heck of a lot of work though... :)
I'll just say this: I bought a lot fewer trees years 2-4 of doing this than I did the first year ;)
Also, they deliver them during peak black fly season. This is one of the few times you hope it rains when you have a task to do!
The estimated tree count might go up... I just made an offer for more land. Figured I only live once... and I can always save more for the toys later on but I would hate to look back and regret at least not trying for more. Just waiting for the seller to get back to me...
I figure I will transplant as many as I can this year, then whatever that number is I should be able to plant 10x more if I don't have to find them and dig them up first.
The seller accepted my offer, I have 7.5 acres in total.
Closing date is set for May 18th unless something is delayed again (surveyors if anything).
Meet with my surgeon on May 20th... gulp. Might not be doing anything this summer if they open me up... but at least the land will be ready when I am.
Quote from: Adam Roby on May 09, 2015, 08:47:16 AM
The seller accepted my offer, I have 7.5 acres in total.
Closing date is set for May 18th unless something is delayed again (surveyors if anything).
Meet with my surgeon on May 20th... gulp. Might not be doing anything this summer if they open me up... but at least the land will be ready when I am.
This a back thing?
Quote from: rick91351 on May 09, 2015, 09:34:42 AM
This a back thing?
Yeah... I have 3 herniated discs in my lower back, and 3 more a little higher that have deteriorated and may herniate soon. I had 2 foraminal injections under fluoroscope 2 months ago, and 4 facet injections 1 month ago, very little help. Left leg is 1/2 number, back is always sore, been on Voltaren for 2 1/2 years straight (not supposed to take it for more than 3 months). Surgery looks like the only option left... if the surgeon agrees. Scared to have someone work in there, but can't live like this for much longer.
Damn...
My father always had a dream of building a cabin. I used to see drawings scattered all over the place with different layouts and ideas he had. I suppose that's where I got it from. For as long as I could remember I wanted to build a cabin. I always wanted to be able to do it with him to fulfill both our dreams. I finally bought this land, step 1 in our quest. I was planning on waiting to close on the property this coming Monday, then go get him and bring him up to show him what I got for us.
Got a call from my sister saying she'd been leaving messages for 2 days now and he wasn't calling her back. So I popped in to see if he was doing alright. I will spare the details, but I got 911 to get us into his apartment and sure enough he had passed away. It had probably been a couple days since he had passed... I guess the coroner will tell us when they have completed their examination. Never got the chance to share the good news with him. Never got the chance to help him fulfill his dream as well. I guess that is always the case... he is survived by his 5 children, and 7 grandchildren. How am I supposed to explain this to my 5 year old daughter?
He was 74 years old, and was still working full time up to last September when he stopped due to a fall that hurt his back. That was the beginning of the end. Since then he started showing a lot of signs of fatigue, swelling in his face and one arm, and not wanting to leave his house. He was a hearty 165 lbs or so back then, and had dropped to probably 125 lbs since then. He refused to see a doctor for his ailments, and I respected that to some degree, just wonder if he'd still be with us today had he gone for a checkup. We knew his time with us was limited, but it is always a shock when it happens... especially when it is you that finds him.
R.I.P Dad. I love you.
I am so sorry to hear that. I don't know what else to say.
Thanks for sharing...... I so remember when I posted an obituary for my dad on here. Strange it was just something I had to do. No one knew him on here. No one really knows me on here. Yet I felt the need to share my grieving with my friends here. Sort of weird I thought at the time. However in some ways over the years of hanging out here some people stay very singular and private build a cabin or such and are gone. Others sort of become more than just that. I do sort of wonder if this type of media has become the new lodge or the corner bar that you hit on the way home for a cold one.
So with that said - sad to read of you loss. Hope you can complete his journey in life by building him a cabin. I smile to myself at times something I say or a cough or a sneeze now that sounded just like my dad. He may be dead but he is far from gone. I might also add that is one reason we built the house up here we did. Mom and dad always wanted to return to the ranch.............
