A few weeks ago I found a very good price on a 16x24 gambrel style barn on craigslist. When including the cost to have it moved, it still worked out to be much less than the cost of materials and fuel for me to build it. Anyway, it was delivered and leveled on Saturday. It sits on 5 skids, 4x4 runners the length of the building. These are perched on concrete blocks, with a pile every 6 feet on all five girders. The sidewalls are 6', and the building came insulated (R13) and included a window unit style air conditioner. This past weekend it was nearly 100 every day, boy that AC was nice last night. For the time being this is my project to finish out both the inside and out, learning as I go on some things. Eventually it will also serve as a storage building for materials when housebuilding later down the road. Afther that, maybe a nice woodworking shop. For now, its just a great place to get out of bad weather and be able to lock a few things up and leave there.
I lost a few shingles in the move, and need to get back up there to do some patching - hopefully next weekend. I also intend to get the hurricane tiedowns in at the same time. I know this isn't exactly what everyone else here is working on, so if this out of place - mods please move or delete with my apologies. If no one objects to a non build from scratch, I hope to cronicle the efforts of the project in this space.
Here are some pictures:
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/June%202008/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF1917.JPG)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/June%202008/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF1902.JPG)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/June%202008/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF1895.JPG)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/June%202008/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF1896.JPG)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/June%202008/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF1899.JPG)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/June%202008/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF1900.JPG)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/June%202008/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF1901.JPG)
Nice find. A guy could live in that. [cool]
No problem posting it here, muldoon. This is for everyone who wants to share ideas and experience and discuss their project. You share plenty and we appreciate it, so carry on.
Can't beat a good deal -- that is real recycling.
When the opportunity comes up this is a great alternative to building from scratch. Especially for that future shop, barn or guest house that you can be more flexible about.
roof patchwork completed.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/June%202008/_thumbs/640x480-439914-R1-048-22A_012.jpg)
Looks good, muldoon.
between work and kids have not had as much time as I would like to work out there. Also haven't had as much money to spend as I would have liked either. (I guess thats the truth for all of us huh?)
Anyway, small victory - the well is in. wrapped in 8x10 slab, electricity trenched and ran back to the pole. a schaeffer (stainless) 3/4 hp submersible pump and pressure tank is in. One single hose bib for now but the start of a manifold is in place to do branch circuits later. Water is good, tastes great, no smell.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/February%202009/_thumbs/640x480-IMG00213.jpg)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/February%202009/_thumbs/640x480-IMG00210.jpg)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/February%202009/_thumbs/640x480-IMG00211.jpg)
Going to work on the wellhouse shed next, have alot of the lumber in the garage now.
Getting all the basic utility connections established is a big job.
Has the little barn stayed in place and kept things dry all this time?
Must feel good to have that done, muldoon
Good that you have decent water. Everyting else can be fixed the way you like it but usually water is not one of them. ;D
Thanks for looking
Quote from: John Raabe on March 15, 2009, 06:35:36 PM
Getting all the basic utility connections established is a big job.
Has the little barn stayed in place and kept things dry all this time?
Sure has John, it has stayed level, dry and tight. I have slept overnight in it when it's been pouring down rain and in the 20's outside. Stayed dry. I have taken the kids up a few times each now and its where we always sleep. The doors are still somewhat drafty, but sliding locks and clamping heavy blankets over the doors at night helps a bunch. Sure beats the snot out of a tent. I dont miss that.
I have done some work inside, did most of the inside electrical over deer season, going to finish that up in the next trip or two and get the conduit ran for permanent power. Then I can get my inside walls up. I feel like I have been busy busy busy but not actually accomplishing anything. Feeling good to see at least a few things starting to come together.
Quote from: MountainDon on March 15, 2009, 06:50:50 PM
Must feel good to have that done, muldoon
Sure does, it's one of those things that I have been waiting and thinking about for forever.
