Author: Diana Blakney

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.

Bianca loves the look of the partially mowed field. Miss Tym died in the middle of the field mowing, but Sid revived her a day later … a malfunctioning tail light caused the shut down!

Some of the wildflowers (purple) we planted along the broken-glass road are blooming! Rose checker mallow (Sidalcea virgata)

And along the Rock Creek trail, tiny purple flowers (great hedge-nettle)

Keeping our forest trails/roads free and clear is essential during fire season.

I don’t understand how this big Scotch broom plant escaped earlier detection.

Griffith Creek is low.

The riparian Western red-cedars planted by the Marys River Watershed Council are thriving.

Woodcutter Mike has left evidence of his having passed this way.

Crossing Rock Creek feels great on tired feet.

Uh oh…a new obstruction across the Loop trail

No need for the chain saw when you have Bill’s muscles!

The internet/telephone cable folks are placing the cable to the mobile.

The new cable starts at the entrance and heads off to the right. You can see the trench if you look closely.

There weren’t many plums on this tree, but they were tasty.

Machines need TLC too. Sid notices a leaky tire, removes it, and …

Gives it to Dee and Bill to drop off at the tire repair shop. It is fixed and back to work in short order.

The woodshed (aka the Rickshed, named after our favorite carpenter/friend Rick) is 98% completed. Tortellini approves, but advises that there needs to be more gravel at the entrance.

Sid and Bill did some raking and voila!

Contrary to popular belief, Diana was not napping while the guys were raking. She was trimming bushes that were doing their best to break into the house.

There is always some heavy lifting to do.