Yup, just felt like I had to get it out. I am not on Facebook or Twitter (not ever sure what that is), I don't usually share anything with anyone... just felt right here. And I am sure there are plenty of us who got their desires for cabins from our fathers (or mothers) so can relate. I also know the vast majority of you are mature, nice honest people... some other forums you might get some negative replies. I remember reading another obituary here, I believe it was from you.
Trying to remember the good times... the smiles... the corny jokes. I get told often that "you are just like your Dad".
I am sorry for your loss. May the memories of your Father help you find peace.
Tom
Thanks for all the kind words. Funeral was this past weekend... was hard but we must go on.
I got a call today telling me that the closing date is now set for June 5th. If there are no more delays, I will finally have my deed to my 7.5 acre lot.
Then I got a call from my surgeon. Surgery on my spine is scheduled for June 16th, and I am to expect 4-6 weeks of recovery time.
There goes my summer... but, maybe next summer I will be well enough to work the new land. Have to remain positive!
I am wondering how appropriate a post/beam construction would be for a standalone roof.
Been doing the math, and unless I want to wait another 8-10 years before being able to build my cabin, I may need to initiate plan B - parking a trailer on my land to use in the interim.
One of the main problems I see with the trailers are their very flat roofs. Every one I have seen parked on a parcel of land somewhere remote wind up getting leaks in the roof and the subsequent water damage takes very little time to completely destroy the trailer.
If I go this route, I want to be able to build a roof system over the trailer to allow for some extra protection. On one hand I don't want to overdo this since, well, add a couple walls and you have a cabin, but I also don't want to cheap out and have to redo it every year.
I see two basic methods when searching the internet. The first is building a roof onto the existing roof.
(This is not exactly how I would do it but it gives a general idea)
(https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/kareninthewoods/sierralikeourswithroofover4.jpg) (https://s3.photobucket.com/user/kareninthewoods/media/sierralikeourswithroofover4.jpg.html)
The second method is to build something free-standing, that the trailer could technically be pulled out from should it need to be (and thus not causing any damage to it and keeping it resell-able if needed). Again I would not do it quite like this but to give an idea...
(http://www.reisscountryproperties.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IMG_0679.jpg)
And an extension to that idea would be to make the roof wider than the actual trailer, allowing for a covered deck, possibly screened off porch to exist under there as well, but at least a deck that can remain mostly dry.
I don't see a foundation as being a workable idea for this kind of structure. Post and beam seems like the only real choice here (also if this will be temporary I don't want to have to remove it later). There would be typical snow bearing loads, but much less lateral loads since there are no walls. I figure there would be a much higher need for uplift resistance with this kind of build. So I wonder if those deck screws that go 48" into the ground would be something to consider for this kind of a build? Or maybe a post every 4', one sonotube/cement/post - one screw/post - etc (so alternate between them)?
If I go through with this idea, I wonder if this would be a breading ground for bees and critters, wanting to live on my trailer roof since it is being protected from the elements. Would that potentially usable space be suitable for battery storage (close to the solar panels if placed on the roof)? I don't have any plans yet, I wanted to get some feedback and ideas before making a basic plan, so I can cost it out and see if it makes sense before going through with any trailer purchase. This would likely be a next summer project since my surgery is in a couple weeks... but might be nice to plan it over the winter so I am ready to go as soon as the snow melts next spring.
Adam there are lots of places up in the mountains of Idaho that people put those trailers under a cover as in your second photo. They work very good. Some get very elaborate with wind brakes and shade panels where needed and screened porch to the one side. The way we built our deck on the trailer pad was to side it. If we are going to pull it out to go somewhere we pull the deck away from the trailer. When we return I back it in and we just slide the deck back over. In the winter there is a need to climb up there and scrape the snow off. So wondering about just taking both fifth wheels down and parking them in the valley where there is not much snow or under cover at a rental storage place. We have two a little one and the big one. Love pulling the little one..... We can just fly with it and actually at times just the same fuel mileage.....
