Wednesday, November 22, 2023

November 16 - DIY Homestead - Backwoods Bug-Out Property (Day 7)

November 16, 2023

Day 776 of the Adventure

Today was a busy day at the Bug-Out property. First to arrive was a well drilling rig. As they were getting set up, we were scrambling around the landing still trying to break rock away from the back wall. The rock was preventing us from getting the area cleared off adequately for the positioning of the shipping containers which were also due to begin arriving today. 

The first 40 foot container showed up about 1:30pm just as we were becoming satisfied that enough rock had finally been removed from the landing. An hour later, the tenuous process for moving it down the road to the landing was underway. There was probably about twenty feet worth of space in front of the container for maneuvering room. It seems loke a lot except the backhoe for doing the maneuvering is about twenty feet long. Leaving no room for error. Consequences of a mistake could likely mean a very fast and rough trip to the bottom of the ravine, bouncing off trees on the way down. We were careful and within about an hour had the first container about 90 percent in position. A little bit of a nerve-wracking process, but satisfying to have complete with no casualties. 

The well was expected to produce water at 700-800 feet of depth. It surprised everyone when good water was produced at about 550 feet. Another victory for the day. 

Carry On

Adventure Quote:  “Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.” ― Frank Zappa

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Lost in the Woods (Colombia/Costa Rica blend)

Please Consider Subscribing to our monthly "How-To", Do-It-Yourself" newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.   AND........

Click any of the following Video links to start your own adventure with us on our YouTube Channel:  

Creating a "Roadmap" Back to the Land


Our 30 Day "Back to the Land" Playlist
Mountain Craft
Making Wooden Buckets (Cooper Craft)
Sassafras Tea Making (Chicks in the Sticks video)

DIY Construction Basics Videos
Shelley Painting Trim (Chicks in the Sticks video)

Sunday Morning Outdoor Breakfast Videos
August 28 Breakfast - Campfire Corned Beef Hash
August 7 Breakfast - Chorizo Burritos 
September 4 Breakfast - Outdoor French Toast
September 11 Breakfast - Run-AmuckMuffins
September 18 Breakfast - Dutch Oven Breakfast Frittata
November 27 Breakfast - Corned Beef Hash and Eggs

Fun Videos
Run Amuck Road Trip - Thunder Muffins
Run-Amuck Road Trip - Roaring River State Park

Earning Income with Our Camp and Cabin Rentals
(How We Did It)

Treasured Times Crew to the Rescue Cabin Building (Treasured Times Video)
 

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Wednesday, November 15, 2023

November 15 - DIY Homestead - Backwoods Bug-Out Property (Day 6)

November 15, 2023

Day 775 of the Adventure

Yesterday presented an unexpected surprise in the form of a bunch of ledge rock in our excavation area. Today presented a surprise that got all of us just a little excited. Is it a cave? We're not sure yet. There is certainly an opening there that was completely undiscovered until we dug into the side of it. A combination of loose and tight rocks and dirt obstruct the opening somewhat be we can see back into it far enough to keep our curiosity piqued. Ironically, the cave is situated perfectly between the two structures that will be on the landing. It might make for a protected site that can be worked on over time. 

Fortunately, we managed to get the ledge rock removed, much to the relief of the backhoe. It complained but performed admirably as a rock breaker. It became a hillybilly backhoe though in the process. It is now missing a tooth from trying to chew through something it was not designed for. Oh Well...... I guess that's what it signed up for by choosing to live in the Ozarks Backwoods. Roadbed rock was delivered on schedule today. The delivery drivers were happy to back their trucks down to the landing saving us a day's worth of moving crushed rock. Guess what, we gained our extra free work day to finish breaking up the ledge rock. Back on schedule!

Carry On

Adventure Quote:  “sometimes it's the unexpected that's worth all the effort”  ― Callan Rowe

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Lost in the Woods (Colombia/Costa Rica blend)

Please Consider Subscribing to our monthly "How-To", Do-It-Yourself" newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.   AND........