Quote from: Redoverfarm on March 15, 2009, 08:08:55 PM
Good that you have decent water. Everyting else can be fixed the way you like it but usually water is not one of them. ;D
You got that right, the area is known for poor water. The geography works out to be a very high mineral content and I know about an oil and natural gas deposit under me quite a ways down. There are also pockets of lignite. From what I have heard alot of the wells drilled has high sulfur content and iron. The aquifer I hit was fairly shallow at 90 feet and the well driller knew about it in advance. I brew beer and make wine and mead. Having good water is extra extra important to me. :)
That's great, muldoon.
Bathroom renovation weekend. We now have hot water showers! yay -- Being able to wash the sweat away at the end of a days work makes the day soo much nicer. Took the entire family up, we had a great time and the kids are plum wore out.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/May%202009/_thumbs/640x480-dscf4054.jpg)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/May%202009/_thumbs/640x480-dscf4055.jpg)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/May%202009/_thumbs/640x480-dscf4056.jpg)
of course the rest of the bathroom still needs renovating - but that will have to wait for another day.. or another weekend at least.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/May%202009/_thumbs/640x480-dscf4051.jpg)
Also, happy Memorial day to all our veterans, on this site or not. Thank you.
[rofl2] yes, the rest of the bathroom will have to be worked on... but hey, that's a great shower! 8)
Looks nice muldoon. Very public. :)
A shower like that is really refreshing.
Sure was hot this weekend.
I trenched in the 120 foot run for permanent power to the building, and ran the wires this weekend. Installed a ceiling fan, inside lights, and electrical outlets. Finished up some work on the shower above, did some brush clearing and tree maintenance. Met some neighbors, even made time to shoot a hog one night. ( yay free meat :) )
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/August%202009/_thumbs/640x480-dscf4643.jpg)
wiring this 4 gangbox with switches took alot longer than I expected it would.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/August%202009/_thumbs/640x480-dscf4645.jpg)
. . o O ( All that work for three little circuits... ?)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/August%202009/_thumbs/640x480-dscf4648-2.jpg)
very worth it.
The extension cord is the old "power source". it has since been removed.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/August%202009/_thumbs/640x480-dscf4652.jpg)
Up next is interior wall finishes.
Boy I dont know how you guys build from nothing in months. I have been working on this 1 or two weekends a month and still way behind. Thought it might be time to give an update on the little things that have occurred since the last post.
I raised the loft so I would not have to duck my head to pass under it anymore. The sidewalls on this gambrel are 6 foot, and I am 6'1" - even though I clear barefoot, I tend to scrape with my boots on. It hurt so I raised it, I also shortened it a bit and finished it out with some 3/4 plywood decking.
In the picture, my buddy Adam is helping with this job.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202009/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF5239.JPG)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202009/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF5240.JPG)
I also removed the gray shelf you might see in one of the above pictures as it would hinder the ability to install wall coverings. I wound up making some new shelves with 1/2" all-thread, 2x12's and hardware. They are very solid, and adjustable as well.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202009/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF5243.JPG)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202009/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF5244.JPG)
As noted in another thread, I built a home made HD TV antenna and took up there and mounted in the loft. Works well, and is pretty much a built in now.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202009/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF5235.JPG)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202009/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF5237.JPG)
Also, quite a good bit of maintaining pastures (damn mesquite), grooming and manicuring paths and walkways, and trying to reverse years of soil erosion with a combination of irrigation control (tractor work) and coastal grass.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202009/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF5250.JPG)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202009/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF5259.JPG)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202009/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF5251.JPG)
After getting the pastures in better shape I also did quite a bit of work on fences around the place. That job looks so simple, but whoo - it wore me out. After getting the fences in shape and securing some things around the place I began letting neighbors cattle graze the property. What a neat site to see cows, and they do a great job on keeping the grass down as well. :)
They are there off and on as they are rotated through the fields. I am also on my way to getting the tax agriculture exemption for this effort.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/October%202009/_thumbs/640x480-SUNP0057.JPG)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/October%202009/_thumbs/640x480-SUNP0088.JPG)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/October%202009/_thumbs/640x480-SUNP0117.JPG)
Hope to have more "real progress" on the place soon. Having fun as I plod along tho. Thanks for providing the place to post my little adventure and thanks for reading about it.