We see people using the factory made metal carport shelters for trailers.
nothing wrong with a bit of snow and a 5th wheel !
Ours was on site for 4 winters, only problem was the mice ! even though we'd filled in all the holes
We set a deck to one side and would have done a stand alone roof like the second photo above if we intended to keep it there long term.
For us obviousl issues were the snow and the sun,,,having it sat in the same position meant some of the graphics faded and some did not.
We would stay in the trailer even in the winter for our annual ski trip,, 3-4 weeks normally.
the rv would be winterised in autum, and when we visited we used bottled water for everything, then used a portable dump tank for the black and the grey was filtered and dumped into a drainage ditch.
Biodegradable soap for washing and a small plant sprayer instead of the flush.
We never put toilet paper in the tank, we had a seperate bin for that, and we did the tank dump on sunny days
Cleaning off the top of the slides after every snowfall was some work, but meant they didnt get iced up for the day we packed up.
We did get some water damage from one of the slides, where a moulding had popped and water got behind it and then ran along a aluminum strip and into a corner of the camper, we remidied it as soon as we saw the water but it had probably been leaking up to 6 months.
A good solid roof over the camper would have been an excellent idea, but the HOA certainly would not have been happy !
(https://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g165/POshaughnessy/Colorado%20Powder%20Ridge/P3020004_zpse8f26980.jpg)
This area has no HOA to worry about (very rural - very country side), and I am in from the road probably 1500'-2000' and the trailer would probably be in the center of a 7.5 acre lot so chances are nobody would even see it to worry about it. That also means no access from the first snowfall to the dry period of the spring/summer. I would like to go up in the winter to remove snow at periods but have to be realistic and account for not being able to get up there, so the more protection I can add the better.
My buddy's trailer sprung a leak, and the water quickly made a soft spot in the floor which a raccoon (presumably) found and dug up through the floor and lived in there for the winter. When we got to the trailer in the spring the entire thing was pretty much unusable. The critter(s) had defecated everywhere, broken everything in site, tore apart all the furniture (sofas and beds and the like) to make dens. Just the smell of urine in there is enough that we will have to rip out all the floors, probably the walls due to wet insulation/mold, and completely redo the roof. Probably be cheaper to scrap it and buy another trailer. I want to avoid all of this (or at least limit the chances) by building a full roof over the existing roof, to have double the protection.
Yours is a nice 5th wheel, are/were you completely off the grid in that, even in winter? I wondered how warm they would keep on propane heat alone, and how much it would cost per day to keep it comfortable.
we had a raccon in the gas bottle bay one of our visits and they scirmished through regularly looking for stuff, but luckily the never got inside....
we did fully off grid for 2 of the winters with the petrol onboard generator and another 2 running an extension lead from the newly installed mains board.
Propane was our only heat, till we had the electric on , then we used a couple of small electric heaters during the night, we like it cool anyway for sleeping, with the electric on we then used the garage at the back too for our daughter
During the day the big main windows kept the whole thing warm, we only needed heat on cloudy days and at night.
Nights we put up double bubble on all the windows as they were only single skin.
We survived quite happily for the vacations, long term we would have fitted a wood burner in the garage and added some ducting.
Sadly the trailer is no more, we sold it to get the heating done fully water tanks, electric and plumbing roughed in, septic - burried propane and septic tank....and insulation done in the house.
So instead of a 5 star trailer we now can live in the house...sorry camp !
Folks around here call what you're describing "traibins" (get it?).
As Rick said, a lot of them in Idaho and they seem to work well.
~D
"Traibins"... nice. Yeah I think a cabin would be best, but I would much prefer a camper/trailer than nothing at all. Many folks (and people I know) turn their noses to the idea, but if a camper means I can be in the woods soon than later then it's a winning idea for me! I could also technically use the appliances from the trailer if/when I do build. I like the idea of being 100% off grid, don't believe in TV's or even music when I am in the woods, nature is my entertainment. I would consider some electronics to keep my 5 year old quiet, but only when I am getting desperate.
