Author Topic: My Wife's Hide/Part 1 (Read 31444 times)

KensAuto · « **on:** May 22, 2019, 10:53:05 AM »

This will be a slow thread about transforming a 40+ acre heavily wooded property into my wife's and mine summer retreat.

The older we get the hotter it feels in southern Arizona. My wife basically wanted a pool, or somewhere cool. I only liked one of those options.

Arizona, our state, does have some beautiful, northern, high elevation areas, but the nicest areas are still fairly warm in the summer, and pretty expensive for acreage, and also dry.

My dream, like many others, was to head to Alaska, but I knew that would probably never happen. The wife has been retreating to her sister's place in northern Idaho for the last couple years and kept telling me how nice it was, and "there's water everywhere ". ..kinda like Alaska, but half as far.

Fast forward to last fall and we ended up with some land close to the SIL, near the Canadian border.

stlaser · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2019, 03:02:37 PM »

Ken, how are the bugs come July?

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2019, 04:43:03 PM »

And I thought east Texas was green.....

Wow. Beautiful.

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Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2019, 05:12:46 PM »

What is your elevation Ken?

How far do you expect to need to drill for the well?
How many miles is your easement?

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KensAuto · « **Reply #4 on:** May 23, 2019, 01:07:47 AM »

Shawn, when we walked it last July, the mosquitoes were bad. Her sister said is was worse than normal. The grass and other ground cover was like a foot tall everywhere, that's why I took the brush hog. Waste of time because it's only a couple inches tall right now, and very few bugs. Did find a tick yesterday tho. Yuck

Dave, property is about 2500'. Well next door is 240' @25 gallons/min.
SIL hit an artesian a 1/3 mile away tho. They had to build a pond to relieve the excess pressure.
Easement to the uphill driveway is about 1/4 mile..maybe a little more .

KensAuto · « **Reply #5 on:** May 23, 2019, 01:19:34 AM »

Finished the gate today, at the southern property line.

So, we put down 2" shale on the length of the easement, and 2-6" (actually a bunch of large stuff mixed in..like up to 16" in size) on the semi steep driveway after scraping off most of the mud.
Then started hauling 3/4 minus today...5 more loads and still hauling after we left. Sidenote...not used to daylight from 4am to 9 PM. Difficult to sleep in after having a drink or 2.

Felled a dead fir leaning over the road. First "real" tree I've ever cut. Still only about a 20" base.

Might get rid of the yellow sign. It was a last minute purchase but doesn't fit the situation.

stlaser · « **Reply #6 on:** May 23, 2019, 08:03:30 AM »

I think a no trespassing would be more appropriate....

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2019, 08:06:33 AM »

One of my buddies who was a Ranger had a place at the end of a road. On his fence he had a professionally done sign that read: “If you arrive here uninvited your chances for survival are slim”

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Sammconn · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2019, 09:01:41 PM »

Looking good Ken.
I agree with TRN’s version.

Only 4am to 9 pm. I’ll take it. That’s like seven hours of dark.

We’re at about four and a bit hours now and will get to mere moments in a couple weeks.

KensAuto · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2019, 09:27:52 PM »

Sam, buddy, you Canadians do math different...like a metric 7 is actually 5 in the states? ;p
Told the guys we would fish and screw off on Friday and go home Saturday, but 90% chance of rain tomorrow.
Doing some fishing now...lake Pend Orielle.

Bob Smith · « **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2019, 09:39:07 PM »

Beautiful area Ken, some nice trout in the lake, not the lake trout they taste not so good, the rainbow are very good. Nice job on the road, only problem I saw was the lower right photo in the last post. That easement road, how many properties does it serve and is there a road maintenance agreement in place where the cost of maintenance is shared by all?

KensAuto · « **Reply #11 on:** May 24, 2019, 03:14:07 AM »

That mud in the last photo? There's 12" of large rock next to it...just didn't smooth the side out.
4 properties can potentially use that easement, but only one past my property and doesn't plan on building.

We hooked a few smallies, this one the largest, about 2 lbs.

Sammconn · « **Reply #12 on:** May 24, 2019, 07:32:57 AM »

Mmm. Elk is deee lish shush!!!

KensAuto · « **Reply #13 on:** May 25, 2019, 05:25:41 PM »

Thought I posted this, but bought a small shed from the place I got the skid steer..6×8. Just big enough to leave some tools, chainsaw and excavator attachments. Stuck it on an old skidder trail and raised it to let water run under it.

