All about Shiver River
We entered the woods and onto the Rock Creek trail.
Rock Creek isn’t all that high.
This ditch is feeding into the first culvert.
First culvert
This large wood placement has accumulated an amazing collection of debris.
The pond is low at the moment.
You can see the giant culvert that brings Griffith Creek onto our property.
Shrooms are not as plentiful in December, but a few remain.
City engineers visited in mid November to see where the connection to the new water line along Henkle Way will go.
The little porch is almost finished being repaired and painted.
Baby chicks have hatched. We think Jack is the dad and Big Betty the mom.
The deck is looking good.
So is the paint job on the Rickshed.
On one of our October inspection walks, Bianca clambered down a steep slope to get cooled off in Rock Creek.
There are always things to snip on the forest trails.
The shrooms are poking their heads up everywhere now that we’ve had rain.
Rough-skinned newts were named for their dry granular skin―most other salamander species have moist smooth skin. A terrestrial adult newt has a brown head and back with a bright orange belly and can grow to almost eight inches in total length.
Rough-skinned newts have a powerful neurological poison in their skin and eggs to protect them from predators. A milky white substance is released from glands when disturbed. Avoid hand-to-mouth contact after handling a Rough-skinned newt.
Through the non-breeding season, terrestrial adults live in forested areas along the coast and through to the eastern foothills of the Cascades. They find protection in or under soft logs. For their size, these newts travel relatively long distances between their breeding and non-breeding habitat and may be seen crossing roads during spring and fall as they migrate.
Hurry up, says Bianca. Time to head back.
The Rickshed is painted and full of wood.
The rot evident on the small porch is why it is being repaired.
Until we get the post figured out, this log will hold our newest sign.
On our way to putting the game camera up, we saw a forest friend resting on a piece of log.
Always something blocking a forest road.
Game camera mounted
Sid is super meticulous in making sure the deck is solid, solid, solid! That CAN’T be a commentary on your sisters’ respective volumes!
When the arborists trimmed the oak trees, limbs of many sizes ended up on the Broken-glass road. Because the limbs were mostly rotten, they were light and we managed to clear the road using a small saw and muscle power.
All clear!
Day 1: Sid comes to inspect the progress at the end of the first work day.
Bill and Dee approach the worksite on day 2.
Excavator!
Sterling, Diana and Toby
The entrance into the woods on the Rock Creek trail has been widened, rocked, and two of the three culverts installed. A ditch on the left will direct water seeping toward the road into a culvert.
There is a spot off the lower field where this memorial to Rachel, our friend Robin’s daughter.
Finally getting to the scotch broom … luckily, none of it bloomed this year.
The Rickshed holds more wood than we thought possible!
While Bill and Diana stack wood, Sid builds a deck
After stacking wood, we went to the pond to pick up the game camera. Nothing but deer.
The swimmin’ hole is always gorgeous
Arborist Malcolm’s crew out to remove dead limbs from the oaks that line the perimeter of the farmhouse.
If you look carefully, you may spot someone in the tree.
New entrance light for the passage between the farmhouse and the annex
That mower runs like a Deere!
Sid is busy … progress!
Gravel collection for a hole in the bypass road where we have been loading Mike the Woodcutter’s split firewood.
Our scrawny little elderberry tree has a light crop this year
Tightening bolts on the bridge. Modest success only
Size of wrench that fits the bridge bolts
Clearing the forest road that goes from the Rock Creek road to the planting adjacent to the Watershed road. Lots of obstructions.
Toward the end of the road it gets really wet … particularly in the fall and winter and spring.
Standing water even now, while it is dry elsewhere
The trees are growing well in this 4-5 acre planting
Part of the road will be closed to vehicle traffic due to the wet conditions. Bill clears branches from a footpath.
Marking the entrance to the footpath back to the Rock Creek road. It is really easy to miss otherwise.
Shiver River received Century Status recognition at the State Fair in Salem on August 24, 2024 — KC’s birthday!
Judith, Diana Victoria, KC, Sid, Diana Virginia, Jessica and Kathryn were all there. Bill was there, too, but someone had to take the picture.
Sid is building a deck so that there can be a legitimate escape from the door you see on the right.
Oh no! More wood is arriving.
First, we put the wood holders in place.
Then the stacking …
The big rock in the middle of the forest road was annoying … so we removed it (eventually).
Artichoke blooms in Sid’s garden
Post holes for the deck to the manufactured home. It will allow escape out of the second door in case of a fire.