My wife and I spent 7 months traveling around the US in a trailer. A few things -
All the plumbing will be unusable in a northern NY winter.
If you build the over-roof around the trailer, make sure you can get the trailer out if you want to use/dump the holding tanks.
The roofs on trailers are usually a rubber membrane. These fail after 10-15 years. Also, all the caulking needs to be checked once a year as it will crack and leak over time.
I don't necessarily think you need to build a roof over top the trailer if you take care of it.
In my opinion, building a car port for the trailer wouldn't be a bad way to go. Once you have the money to put up your cabin, you'll still have a useful structure.
For plumbing, I figured on building an outhouse and keeping my chemical toilet in there mostly for the 3:00 am pitstops. Its easy enough to bring back and forth to empty and clean.
I haven't seen the newer trailers, I remember them all having aluminum roofing. Most likely like you say it would hold up if I maintain it right, would just hate to show up in spring with a big mess. The structure would probably lend itself well to a picnic table area or somewhere for guests to set up tents.. or as a car/tractor port.
After 7 months, were you fed up of it?
If this is the route you go, maybe look into composting toilets a la the Humanure Handbook (easy enough to find and free). I built the same concept for our little camper that we keep at the build site. We keep ours inside, it's effortless and never stinks. All you need is a responsible place to stash the compost. I think you have over 7 acres so probably not a problem. ;)
Thanks, I'll look into it.
Quote from: Adam Roby on June 02, 2015, 09:10:34 PM
For plumbing, I figured on building an outhouse and keeping my chemical toilet in there mostly for the 3:00 am pitstops. Its easy enough to bring back and forth to empty and clean.
I haven't seen the newer trailers, I remember them all having aluminum roofing. Most likely like you say it would hold up if I maintain it right, would just hate to show up in spring with a big mess. The structure would probably lend itself well to a picnic table area or somewhere for guests to set up tents.. or as a car/tractor port.
After 7 months, were you fed up of it?
I loved traveling in that trailer. After 7 months we wanted a home base. Some land to start a homestead and all that good stuff.
:)
We lived in a fifthwheel for about two years.... Traveled a little... Snowbirded down south around Yuma and Quartzite with half of Canada. They spent most of their time down there so it seemed, looking for good deals on pick ups - vans and trailers ie flat bed and utility. When they scored they would make a wild run for Canada and do it all over..... What y'all do with that stuff up there????
Following year we were working inside the house. Then it was mainly meals and a quick shower and in to bed.... Few days were zero (F) Those trailers can get cold at zero. We were running the furnace and two space heaters. Furnace was running to mainly to heat the chase they run the plumbing next to. In all the zero and close to it we never froze it up!!!
Pickups eh? Hmmm... need to look into that. :) Most of our retired folk spend 6 months in Florida.
So, been drawing up some ideas for a trailer port. Looked at the metal ones but they cost over $5000.
(https://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/adamrobillard/My%20Land/camperpport1_zpst6oj0zjg.jpg) (https://s1034.photobucket.com/user/adamrobillard/media/My%20Land/camperpport1_zpst6oj0zjg.jpg.html)
(https://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/adamrobillard/My%20Land/camperport_zpscher8kvh.jpg) (https://s1034.photobucket.com/user/adamrobillard/media/My%20Land/camperport_zpscher8kvh.jpg.html)
I have some ideas for bracing using a "sandwich" technique, with 3x 2"x6" for the posts...
(https://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/adamrobillard/BeamFull_zpss1vqhs65.jpg) (https://s1034.photobucket.com/user/adamrobillard/media/BeamFull_zpss1vqhs65.jpg.html)
(X-Ray Vision courteous of Don)
(https://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/adamrobillard/BeamXRay_zpse34gmeso.jpg) (https://s1034.photobucket.com/user/adamrobillard/media/BeamXRay_zpse34gmeso.jpg.html)
Not sure how I could brace it side to side though, given that I would need to drive the camper in and out.