KensAuto · « **Reply #14 on:** May 25, 2019, 05:30:02 PM »

I stuck a cell camera next to the shed and pointed it at the driveway and clearing, then mounted one on the mini x brush guard. ..hope it keeps people honest, and there was also a deer kill in the clearing, so hope to catch some action out there.

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #15 on:** May 25, 2019, 06:07:57 PM »

I just thought of the name of the thread. You sure this isn’t a place to hide the wife?

Make friends with the local law enforcement so if you get a notification and someone is stealing your stuff, you can call them.

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KensAuto · « **Reply #16 on:** May 08, 2020, 10:53:41 PM »

Getting ready to head back up for round two. Would like to make it in less than 28 hours this time so I'm not taking a trailer.
...Decided to travel as a reverse snowbird.
#should'veboughtalongbed

Bob Smith · « **Reply #17 on:** May 08, 2020, 11:41:09 PM »

We just came up US93. Roads in good shape.

KensAuto · « **Reply #18 on:** May 09, 2020, 01:31:35 AM »

Which one is that Bob?
Last time we went through SLC, then Butte, Missoula, etc.... I remember I15.. and maybe I90

Edit: nevermind... just looked it up

stlaser · « **Reply #19 on:** May 09, 2020, 08:41:02 AM »

Yeah, it’s called a map Ken!

Dawg25385 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 09, 2020, 11:40:58 AM »

Wow that’s awesome, welcome to the PNW.

Funny, wife and I are looking at acreage too. Going back today to fly the drone at a 25 acre piece we walked last weekend.

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JR · « **Reply #21 on:** May 09, 2020, 01:19:04 PM »

Nice land, I just didn't want that much snow or the driving time (for now)

KensAuto · « **Reply #22 on:** May 09, 2020, 03:08:45 PM »

Thanks Kyle. It really is a dream come true just going to take awhile to make it work.
Yeah JR. I wish the drive, or flight options, were better but I suppose that's a good part of what makes it special... it's hard to get to.

JR · « **Reply #23 on:** May 09, 2020, 03:11:21 PM »

If I didn't have to have it easy driving, I would do the same, but less snow.

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #24 on:** May 09, 2020, 08:11:07 PM »

That’s the last part of my concentric circle plan. Want some land in an inhospitable area of ID or WY

And yes, Ken, you should have bought the whole truck

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Flyin6 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 10, 2020, 09:34:15 PM »

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on May 09, 2020, 08:11:07 PM

That’s the last part of my concentric circle plan. Want some land in an inhospitable area of ID or WY

And yes, Ken, you should have bought the whole truck

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I'd suggest you get with Duane. He purchased a lot to build on up there near pinedale, and is looking at yet another. But he "knows" where there are many spots that are not necessarily all that accessible in the shadow of the tetons. I'm going to check some spots out in June when i venture out that way.

stlaser · « **Reply #26 on:** May 10, 2020, 09:50:08 PM »

If Duane needs a hippy neighbor I might be interested.....

Flyin6 · « **Reply #27 on:** May 10, 2020, 10:32:00 PM »

Quote from: stlaser on May 10, 2020, 09:50:08 PM

If Duane needs a hippy neighbor I might be interested.....

He's turned into a recluse

Not sure if he's taking emails, texts, phone calls, carrier pigeons nor smoke signals.

wyorunner · « **Reply #28 on:** May 11, 2020, 01:57:45 AM »

Quote from: Flyin6 on May 10, 2020, 09:34:15 PM

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on May 09, 2020, 08:11:07 PM
That’s the last part of my concentric circle plan. Want some land in an inhospitable area of ID or WY

And yes, Ken, you should have bought the whole truck

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I'd suggest you get with Duane. He purchased a lot to build on up there near pinedale, and is looking at yet another. But he "knows" where there are many spots that are not necessarily all that accessible in the shadow of the tetons. I'm going to check some spots out in June when i venture out that way.

Of all places in Wyoming, Jackson hole and surrounding area is the odd duck out (shadow of the Tetons). Think californians trying to ruin life for everyone... yea it’s kind of like that. Sure is beautiful though, and expensive.

KensAuto · « **Reply #29 on:** May 25, 2020, 01:36:57 PM »

Forgot to link the videos from this trip.

And no, I'm not good at utube. I have some long vids but with horrible internet speeds, they're almost impossible to upload, even at 360p.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWcdb26chSAjek4hxPJzvhCropMY_8AWW

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KensAuto · « **Reply #30 on:** June 08, 2020, 12:00:21 AM »

Now we're running power up the side of the mountain for my new neighbor. We'll have a transformer at my southern gate on the easement, the one we did last year.
The neighbor is paying for the job, but I'm donating labor to lower the cost.