Click any of the following Video links to start your own adventure with us on our YouTube Channel:  

Creating a "Roadmap" Back to the Land


Our 30 Day "Back to the Land" Playlist
Mountain Craft
Making Wooden Buckets (Cooper Craft)
Sassafras Tea Making (Chicks in the Sticks video)

DIY Construction Basics Videos
Shelley Painting Trim (Chicks in the Sticks video)

Sunday Morning Outdoor Breakfast Videos
August 28 Breakfast - Campfire Corned Beef Hash
August 7 Breakfast - Chorizo Burritos 
September 4 Breakfast - Outdoor French Toast
September 11 Breakfast - Run-AmuckMuffins
September 18 Breakfast - Dutch Oven Breakfast Frittata
November 27 Breakfast - Corned Beef Hash and Eggs

Fun Videos
Run Amuck Road Trip - Thunder Muffins
Run-Amuck Road Trip - Roaring River State Park

Earning Income with Our Camp and Cabin Rentals
(How We Did It)

Treasured Times Crew to the Rescue Cabin Building (Treasured Times Video)
 

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November 14 - DIY Homestead - Backwoods Bug-Out Property (Day 5)

November 14, 2023

Day 774 of the Adventure

We finally made it as far as the landing today and started working up the area to accept the future living quarters. (Which we will keep a secret for the moment) The important thing is that we made it down the hill without incident. That was the good news. The not so good news was the ledge rock that we ran into about 10 feet into the hillside. That represented only one forth of the total needing excavated. The poor backhoe began to really earn it's keep today. 

With all of the schedule deadlines that need to be kept this week, the unexpected rock sent us an ominous signal that schedules may be at risk. I was feeling like we may need to somehow add an extra day to the week. The well driller guy showed up and said he could begin drilling in two days. Eight loads of crushed rock is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. All of that needs to be spread and leveled on the landing by Thursday morning.............. And we got ledge rock to break through!

Carry On

Adventure Quote:  “Sometimes the most scenic roads in life are the detours you didn't mean to take.” ― Angela N. Blount

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Lost in the Woods (Colombia/Cost Rica blend)

Please Consider Subscribing to our monthly "How-To", Do-It-Yourself" newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.   AND........

Click any of the following Video links to start your own adventure with us on our YouTube Channel:  

Creating a "Roadmap" Back to the Land


Our 30 Day "Back to the Land" Playlist
Mountain Craft
Making Wooden Buckets (Cooper Craft)
Sassafras Tea Making (Chicks in the Sticks video)

DIY Construction Basics Videos
Shelley Painting Trim (Chicks in the Sticks video)

Sunday Morning Outdoor Breakfast Videos
August 28 Breakfast - Campfire Corned Beef Hash
August 7 Breakfast - Chorizo Burritos 
September 4 Breakfast - Outdoor French Toast
September 11 Breakfast - Run-AmuckMuffins
September 18 Breakfast - Dutch Oven Breakfast Frittata
November 27 Breakfast - Corned Beef Hash and Eggs

Fun Videos
Run Amuck Road Trip - Thunder Muffins
Run-Amuck Road Trip - Roaring River State Park

Earning Income with Our Camp and Cabin Rentals
(How We Did It)

Treasured Times Crew to the Rescue Cabin Building (Treasured Times Video)
 

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November 13 - DIY Homestead - Backwoods Bug-Out Property (Day 4)

November 13, 2023

Day 773 of the Adventure

We decided to make ourselves an outdoor breakfast today and got a nice surprise from the grandsons. Boys for Breakfast in the woods. I'm not sure we could have come up with any better idea for the day. Upon exploring everything within reach when they first got there, the younger grandson politely asked if it was okay to play in the dirt. I guess dirt and little boys go together just right. They loved the campfire and became determined to make a campfire site of their own. After raking some leaves away and dragging up some firewood, they were immediately off to something else of interest before any of it could be lit up. After a couple hours of investigating the hillside, the boys gave hugs all around and were off to their next destination of the day. They've already put their personal stamp of approval on the project and declared they would be back soon. 

Carry On

Adventure Quote:  “In the wilderness, one begins to wonder.” ― Lailah Gifty Akita

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Lost in the Woods (Colombia/Costa Rica blend)

Please Consider Subscribing to our monthly "How-To", Do-It-Yourself" newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.   AND........