The narrow side would have a deck on it, and bracing could be done there... just throwing around some ideas.
Well, 11 pm, alarm set to 4:30 am... back surgery tomorrow morning.
I am a little aprehensive, but eager to see the results.
See y'all on the flipside.
Hope it all goes well Adam.
Thoughts and prayers go with ya' my friend. Speedy recovery and you might be pain free. ;)
The surgery went well, doctor said it was one of the biggest hernias he had seen and it was very hard, so quite likely that the nerve damage will be permanent. There are two more damaged discs in that area but he was not able to do anything for them. The plan is to let me heal for 6 months, and see how the muscles are able to compensate for the other damages. There is another region of 3 degenerated discs higher up on my back that worry him. He said it would likely require a synthetic disc replacement, and screwing the other two discs together (fusing). He wants to avoid this if at all possible, because it will mean many many months of recovery with very little potential relief form pain.
It has been 4 days now. Still cry most mornings when I wake up from the pain... but it is subsiding quicker now than it did earlier on. They prescribed Dilaudid, supposed to be much stronger than Morphine. I do not take well to pain meds, so have been cutting them in 1/4 and taking them every 1.5-2 hours rather than a full dose every 4-6 hours. At first was very nauseous but am starting to get more used to them. Bandages come off tomorrow, a little worried what I will find but will be glad to be allowed to finally shower.
Cabin/land plans on hold until further notice. Return to work only scheduled for August 3rd! Not allowed to ride in a car for 2 weeks, not allowed to drive for an additional 2-4 weeks afterwards. Gonna be a long and boring summer in the city.
Hope you are feeling a little better each day. When you are healed up and your doctor lets you exercise again, give Foundation Training a try. It was developed by a chiropractor who had back problems himself. The idea is to strengthen the posterior chain. There are basic videos on Youtube and on the Foundation Training website.
Dave
Thanks for the advice. I am also planning on seeing my physio therapist for a list of core muscle strengthening exercises (once my surgeon gives me the OK).
One nice thing about living in Montreal, it's only a 1.5 hour drive to Mont Tremlant, so we decided to come up here for a few days to help with the recovery.
(https://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/adamrobillard/Tremblant_zpshfswv7f3.jpg) (https://s1034.photobucket.com/user/adamrobillard/media/Tremblant_zpshfswv7f3.jpg.html)
Survey is done, all the paperwork is in order. We are meeting on Friday to finalize the contract and register the land in my name.
At the same time, I picked up this little gem to help me gain access to the lot.
(https://i.imgur.com/3ODNky1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lPKiFwR.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/TmMx6CG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9D4SL5z.jpg)
I was supposed to go tomorrow to do the land transfer, but turns out the dealer did not yet receive the registration papers for the truck. I am not allowed to cross the border with the transit sticker in the window... ugh... Murphy's Law.
Closing is done, I finally own my land outright! 7.5 acres of pure Adam Land! :)
I'll admit, the land looks pretty baron at the moment (trees are already growing back and almost 3' high), but I can see a lot of potential. Buying a wheeled trimmer tomorrow from a liquidator, $160 cash, new they are $269 + tax.
This is looking from the dirt road across the lot. The tree line in the distance is the end of my lot.
(https://i.imgur.com/zbdIABY.jpg)
And this is the back of the lot looking forward, my Jeep is probably the mid point... actually a bit less than the midpoint.
(https://i.imgur.com/senYUCs.jpg)
Can't wait to start clearing a small parking spot and figure out the topography. :)
I am looking locally for a working small chainsaw just to help remove some stumps so I can drive the truck onto the land (beginnings of a driveway).
I found a Poulan 14", guy is asking $110 and I offered $80, still waiting a reply but he is very close by.
There is also a HomeLite 14", he was asking $80 and I talked him down to $60 but it's 1.5 hours to and back...
Finally a Pioneer (no details but looks like 14") asking only $45.