I have always said that farming is a full time job. Livestock is the best way to keep the undergrowth from becoming a large problem. Even then you have to manicure what they decide not to browse on. In this area it is multi-flora rose which is nasty ( with capital N) which will consume a very productive piece of land into something that is of no value. Even when it is young the rose buishes are palatable to cattle. Sheep are the best cleaning animal to eat unwanted vegitation. But they can also devistate grassland if left without roatating them periodically. In this area there was a great sheep prioduction area. With the fallen price of wool and coyotes the farmers have eliminated the majority of the sheep from their farms. Once there was grassy hillsides and now multi-flora rose everywhere. I have been battling this for several years. Spray every year or so and then brush hog in between. If you can keep it down to where the leaves cannot collect the neutrients it will eventiually die down. I don't think it every really dies completely. So Muldoon keep after it a little at a time and it will once again bloom back productive.
I just keep plodding along with excruciatingly slow progress.
I brought the cedar for the ceiling in, and got it staged a few days ago.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202009/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF5398.JPG)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202009/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF5406.JPG)
With assistance from my helper, we started putting up some 15# felt backer paper. About 40% finished with this part now, it takes longer than it looks like it should take.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202009/_thumbs/640x480-dscf5513.jpg)
muldoon is the cedar for the ceiling or the walls as well. Nice looking helper. ;)
ceiling primarily in this load. I did buy some extra, and after completing the ceiling I will need to evaluate if I have enough to do a single 24' wall or one of the gable ends instead with the leftovers. perhaps just the back wall of the loft.
I need to do some more work before I buy the materials to finish everything inside. I have two crappy hand-me-down 110 window AC units and I intend to replace both of them with a single 220v combined AC heater. In doing so I will need to close in one opening one of the AC units currently occupy and make the other one significantly larger. I dont want to start the finish wall work on those two walls until I get that work sorted out.
Got the rest of the ceiling felt paper backer in, and started on the cedar ceiling this weekend. Its fresh cedar boards, milled locally. They have been acclimating for about 2 months now. I want to look into some scaffolding, doing this with the ladder is slow back-aching work. Only got a few courses up as I worked on other things most of Saturday. It was raining cats and dogs and the area was under flash flood watch for the first half of the weekend; because of that I was unable to bring the table saw.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/January%202010/_thumbs/640x480-dscf6408.jpg)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/January%202010/_thumbs/640x480-dscf6411.jpg)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/January%202010/_thumbs/640x480-dscf6412.jpg)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/January%202010/_thumbs/640x480-dscf6414.jpg)
Also, I got the corner studs installed. Someone donated a free working microwave too. sweet.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/January%202010/_thumbs/640x480-dscf6410.jpg)
Yes ceilings and long boards are a real pain unless you have some scaffolding. I see you haven't got anything on the walls yet. SO you could make a scaffolding off of the studs to a double 2X for legs and use deck screws to put it together. It doesn't appear that you have that much heigth so anything to get you within arms length while standing would work. As for the middle just make two extra legs and attach them to the cross pieces that you originally had to the studs and detach them from the studs and move it to the center. Now you have a platform (2X material and plywood)with four legs in the middle of the room. Doesn't take much to hold on person up and with putting them together with 3" deck screws you can take it apart afterwards and use the material in it your build. Just a thought.
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That ceiling is going to look great. Can't wait to see it finished.
Thanks Red, that was exactly what I needed.
I got a late start and got up there Saturday morning, had to keep it short too in time to make the AFC championship game I had invited people to my house to watch on Sunday. I didn't get to do near as much as I wanted. The scaffolding is up, and a few more courses are in place. Why does everything take longer than I think it will?
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/January%202010/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF6430.JPG)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/January%202010/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF6441.JPG)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/January%202010/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF6444.JPG)
Quote from: RainDog on January 17, 2010, 10:58:20 PM
That ceiling is going to look great. Can't wait to see it finished.