Click any of the following Video links to start your own adventure with us on our YouTube Channel:  

Creating a "Roadmap" Back to the Land


Our 30 Day "Back to the Land" Playlist
Mountain Craft
Making Wooden Buckets (Cooper Craft)
Sassafras Tea Making (Chicks in the Sticks video)

DIY Construction Basics Videos
Shelley Painting Trim (Chicks in the Sticks video)

Sunday Morning Outdoor Breakfast Videos
August 28 Breakfast - Campfire Corned Beef Hash
August 7 Breakfast - Chorizo Burritos 
September 4 Breakfast - Outdoor French Toast
September 11 Breakfast - Run-AmuckMuffins
September 18 Breakfast - Dutch Oven Breakfast Frittata
November 27 Breakfast - Corned Beef Hash and Eggs

Fun Videos
Run Amuck Road Trip - Thunder Muffins
Run-Amuck Road Trip - Roaring River State Park

Earning Income with Our Camp and Cabin Rentals
(How We Did It)

Treasured Times Crew to the Rescue Cabin Building (Treasured Times Video)
 

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November 12 - DIY Homestead - Backwoods Bug-Out Property (Day 3)

November 12, 2023

Day 772 of the Adventure

We spent most of the day moving the Road down the hill at the Backwoods property. Adreane heard us talking about bears and armed herself. I'm not sure if the neon vest was to guard against deer hunters or make herself conspicuous to the backhoe driver. Maybe a little of both. The day went off without a hitch and no bears were to be seen. 

The Bug-Out property is up against almost 250,000 acres of National Forest. It's remote as it is all by itself, but add that much land out the back door and it's a recipe for getting lost.  Of course, if disappearing is part of the game plan, then this is just right. 

Carry On

Adventure Quote:  “... there's a silent voice in the wilderness that we hear only when no one else is around. When you go far, far beyond, out across the netherlands of the Known, the din of human static slowly fades away, over and out.” ― Rob Schultheis

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Lost in the Woods (Colombia/Costa Rica blend)

Please Consider Subscribing to our monthly "How-To", Do-It-Yourself" newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.   AND........

Click any of the following Video links to start your own adventure with us on our YouTube Channel:  

Creating a "Roadmap" Back to the Land


Our 30 Day "Back to the Land" Playlist
Mountain Craft
Making Wooden Buckets (Cooper Craft)
Sassafras Tea Making (Chicks in the Sticks video)

DIY Construction Basics Videos
Shelley Painting Trim (Chicks in the Sticks video)

Sunday Morning Outdoor Breakfast Videos
August 28 Breakfast - Campfire Corned Beef Hash
August 7 Breakfast - Chorizo Burritos 
September 4 Breakfast - Outdoor French Toast
September 11 Breakfast - Run-AmuckMuffins
September 18 Breakfast - Dutch Oven Breakfast Frittata
November 27 Breakfast - Corned Beef Hash and Eggs

Fun Videos
Run Amuck Road Trip - Thunder Muffins
Run-Amuck Road Trip - Roaring River State Park

Earning Income with Our Camp and Cabin Rentals
(How We Did It)

Treasured Times Crew to the Rescue Cabin Building (Treasured Times Video)
 

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Tuesday, November 14, 2023

November 11 - DIY Homestead - Backwoods Bug-Out Property (Day 2)

November 11, 2023

Day 771 of the Adventure - Day 2 of the Backwoods Bug-Out build. 

The backhoe sat quietly be the side of the road last night waiting for dawn. As the Saturday sunrise brought a new light to the wilderness, we descended upon the worksite and began opening the road onto the property. I asked Mike once again why this was an important decision to him. You never know what might happen next! was his response. I'm not sure I've gotten to the bottom of this yet, but close enough for now. Time to disappear into the woods!

What would compel you to secure a remote piece of wilderness for a "Get-Away Escape"?

Carry On

Adventure Quote:  “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity” ― John Muir

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Lost in the Woods (Colombia/Costa Rica blend)

Please Consider Subscribing to our monthly "How-To", Do-It-Yourself" newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.   AND........

Click any of the following Video links to start your own adventure with us on our YouTube Channel:  

Creating a "Roadmap" Back to the Land


Our 30 Day "Back to the Land" Playlist
Mountain Craft
Making Wooden Buckets (Cooper Craft)
Sassafras Tea Making (Chicks in the Sticks video)

DIY Construction Basics Videos
Shelley Painting Trim (Chicks in the Sticks video)

Sunday Morning Outdoor Breakfast Videos
August 28 Breakfast - Campfire Corned Beef Hash
August 7 Breakfast - Chorizo Burritos 
September 4 Breakfast - Outdoor French Toast
September 11 Breakfast - Run-AmuckMuffins
September 18 Breakfast - Dutch Oven Breakfast Frittata
November 27 Breakfast - Corned Beef Hash and Eggs

Fun Videos
Run Amuck Road Trip - Thunder Muffins
Run-Amuck Road Trip - Roaring River State Park

Earning Income with Our Camp and Cabin Rentals
(How We Did It)

Treasured Times Crew to the Rescue Cabin Building (Treasured Times Video)
 

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November 10 DIY Homestead - Seeing the New Property for the FIRST Time!