Are any of these an amazing brand or a brand to stay away from?
I was thinking of calling in sick and going up to the land tomorrow so if any of them call me back tonight and are willing to meet that will probably make my decision, but if not I welcome any feedback on which I should consider.
An obvious requirement is that it starts immediately, and I can cut a log in two without any bogging or hesitation.
I will bring a few logs with me to test with... neighbors might get upset but it'll just be a minute or two so...
I think I would put a couple more dollars together and head the Lowe's and buy a brand new saw. That way you do not have to worry about how th e saw was used in it's former life. A new saw can be bought for under $150.00
To add a little context, I am on the Canada side so its very hard to find anything under $175. I also have a lot that has just been completely deforested, so I technically don't have any trees to cut for a while. I need something to just remove a few stumps left behind to gain access to the land. I figured the cheapest I can go now, and in 5 years when I hopefully have a few trees then I can look at buying a new tool. Figure even a top of the line chainsaw if it sits for 5 years will be difficult to start.
FWIW, if you go to look at one tell the person you're coming and want to see it "cold"; not recently run. Then go thru the startup drill... x number of pushes of the primer, choke, etc. If it then takes more than 3 good pulls to start or at least burp, I'd say No Thanks. If it burps then take the choke off and it should start and run with 1 or 2 more pulls. Warm it up. (Take ear muffs). It should rev freely with no hesitation when the throttle is quickly pulled. Take a chunk of log if you can and see if it bogs when you try to cut. Shut off, Leave sit a couple of minutes. It should restart easily.
Is the chain sharp.... did it cut that log ok? Check the prices on new chauins where you are. A new saw comes with a new sharp chain.
Quoteeven a top of the line chainsaw if it sits for 5 years will be difficult to start
The key to having a saw sit for a period and then being easy to start centers around fuel. I drain the fuel and run it dry when I am not certain when I'll be next using it. Since I started doing that many many years ago I have never been confronted with a saw that would not start. Before I was careful about that the saw was in the shop once a year.
Using "designer" fuel also helps. That's the stuff you buy in one quart (litre) cans that is premixed. Expensive, but has no alcohol, is higher octane (saw runs a little cooler). Lowes, HD and other places sell it.
rent a stump grinder
Quote from: MountainDon on August 24, 2015, 08:08:28 PM
FWIW, if you go to look at one tell the person you're coming and want to see it "cold"; not recently run. Then go thru the startup drill... x number of pushes of the primer, choke, etc. If it then takes more than 3 good pulls to start or at least burp, I'd say No Thanks. If it burps then take the choke off and it should start and run with 1 or 2 more pulls. Warm it up. (Take ear muffs). It should rev freely with no hesitation when the throttle is quickly pulled. Take a chunk of log if you can and see if it bogs when you try to cut. Shut off, Leave sit a couple of minutes. It should restart easily...
... Using "designer" fuel also helps. That's the stuff you buy in one quart (litre) cans that is premixed. Expensive, but has no alcohol, is higher octane (saw runs a little cooler). Lowes, HD and other places sell it.
Good points... will keep that in mind when I start looking in person.
I was planning on using 0 ethanol fuel and letting it run dry, but the premixed stuff might not be a bad idea since I have so little to cut I will definitely have enough with just one can of that stuff.
The stump grinder I think would be overkill. There are some larger stumps that I will simply avoid, the ones I need to cut are maybe 4" in diameter. I will just cut them flat (or dig just a bit around), I just need to be able to drive over them without snagging my undercarriage. They can then rot and do whatever they want to without bothering me..
If they are that small, consider putting a tow strap around them and pull with your vehicle. Then an ax or sawzall to cut roots.
Hmmm... that might work as well, hadn't thought of that. Most are pretty small, 3-4 inches or so... then every now and then there is a huge (relatively huge) 2-3' diameter stump. Those I will snake around if possible... also a few massive stones that even a bulldozer might find challenging. I like a twisty road/driveway though, give it character as long as I can still tow in a large trailer its all good.