I cant wait to see it finished too!
You are Welcome Muldoon. Glad it worked out for ya.
I was blessed with being able to spend 5 days up at the place this past weekend and managed to get some work done. Overall the pace is slow, I just cant make the drive as often as I wish. Still it was a great trip, some good work done, I got to live stress free for a few days. Well stress free except for the bugs, sometimes it felt like everything I saw was capable of either stinging or biting me from the plants and trees to cacti to the bugs to the critters. Killed a rattler, squashed a few scorpions, but I did leave the yellow jackets and wasps alone. I tried to trap a hog but I guess there circuit is changed, never saw one and no fresh signs of activity while I was there.
As for progress,
The ceiling is halfway complete, I crested the ridge this weekend using the scaffolding described above. Also installed some track lighting and dimmer controls, "movie night" friendly.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/May%202010/_thumbs/640x480-dscf8515.jpg)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/May%202010/_thumbs/640x480-dscf8588.jpg)
For inside, I also did some electrical work in running another 220 circuit for the future ac/heater, added some outlets, added dimmers on inside lighting, outside I chainsawed a good bit of mesquite, and generally just worked the entire time I was up there.
Refinished my picnic table with tung oil
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/May%202010/_thumbs/640x480-dscf8573.jpg)
Above I have some pictures of some shelves I made with all-thread and 2x12's, now they are wrapped in the same cedar as the ceiling. There are three of these up there.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/May%202010/_thumbs/640x480-dscf8578.jpg)
Also, the well would not pump when I got there. Apparently the cows damaged the wiring for the control. That needed to be rewired and secured.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/May%202010/_thumbs/640x480-dscf8606.jpg)
Speaking of cows, they spooked me good when I stepped out of the shed at 4am to pee and saw this waiting on me. I didnt go back to bed after that.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/May%202010/_thumbs/640x480-dscf8623.jpg)
Also, thanks veterans, hope you had a great Memorial day
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/May%202010/_thumbs/640x480-dscf8554.jpg)
went up with my five year old son on Saturday and got 5 courses done on the other side of the ceiling over the weekend. still slow work keeping the overlap straight and in place while nailing it - especially since I'm doing it all by myself, but at least I was out of the city. made some fine bar-bq as well.
Shawn caught a bunch of grasshoppers and my wife found a frog in one of his pockets in the dirty clothes pile when we got home.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/June%202010/_thumbs/640x480-IMG00143-20100619-1335.jpg)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/June%202010/_thumbs/640x480-IMG00144-20100619-1336.jpg)
really like the ceiling :0)
Looks nice, muldoon. Frogs in the pockets... nice surprise. :)
Even in the wilds of dry old Idaho we can end up with frogs in strange places. Last year after a rain cloud burst we found one in the shower of the fifth wheel. Yesterday I found one in a 1200 gallon water tank we use to store water for our orchard. It is all enclosed tank, and I opened the hatch and looked in. Right there on top was a little frog - or toad, it disappeared. Latter I opened it up again there it was, so I slowly got my hand under it, caught it and put it in the creek. Good deed for the day! ;)
About the cows they will mess with stuff till they brake it, rub it down, eat it or _____ on it. A few cheap panels or a little fence goes a long way in protecting stuff.
What a pretty weekend, the weather was so fantastic there was no need for either air conditioning or heater, it was just perfect. Low 80s in the day high 50s at night. Thats a rarity for central Texas.
As for my trip, I am very happy to report the ceiling has been completed.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/October%202010/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF9248.JPG)
made a new friend too. he was running willy nilly in the ceiling and got himself stuck on the tape holding some felt paper up. It became his final resting place.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/October%202010/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF9232.JPG)
Nice ceiling muldoon!
I think you may have mentioned before but is that Cedar that you are using. If so how strong is the smell?
It is cedar. The smell is noticeable when you walk in the door. After 10 seconds I cannot smell it anymore. It's not really overpowering, but it is present. After having been there a while, I don't even notice it coming in and out. A good property of cedar is that it keeps the bugs out. There is no shortage of bugs up there so it's a good thing.
