Well, the well diggers are just about ready for us, but we aren't ready for them!

So we came up here to start the process. They need an area about 40'x60' cleared all the way down to the dirt, since the grasses are so dry, and they weld on site. And they need it level for their rig - about 15' x 40'. We're considering renting equipment to clear it ourselves, but first we need to clear it so we can see what we might be getting ourselves into. After our experience with weed-whacking the road entrance (4 hours) we decided we'd try something different this time.

We also decided we weren't very happy with the original site selected for the well. Yes, it's already level, but it's right at the edge of our 'RV parking' area, and it's right smack in view as you drive up the road. Originally (over a year ago), the well digger had selected a site further up the hill. We had witched it at that time, and it looked very promising. We decided to do some water witching again.

No one really knows if water witching works. There's no scientific basis for it, and the well diggers have said they've dug for water sometimes where a water witcher insists, without finding water. But we decided it wouldn't hurt to try. We found instructions where you take metal coat hangars, and bend them into an 'L' shape. Holding the short end in your hands loosely (allowing it to turn), with the long end out straight in front, you walk around. When there is water, the long ends turn inward and cross. It is not subtle, as you can see in the pictures.

(As always, click on the picture to get a larger picture that you can see better)

The South Camp meadow is gradually changing. There's a little bit of green left, and some flowers, but the grasses are turning brown.	Looking across the well site, before we strip it down	We literally spent hours water witching. Here, Rob tries his hand at it.(slideshow)
(The obligatory flower picture)	... Rob tries it again, just to make sure. (slideshow)	... And here, Loretta tries her hand at it. We both came up with exactly the same place each time.(slideshow)
Rob drags a large tree branch from the end of the ATV around and around, trying to flatten and/or pull out the weeds. We have a harrow on order, but it hasn't arrived yet. (slideshow)	There's a large log in the way, so Rob prepares to drag it off as well. Loretta really likes the log, so Rob is going to move it to another spot.(slideshow)	The Blazer makes quick work of it. Rob just whips around the property, dragging the log into its new location.(slideshow)
Loretta decides that looks like waaayyyyy too much fun, so she tries her hand at it with the ATV, dragging a smaller log out of the way.(slideshow)	Rob began re-organizing the tool shed, and found some local wood rats had chewed up the bathroom curtains and built a nest in the tool shed.	Loretta sands and stains the firepit benches that Rob built.(slideshow)
The treehouse now has a canopy made from a 2-man tent.

Links to other photo pages:

2006
Camp Repairs5    Grading the Road    Finish the Road    Clear Homesite Circle    Start Hydraulic Ripper Installation    Waterfalls & Rainbows    Chain Saw Loretta    Easter 2006   

2005
New ATV-New Year2005    Home Layout     Kyle Comes to Camp     Loretta Kills Road Weeds     Ryan Visits     Starting Counter Top     Finishing Cabinet     Easter 2005     Wesley's Spring Break     We meet the Architect     Finishing the Tree House     Our First Fire     Memorial Day 2005     Water Witching     Preparing the Well Site     Grading the Well Site     Digging the well     Our New Tractor     Labor Day 2005     Rusty comes to Camp     Smoothing the Road     Our own Water     Fire and Rain     Tractor Maintenance     Customize Tractor     New Backhoe     Thanksgiving 2005    Changing Oils     Solar Chargers & Toothbar    Rainy New Year Weekend   

2004
Three Rivers Home Page     Animal Friends     Then and Now     First Pictures     Rattlesnake Campout     Easter 2004     Building the Road     South Camp Construction     Building Decks     Finishing Decks     The Stair Master     Done at South Camp     Labor Day 2004     Leapin' Lizards     Tracking Bear and Deer     Securing the Camp     Our First Rain     Loretta's Family visits     Coco and the Boardwalk         Start the Treehouse     Frame the Treehouse