My buddy picked up a chainsaw from a guy selling it close to his house (would have been 1.5 hour drive for me there and back).
He got it last night and said it ran great, but didn't know if maybe the guy had warmed it up before he got there.
Got home from work with it tonight, figure it has been sitting for 24 hours.
Followed the instructions on the thing, 7 pumps, choke on, pull max 3 times, choke off, pull max 5 times.
I pumped 7 times, choke on, cranked once and it started, ran for a second then died. Turned the choke off, pulled 2 more times then ran like a dream. Actually, it was running fast and I gave it a bit of gas then it died back down... not sure if too much gas, or my foot was on the switch... first time in my life I ever start one. Seems to be running right though. It also looks brand spanking new, the only sign it was ever used is the paint missing from the bar.
It is not an expensive brand, HomeLite 14", 35cc... if bought new locally it sells for $174 + (Quebec sales tax) = $200.00.
I bought it for $60. Just ordered some sharpening tools (guides to sharped and for the depth gauge). Going to do a thorough cleaning this weekend (make sure the air/oil filters are cleaned or replaced, check the chain tension, replace the chain oil and gas that is in it, etc.). Just want to make sure it stays in good shape for years to come.
[cool]
Make sure you get some traiing or read up on chain saw safety. They can do a lot of work and you want to handle it properly for your own safety.
Hmmm... oil and sawdust, makes for quite a mess... who would have thunk it. ;)
While trying to figure out the chain tensioner the bar and chain fell off... so I took the liberty to dismantle and remove as much guck as possible. The thing must weight 3 lbs less than it did before. Strange why they design them with so many little nooks and crannies considering the amount of oil and dust everywhere... just turns to cake and gets stuck everywhere.
Been watching a ton of videos from safety to maintenance, chain sharpening to felling trees. I am feeling a bit more confident, but will definitely be on guard the first time I use it.
Hi Adam. Congratulations on your land.
We own a big chunk of land way up in Northern NY, and I wonder if we are anywhere near you. It's a big region. We are east of Watertown. It sounds like you might be farther north and west.
I haven't been up there in months, but have done a lot of work on the place, and maybe could give you names of reliable contractors, etc.
Good luck!
David
Quote from: Adam Roby on August 29, 2015, 04:33:13 PM
Hmmm... oil and sawdust, makes for quite a mess... who would have thunk it. ;)
While trying to figure out the chain tensioner the bar and chain fell off... so I took the liberty to dismantle and remove as much guck as possible. The thing must weight 3 lbs less than it did before. Strange why they design them with so many little nooks and crannies considering the amount of oil and dust everywhere... just turns to cake and gets stuck everywhere.
Been watching a ton of videos from safety to maintenance, chain sharpening to felling trees. I am feeling a bit more confident, but will definitely be on guard the first time I use it.
A newbe with a chain saw never bothers me as much as someone that has 'matured.' Then after that you move in to a phase where you know not put the tip bar just by instinct. Then it is almost second nature when you are bucking logs and you look at limbs and pretty well know what is going to happen when you saw through one. Your saw will run a lot cooler now that you cleaned it up. My buddy that was a logger you go into his shop and he has two of those monster Stihl saws sitting under a bench and they are spotless inside and out.... Stay safe!
Quote from: db4570 on August 29, 2015, 10:46:46 PM
...I wonder if we are anywhere near you...
Hi David, it seems we are a little under 3 hours drive north-east of Watertown. The closest town is Churubusco NY (https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Churubusco,+NY+12923,+USA/@44.9412225,-73.9165604,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x4ccbdc8709465f03:0x1159b07c222115ea?hl=en).
Quote from: rick91351 on August 29, 2015, 11:44:56 PM
A newbe with a chain saw never bothers me as much as someone that has 'matured.'