When I was growing up (several years ago) I can remember staying at my grandparents. My grandmother had a cedar bedroom suit. You could tell when you first entered the house but as you say once inside it sort of deminished some. But it was an older suit and they actually used solid construction rather than veneers so I guess it had more fragrance than the newer pieces. Just another childhood memory revisited. Thanks.
red, those ceiling boards are not veneers, they are solid cedar boards.
Adding two more pictures to the thread, an outside looking at the building.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202010/_thumbs/640x480-2010-11-22_09.06.36.jpg)
And a shot of the newly added yard swing.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202010/_thumbs/640x480-2010-11-27_16.59.29.jpg)
Yeah Muldoon I figured that it was. I was just making reference to modern cedar furniture is now basicly veneer.
hey neighbor
just moved out to our place just outside La Grange
where did you get the locally milled cedar
i milled a few cedar boards yesterday with my chainsaw mill and they are pretty but a lot of work
give me a shout next time you go out i would love to see your place and sometimes a little local help can be handy
I have not posted an update in a while. Not much progress has been made inside because the weather has been too fantastic to work inside. Here are just a few of the things I am keeping myself busy with lately.
In no particular order..
made a makeshift curtain rod out of some old rusted spurs and aged scrap wood.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/January%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-01-30_09.12.27.jpg)
work continues on trails, pasture management, and canopying trees.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/February%202011/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF0234.JPG)
cattle wire, hog fencing and continual clearing of the perimeter. .. some of the posts were still stout, some got replaced.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/January%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-01-30_09.23.54.jpg)
I liked the idea of a generator tie in from another thread and did the same thing
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/February%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-02-19_10.02.41.jpg)
I have been spending a bit of time cleaning up the pond and getting the willows off the dam. lots of brush has been removed, still a good bit of work to go, but it's going in the right direction. I cant wait until we can pull some great big bluegill from it.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/February%202011/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF0166.JPG)
Nice pond - putting in fence & mending it & cleaning up the brush etc can keep a person pretty busy - I know Glenn has been. Looks nice!
looking good! not sure if i missed it.. sounds like you are building a farm/ranch? Whats the scoop?
Great looking place Muldoon [cool] And a beautiful piece of property. While its a lot to do by yourself it sure does give you a feeling of pride it it!
I had to laugh at the cows scaring you. I graduated HS in 1984 and was living in my uncles old farm house in Michigan's UP. One nite I was over my friends house watching tales from the darkside. About trolls making noise jumping off the roof and grabbing people. I rode my fourwheeler home went to sleep woke up to a chomp chomp noise 3 am outside. Grabbed the 30-06 kicked the outside door open and just about shot a black angus that broke out of the pasture and was eating grass around the house.
BIlly
Thank you guys for looking and the kind words.
Quote from: duncanshannon. sounds like you are building a farm/ranch? Whats the scoop?
Well, I dunno.
This country follows the practice within agriculture of having specific areas mass produce single products. For example, oranges from Florida, potatoes from Idaho, apples from Washington, etc. The specific area in Texas I am located in does alot of beef cattle. Something like 80% of the entire nations beef comes from a 100 mile radius of Luling, TX. (which Muldoon, TX is inside of). All of my neighbors run cattle. Most of the people within a 50 mile radius of me run cattle. It's quite easy to let them graze to keep the grass down, a nice brisket or couple of ribeyes out of the deal every now and then isn't so bad.
To be honest, I could care less about cows. I bought this property to grow grapes. I searched for a few years to find the characteristics for it.. soil characteristics, drainage, temperature, neighbors, location to multiple cities, etc. I have been a winemaker for nearly a decade now, and in time, (perhaps decades at my current pace), I intend to make a go at growing grapes and making wine.
Until then, its a place to get out of the city, to show my children nature and especially to teach them some very important life lessons about loving something and watching it grow, respecting something and watching it prosper, and of course a place to deer hunt, hog hunt, fish, and just drink a cold beer and ride around on the mower. I keep plodding along, on a pay as I go, incur no new debt strategy, working towards too many finish lines to count. I don't have it all worked out just yet, but thats not stopping me from working at it one weekend at a time.
