Sue and I took the truck to Hope with the plan to bring back some firewood. Surprisingly, it snowed all the way there, and there was a snow berm at the top of the driveway. Looked like about 10 inches of snow on the ground, more coming down, and it was warming up. We knew the canopy tent would need clearing; couldn't just turn and go home. While I began shoveling a spot to at least get the truck off the road, Sue went down to bump the inside of the canopy with the broom. She had to work pretty hard to get it to clear. I started working my way down the drive making a slot one shovel wide along the left side. At the bottom of the steep part, I went back up and made another slot for the other wheel. Before too damn long I was around the corner and to the parking spot. Made a slot for the truck to tuck in against the canopy, and then drove it down. We were committed at that point. With the newspaper, birchbark, and kindling we brought, we soon had a nice little fire going right on top of where the F-1 had been dumped. Sue tended the fire while I finally cleared enough to get that lame little fake 4WD turned around, and then we had lunch of weiners and pretzels and ginger beer. It was lightly drizzling so we had chairs under the end of the canopy; pretty cozy. I knew that the only way the Ranger would get back up the hill was with some weight in it. Thought about just loading some birch, but we always need dry wood at home, so I checked out the standing dead spruce behind the parking pit and decided to drop it. Waded back there with the saw and soon had the tree jammed up in the timber. Managed to get a number of lengths cut off it, and left the top still standing amidst the birch. By the time I had carried the chunks to the truck through the snow, I was whipped and it was nearly dark. We cleaned up, crossed our fingers, and I drove out in compound low without a hitch. Not the time to get stuck.
Will have to keep an eye on the Hope weather and try to track how much snow is falling. That canopy can only handle so much loading. May have to call Willie (227-4378) and have him plow the driveway if we can't stay on top of it (or just wait out the winter?).
Let's get together and decide what we want to do . . . I guess I'm more inclined to winterize the canopy (take it down) and wait out the winter. At least until we get a cabin up there . . . I mean the outhouse IS nice but I can think of other places I'd rather hang out.
ReplyDeleteI was in Hope this weekend, too! Wish I had known you two were around... my friend and I got into some questionable/dire situations and could have used a large truck/moral support. Actually, Willie was the one who bailed us out! (the second time...). Real nice guy. I was gonna check out the property but given the series of fiascoes this weekend, didn't make it down. Would have been great to see you! Let's hang out at the cabin and be warm and dry all winter long! Can't wait for thanksgiving!!
ReplyDeleteI think the canopy needs to come down, too, before it comes down on its own. Having a dry spot is great, but it can wait. Getting up there for wood as needed is the main draw at this time. I just got so far behind with the surgery. Lets make time to wrap that up. A few tools can be stored in the outhouse, the rest come back. Arran, what in the world happened? I haven't seen anyone use the word "dire" in awhile... Hope you are OK. Must have been stuck, there was a lot of snow. My truck is not a puller, but I did have a come-along with. Will have to hear that story!
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