I worked as a software developer for a large flight simulation company in Montreal Canada for 5 years. As part of the work I had to take the ground flight school to learn as much as possible about avionics and such. The instructor explained how experience sometimes makes people cocky and more dangerous because they stop paying attention to things and get too comfortable. I believe there were intervals, like at 100 hours flight time, 1000 hours flight time, 10'000 hours flight time... so even commercial pilots with decades of experience fall into the same bad habit. Normally a small scare or mistake will kind of wake them up and they will start thinking like a newbie again.
Not sure if this is what you meant by 'matured' but I imagine my anecdote has some similarities to using tools. You can never be too confident, but you can never be too safe... I will be taking my time my first few times out for sure.
She's all cleaned up, spark plug looked nice so I just buffed it a bit. Air filter was still pretty clean so I washed and dried it. Fuel filter looked fine... all that's left is to sharped the chain and I expect the files and guides to come in sometime this week.
(https://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/adamrobillard/My%20Land/Chainsaw_zps8qumfgmx.jpg) (https://s1034.photobucket.com/user/adamrobillard/media/My%20Land/Chainsaw_zps8qumfgmx.jpg.html)
Nice looking saw!
Looks new! I think you caught a deal on that one.
Your interpretation of 'mature' is pretty well spot on. Wink!
Spent 4 hours in the bush this morning trying out my "new to me" saw.
She works great, but after a tank and a half of gas it started to have a hard time cutting, especially the hard red wood. Making a driveway by hand is hard work... must be at 20 man hours now and have barely made a dent... maybe 80' clean, another 20' partially clean... and still 150' to go beyond that.
All in all, much more fun being in the woods than at a desk at work!
Now back to the workshop to once again clean and sharpen the chainsaw for next week.
Heading up this weekend to mark off the land.
Already have the 3 corners laid out, but with 7 1/2 acres it's hard to visualize the boundaries.
Cut a bunch of 1x2's to 4' with a tip...
(https://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/adamrobillard/Land/WP_20160415_001_zpsnnlpoq6g.jpg) (https://s1034.photobucket.com/user/adamrobillard/media/Land/WP_20160415_001_zpsnnlpoq6g.jpg.html)
(https://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/adamrobillard/Land/WP_20160415_002_zpspuflsnqf.jpg) (https://s1034.photobucket.com/user/adamrobillard/media/Land/WP_20160415_002_zpspuflsnqf.jpg.html)
And I made this doohickey that slides over the flat end to help keep it from splitting when I hammer it into the ground.
(https://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/adamrobillard/Land/WP_20160415_003_zps0ggxkiza.jpg) (https://s1034.photobucket.com/user/adamrobillard/media/Land/WP_20160415_003_zps0ggxkiza.jpg.html)
(https://i1034.photobucket.com/albums/a429/adamrobillard/Land/WP_20160415_004_zpsnswgvpp8.jpg) (https://s1034.photobucket.com/user/adamrobillard/media/Land/WP_20160415_004_zpsnswgvpp8.jpg.html)
Plan is to run a 500' string from one corner to the other, then every 40' or so plant one of these pegs.
Also want to lay out the road to make it easier to see ahead... and if there's enough left over then to outline where I want my pond.
Plan on painting the tips with the orange marker paint to see if from a distance.
Next step is to start planting trees alone that same line. I want to define the boundaries, and slowly let the forest build back up inwards.
Can't wait to get up there... haven't been since the fall and I've been itching.
Tomorrow I see if the old chainsaw still starts up, then pack up the truck for Sunday morning.
WooHoo!
Hi Adam, you land is awesome!
Glad you got a chain saw, I'll be getting a new one real soon. My old one is an Efco (not Echo) and it needs a tune-up.
I plan on getting a Stihl 251 very soon, I heard they are really good.
Quote from: ajbremer on April 17, 2016, 06:20:06 AM
Hi Adam, you land is awesome!
Thanks! It a work in progress, but I get so little time to actually go and work that it will take me a decade to get things done.
Chainsaw started right up... ethanol free fuel and stabilizer saved the day once again!
Off to the land now, will post some pics later on.