Quote from: cowboy billyAnd a beautiful piece of property. While its a lot to do by yourself it sure does give you a feeling of pride it it!
I dont know about pride, but my back sure gets sore! I like your project as well, not too many skid based platforms here. We gotta stick together.
Quotea nice brisket or couple of ribeyes out of the deal every now and then isn't so bad
mmmmm. beef. do you bbq too? (im in MN, so not a ton of smoking going on... just getting into it and have a 'cheater' smoker (Bradley). Dreaming of something bigger some day.
QuoteI bought this property to grow grapes.
very cool! good luck... takes a while (years?) for vines to produce fruit right?
Quoteto show my children nature and especially to teach them some very important life lessons about loving something and watching it grow, respecting something and watching it prosper
awesome.
I got started on the north wall. Instead of making a shiplap with a dado blade, I used the tablesaw at a 45 degree to put bevels on the edges. The cedar slides together with about 1/2" overlap. A little rustic, but seems to work ok so far.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/February%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-02-26_14.30.31.jpg)
great to see another barn builder..lol... gotta love them short side walls
Built the shed over the well this weekend. It was a bit windy for this effort but overall a beautiful day. Also shock chlorinated the well to deal with appears to be sulfur and or iron bacteria. I am encouraged by the results, but want to try the treatment again the next time I go up.
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/March%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-03-05_18.14.42.jpg)
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/March%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-03-05_18.15.40.jpg)
Thats cheating going with a pre-fab, my pump house is a fourth that size and took me 3 weeks d* looks nice
texasgun, cheating or not, I am glad to have that wellhouse done. :)
I spent some time up there this past weekend, nail gun broke and I ended up with hammer and finish nails. Very therapeutic ...
This is the wall behind the tv, been a cable mess too long.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/April%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-04-21_18.52.10.jpg)
The view behind the tv as you walk in.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/April%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-04-21_19.02.41.jpg)
Here is the north wall, got to finally hang the breaux bridge crawfish festival picture up.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/April%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-04-22_12.39.58.jpg)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/April%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-04-22_16.48.45.jpg)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/April%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-04-22_16.49.02.jpg)
According to my plan, this corner will one day be a bathroom.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/April%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-04-22_16.49.27.jpg)
I was looking at the hpinson thread and saw his new firepit. It reminded me that I never posted pictures of our firepit.
It is roughly a 4 foot of 44" diameter 3/8" thick drillpipe, scavenged from a "government job" at one of the big oil services company guys I am friends with. It's super heavy that's for sure.
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/May%202008/_thumbs/640x480-IMG_1595.JPG)
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202007/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF0559.JPG)
Since I am adding some picture updates, here are a few more.
The compost bin, with chickenwire lining and locking hinged top lid.
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/October%202010/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF9228.JPG)
Jobsite supervisor, checking the progress, making sure she doesn't miss anything. Really she was my wifes dog, but that little thing has really grown on me.
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/February%202011/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF0224.JPG)
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/February%202011/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF0142.JPG)
Since Glen's thread has cows, I didn't want to feel left out.
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/May%202010/_thumbs/640x480-DSCN0167.JPG)
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/February%202010/_thumbs/640x480-dscn0155.jpg)
And how about a few just because pictures....
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202009/_thumbs/640x480-DSCF5482.JPG)
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202010/_thumbs/640x480-2010-11-22_09.12.47.jpg)
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/November%202010/_thumbs/640x480-2010-11-27_13.00.37.jpg)
cute daughter! It's always good to see pictures :) Are those your cows or your neighbors? How's the barn coming along?
Sassy, sorry I never noticed your post. I wasn't ignoring you.
The barn is coming along but I am having a tough time getting up there often enough to get any momentum going.
