Always learning

 I have been staying up here at the Ironrod for over a week now.  I went to town last Saturday to visit my daughter and her family for a couple hours, do some shopping and just get to spend time with the grandkids.  Tomorrow morning after I work for a couple hours I will head back into town.  Need to pick up some supplies and fill propane tanks and water.  Today I had clients and there were times that I was thinking about going to town when I didn't have clients and wanting to be there.  Today was also windy and cloudy, not enjoyable to even be outside in the wind.  The camper was rocking for sure today.  It is suppose to be cloudy, windy, rainy and even snow the rest of the time I am here.  I will go to town tomorrow, maybe spend the night depending on the weather and then come back out till Friday.  Then head back to my daughters for a coupe days before heading back to Glendive and home.  

When I come back the end of May, after I get back from South Africa.  It will be nice because I can unwinterized the camper totally and taking showers in the camper without having to use the Nemo shower system.  I plan to stay off and on through the summer months and into the fall.   

One thing that happened to day that I learned to adjust quickly is that the wind caught the solar panel and pulled out the wires.  I was frustrated but quickly learned that I could get the supplies and fix it myself and it wasn't really that big of deal.  The nice part is that I have a generator I keep in my pickup just incase of times the solar isn't available.  I have actually had to charge the solar unit with the generator because on cloudy days when it has been plugged in all day it wouldn't get enough charge.  Especially like these next couple days when it is supposed to be cold and cloudy for about 4 or 5 days.  I like being prepared.  

I am enjoying the challenge of learning as I adapt to this lifestyle of getting used to being alone and figuring things out.  I try to be prepared but am continuing to gain knowledge and learn to adapt.  I have figured out how all the systems work in the camper now between the solar, battery and propane which might not seem like much to some but for me turning on propane the first time was a little terrifying in that I wasn't sure if I was doing it right and didn't want to blow things up.  I figured out how to get the everything lit and going.  Now it feels natural but I sometimes figuring out these things and learning can be a little overwhelming.  

I am looking forward to continuing to have challenges and learn how to do things over the summer. 

Working on the Iron Rod Homestead.

 The people that come into are just short of amazing. I bought this 20 acres back in February and a couple weeks ago I pulled my camper up here.  I am planning to spend most of the summer up here.  My neighbors here are so amazing and so helpful.  He had mentioned a couple weeks ago that he would cut in a road for me.  So today when he was over we walked around the property trying to figure out where to put the pole barn and plan on building a cabin.  On the south end of the property is small drainage that has water in the spring, and the wildlife like to walk through the drainage.  On the north end is  a hill so I would be higher up and more view but would also be exposed to the North winds and more snow as I would have less protections.  

I ended up picking the south end because I would actually have more of a view around the whole place and the snow capped mountains.  I appreciated all his input in talking me through different options and choices.  Then he leaves and comes back with his bobcat and within an hour has the road all cut in clearing the sagebrush and cactus away.  Clears the area to build the pole barn.  He said he has the base down by the gold mine and will haul it up here when we are ready to start building next month.  Pretty dang amazing to have such helpful neighbors.  

Buying this place really has been a blessing, not only for my own healing, but just in giving me a place to enjoy on my own.  I have really been struggling with feeling at home, at home!  But when I am up here I feel so relaxed and comfortable.   I am looking forward to staying through the week and then it is back to Glendive to get packed and ready to head off to South Africa the following week.  

Spring

I was up at the Rod Iron a couple weeks ago and got to take this picture of a moose calf when I was leaving.  I love that I have land out in the middle of nowhere.  I get to see wildlife whenever I am there.  I have seen a moose every time I have been up there which is just amazing to me.  I am so excited to get started on doing some improvements to the land and getting to spend a lot of time up there.  I am heading up next week and planning to spend most of the summer up there.  I will be working a lot during the day in the camper, but hoping to have a road cut in and the spot leveled out to build a pole barn in the next couple weeks.  I am excited that I can stay up there all summer and just boondock with the camper.  I have plenty of solar and the generator that will make it easy to work, plus with the Starlink the only thing I won’t have is Cell service and you won’t hear me complaining about that.  

I am hoping that this summer I will be able to start on a dry cabin.  My plan is to work on building a living quarter area with a living room and bedroom, then position it so next year after the Ceptic gets put in and we are able to run the plumbing that we can add on a bathroom and Kitchen to the area already built along with another bedroom.  My goal is eventually to have some hunting cabins down at the end of the property for guests to use.  But it all takes time and money so it is going in stages.  I am looking forward to sitting on my porch being able to watch wildlife.  I am going to invest in a really good spotting scope this summer to be able to watch in the valley.  

Monday is Sam’s 1st heavenly birthday.  The lights on the Love Like Justice Bell street bridge will be lit up!  He would have been 70 this years! Hard to believe how much has changed in the last 8 months.  Happy Birthday Sam!  You are so missed.