Archive for ‘April, 2009’

Raking Rocks and the Spring switcharoo

Today’s raking involved rocks. It is impossible to plow the driveway and not gather a few rocks along the way, particulary at the end near the road which has some uphill bits. There is a window of opportunity for raking the flotsam back into the drive as well as filling in the wheel path with rocks from the “median” – that time when the loose stuff is not yet embedded and is easily moved. I hit it pretty well – it was fairly easy raking. We are to get a bit of rain later this week. After that between the Jeep, UPS, FedEx and the motorhome, the loose stuff will settle in.

Next was the Spring switcharoo – moving the snowblower to a back corner of the garage and bringing the mower and trimmer to the fore.

At the same time, I gave the garage a bit of a clean out via my least favorite implement, the blower. Much as I dislike the thing, it raises less dust than a push broom and also makes quick work of getting pine needles off the roof of the house and garage – that task is on the list for maybe Tuesday after a bit more heat and drying out.

Yesterday, I thought I saw a bit of new green in the larch…

I did! – It was very evident today. The larch, that look like dead trees all winter, are preparing to show their new needles…more green on the way.

Saturday

The photo above was taken just a bit ago, this evening, but the blue sky, sunshine – that was how the day started.

With just a bit of snow left and a bumper crop of pine cones, pine needles and sticks, today’s agenda included raking the yard, along with a bit of a clean up of the motorhome.

Starting to look like a real yard.

By 1:00 I was done with yard and motorhome…and also done! Took a shower and tried to stay awake waiting for friend Kris, who was due for an afternoon visit. The first Spring workday was a bit tough!

I joined Bob on the front porch after Kris left. I plan on a couple or 3 or 4 Advil and then bed shortly, but it was a perfect Saturday – beautiful day, good things accomplished outside and ending the day listening to a soft breeze in the pines…from the front porch.

Somers from a different direction

Parking – all 3 spots ! – were full at our usual Somers walk spot (Rails to Trails) so Plan B – a small area just south of Somers. It is actually a public swimming area but there is a connection to a bike/walk trail as well as a bit of beach away from the swimming area.

I didn’t realize, though, that the winter lake level meant that this area was also high and dry.

I thought Karl would be ready to run out on the exposed sand and planned on walking to the island…

But he stuck to the “shore”.

While hazy, it was nearly 50 and he got warm and stuck to the partially shady beach area.

Summers in Somers shows a bit of what this area looks like in the summer.

The road to Somers

The mountain view part of Karl and my walk is off limits for the time being. The only home in the large acre sub-division that comprises our loop is occupied by its owners for Spring Break. Karl and I have their permission to be on the property when they are not there.

So…we dawdle on our own 8 acres and the 40 acres of state land with peeks at the mountains from the edges.

Yesterday, on a run to Kalispell we headed for the Somers walk en route. As we rounded the bend in Somers Rd., Mr. Hay Farmer on board his John Deere was ahead…

These two Osprey were working on their nest in the bird sanctuary adjacent to the walking trail. The male left for a hunt verifying the pair as Osprey with the characteristic white under-wing – majestic!

Always something interesting and beautiful on the road to Somers, Montana.