The cows belong to the lady who owns the pasture behind me. We have been under a pretty serious drought, first two years ago and now again this year. What little rain we have generates into grass, which cows certainly need plenty of. We have a working agreement between us for grazing.
I have not made a work trip in several months, but I made one this weekend and went up Saturday morning. Looks like the pictures from April show the first half of the north wall finished, it is now completed.
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/July%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-07-30_14.05.39.jpg)
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/July%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-07-30_14.05.25.jpg)
Speaking of the drought, one of the things I have been concerned with is quite a few trees are dying. It seems to be spreading, and now I am concerned it might be pests or disease instead of just heat scorching and lack of water. They seem to be dying in clumps, where one tree or 5 trees in a general area are all dead or dying. It is affected all types, oaks, cedars, even a pine or two. It is not affecting the mesquite. It's certainly not all the trees, but enough for me to notice them, and especially notice how many very large branches are falling down around the place. Some of the higher sections up in the front are getting unsafe to walk because of the huge branches and such that look they can just fall over with a touch of wind.
Here are some pictures, any thoughts?
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/July%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-07-31_12.40.28.jpg)
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/July%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-07-31_12.40.38.jpg)
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/July%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-07-31_12.42.57.jpg)
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/July%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-07-31_12.46.51.jpg)
(http://loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/July%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-07-31_12.43.00.jpg)
check for borers...
may have to peel the bark on a few dead ones to find the pin size holes...
Lost my big hackberry shade tree last year from them.... :(
Probably a combination. In times of drought the trees become more susceptible to pests like borers. So while it's not directly the drought that kills the trees, indirectly it is. Getting water to the trees will help. Not sure there is an effective pest treatment.
We've lost a couple dozen pines to borers in our neighborhood during the last drought.
We've also lost a few fruit trees & this year looks like there might be a borer in the grafted pluot part of my 4 way plum tree... someone said that the grafted on parts aren't as hardy.
Glenn read that you can paint the trunk with something to help prevent the borers from getting into the tree...
Thankfully we got a lot of rain this past fall, winter & spring - way more than usual & it even rained about an inch in July... but otherwise, our gardens & trees have to be irrigated. The oak trees seem to be pretty hardy although we have had some die over the years.
No signs of any bugs or borers or pests of any kind under the bark. In fact, I noticed this weekend there was no real sign of bugs at all except a few grasshoppers and scorpions. The scorpions are getting thick tho lately. My last two trips I have seen no flies or bees which is unusual. I cannot believe how dry everything is. Looks like everything is just succumbing to drought. I know the cedars take quite a bit of water and perhaps my only hope of saving the oaks will be to think the cedars. My soil has always been sandy, but with the cows most of the trails now look like tossed beach sand powder. We need rain bad.
I got the 220 AC and heater installed this weekend in a thru-wall fashion. 105 in the day, heat index 110+. It actually seemed to do ok all things considered. 18,000 BTU air and 10,200 BTU heating. I'll get to try out the heater aspect of it in deer season.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/August%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-08-13_18.03.08.jpg)
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/August%202011/_thumbs/640x480-2011-08-13_23.13.07.jpg)
May want to cut out all the cedar trees, they not only soak up the water but will kill nearby trees...They are the invasive species...
Muldoon, it is just dry. We are losing trees daily. Look at the tops of the trees. If they lose the leaves up top, they'll be dead in a couple of months.
Quote from: phalynxLook at the tops of the trees. If they lose the leaves up top, they'll be dead in a couple of months.
truer words were never spoken.
I started watching over the past six months and every single tree that exhibited this has either died or is in the process of dying. I still have plenty of trees, but the pattern is not comforting. I have had to chainsaw 4 trees close to the cabin because they went the wrong way. .. and the kicker is, we have been getting rain for the past 6-8 weeks. It just doesn't even matter once the damage is done, it's done.
It's a tough year for cattle folks down here.
hell, it's been a tough year for everybody.
water filter installed.
(http://www.loopy.org/pictures/galleries/Dixon%20Ranch/February%202012/_thumbs/640x480-2012-02-03%2016.25.06.jpg)