It's 1600ish feet from a pole at the bottom, up some pretty steep terrain, to my gate. Jeremy, the guy hired to do the job, already cleared the trees and did the 600 foot section from my gate up to the neighbors build site.

We started by crossing the easement and heading dowhill today. It's not a straight shot but doesn't have to be.

KensAuto · « **Reply #31 on:** June 08, 2020, 12:03:26 AM »

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #32 on:** June 08, 2020, 12:11:52 AM »

That’s a good bunch of digging.

Any requirements for depth for the cable?

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JR · « **Reply #33 on:** June 08, 2020, 01:07:13 AM »

Least you aren't dealing with granite the whole way.

Looks like a youtube video.

Superwhdm · « **Reply #34 on:** June 08, 2020, 07:02:25 AM »

Quote from: KensAuto on May 08, 2020, 10:53:41 PM

Getting ready to head back up for round two. Would like to make it in less than 28 hours this time so I'm not taking a trailer.
...Decided to travel as a reverse snowbird.
#should'veboughtalongbed

What bumper is that? Do you have a front one too? Looks great

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #35 on:** June 08, 2020, 07:21:23 AM »

Sounds like good neighbors. Soon you’ll have WiFi and a pool....

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stlaser · « **Reply #36 on:** June 08, 2020, 10:15:55 AM »

That trench is as crooked as H.....

Sorry, couldn’t help myself. Should work just fine though, looks good buddy!!!

KensAuto · « **Reply #37 on:** June 10, 2020, 12:26:00 AM »

Quote from: Bigdave_185 on June 08, 2020, 12:11:52 AM

That’s a good bunch of digging.

Any requirements for depth for the cable?

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42", bedded 6" below and above but they're cutting us slack on that if we clean the ditch good.
JR, it's not granite but I've hit 36" of solid shale several times and the rest is glacial till... like 1 to 4 foot boulders almost every few feet.

Bumper is homemade...

Been raining and I've slid the mini x a few times. Changed shorts twice.

JR · « **Reply #38 on:** June 10, 2020, 12:44:32 AM »

That hoe should handle all that fine. This flipping granite is meshed together like a puzzle, you have to find the right rock to break it loose.

Think I have to do 36 here for power, 60 if residential. Neighbor just cut 9ft for his septic, that is crazy deep at 2ft wide. Hopefully I don't have the same rock layer he does.

Why does that bumper being custom not surprise me.

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #39 on:** June 10, 2020, 07:49:25 AM »

What size service cable are they laying down?

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KensAuto · « **Reply #40 on:** June 10, 2020, 08:46:06 AM »

Good question Charles. Dunno but they only required 2" pipe. Transformer every 500ft.

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #41 on:** June 10, 2020, 09:09:29 AM »

Probably not that large then. Sounds like they are laying 13kv lines to the transformer. Not a lot of amperage at that voltage. Interesting that it is underground. Here they would put up poles, but I guess ice and snow would make that unrealiable

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dave945 · « **Reply #42 on:** June 10, 2020, 10:06:56 AM »

I wonder if they would have required a larger easement cleared of trees if it was aerial. Plus it might just be choice instead of having cables in the air.

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stlaser · « **Reply #43 on:** June 10, 2020, 11:07:07 AM »

Charles, Indiana was above ground 70% of time. Here in Colorado (front range) 80% is underground and we rarely ever lose electrical service unlike Indiana

JR · « **Reply #44 on:** June 10, 2020, 11:15:50 AM »

Choice in NV, but I get to pay for it either way.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #45 on:** June 10, 2020, 03:59:51 PM »

Everything here in Utah unless it’s the large transmission line Are all underground and we still have power outages

We have a NSA something or another just south of slc. Those lines are massive and flow from four distinct directions, north, East, south , west. Big monsters that sing

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TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #46 on:** June 10, 2020, 06:15:38 PM »

I want to say that’s their server farm IIRC.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Data_Center

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KensAuto · « **Reply #47 on:** June 10, 2020, 08:26:27 PM »

Here overhead isn't allowed for new construction. That's what made it so difficult is finding a way up the hill. The previous person in charge at the power company said it would be a hundred grand . The new guy is cool...he let us go up the property line.
It's a 30 foot easement, 15 each side, but he said we only needed to clear what was necessary. That allowed us to save some larger trees by zig zagging.

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #48 on:** June 10, 2020, 11:00:21 PM »

Looks really nice Ken

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TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #49 on:** June 11, 2020, 01:11:50 AM »

Nice work.

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