November 10, 2023

Day 770 of the Adventure

Friday, November 10, 2023. It's a special day today. For us but more for our daughter and her husband. After having bought a property sight unseen, they got their first chance to see it today. In addition to that, it was a day for looking at and then purchasing a backhoe to get started on their next big adventure. I can't feel right about jumping ahead of the project announcement. That being said. I am comfortable throwing out a few teasers here and there. Since Shelley and I are part of the labor team, we're right in the middle of the "Backwoods Bug-Out" mystery property. 

The Backhoe deal was made after a brief try-out and the seller delivered it to the project site. Saturday will see the beginning of the opening up of the property. 

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “We need the tonic of wildness...At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature.”  ― Henry David Thoreau

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Lost in the Woods (Colombia/Costa Rica blend)

Please Consider Subscribing to our monthly "How-To", Do-It-Yourself" newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.   AND........

Click any of the following Video links to start your own adventure with us on our YouTube Channel:  

Creating a "Roadmap" Back to the Land


Our 30 Day "Back to the Land" Playlist
Mountain Craft
Making Wooden Buckets (Cooper Craft)
Sassafras Tea Making (Chicks in the Sticks video)

DIY Construction Basics Videos
Shelley Painting Trim (Chicks in the Sticks video)

Sunday Morning Outdoor Breakfast Videos
August 28 Breakfast - Campfire Corned Beef Hash
August 7 Breakfast - Chorizo Burritos 
September 4 Breakfast - Outdoor French Toast
September 11 Breakfast - Run-AmuckMuffins
September 18 Breakfast - Dutch Oven Breakfast Frittata
November 27 Breakfast - Corned Beef Hash and Eggs

Fun Videos
Run Amuck Road Trip - Thunder Muffins
Run-Amuck Road Trip - Roaring River State Park

Earning Income with Our Camp and Cabin Rentals
(How We Did It)

Treasured Times Crew to the Rescue Cabin Building (Treasured Times Video)
 

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Thursday, November 9, 2023

November 9 - DIY Homestead

November 9, 2023

Day 769 of the Adventure

Our newest Run-Amuck project is a woodshed. We are framing things up a little differently than we normally would. Instead of setting all the posts in cement before we do anything else, we are setting all the posts up and bracing them in place. The reason is we plan to pour cement in the post holes but also pour the slab for the wood storage area at the same time. This makes the floor and the post holes all one continuous pour of cement. (And one big piece of cement rather that the post holes and floor  separated) Will it make any difference? I' honestly don't know. It will be one large piece of cement and I would think it would be stronger. That's my theory and I'm sticking with it. 

Carry On

Adventure Quote:  “In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is.”  ― Benjamin Brewster

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Lost in the Fog (Guatemala Decaf)

Please Consider Subscribing to our monthly "How-To", Do-It-Yourself" newsletter in the upper right corner of this page.   AND........

Click any of the following Video links to start your own adventure with us on our YouTube Channel:  

Creating a "Roadmap" Back to the Land


Our 30 Day "Back to the Land" Playlist
Mountain Craft
Making Wooden Buckets (Cooper Craft)
Sassafras Tea Making (Chicks in the Sticks video)

DIY Construction Basics Videos
Shelley Painting Trim (Chicks in the Sticks video)

Sunday Morning Outdoor Breakfast Videos
August 28 Breakfast - Campfire Corned Beef Hash
August 7 Breakfast - Chorizo Burritos 
September 4 Breakfast - Outdoor French Toast
September 11 Breakfast - Run-AmuckMuffins
September 18 Breakfast - Dutch Oven Breakfast Frittata
November 27 Breakfast - Corned Beef Hash and Eggs

Fun Videos
Run Amuck Road Trip - Thunder Muffins
Run-Amuck Road Trip - Roaring River State Park

Earning Income with Our Camp and Cabin Rentals
(How We Did It)

Treasured Times Crew to the Rescue Cabin Building (Treasured Times Video)
 

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