Hi from Fireplaceguy

by **fireplaceguy** on Mon Jan 18, 2010 10:00 pm

Hello to everyone. I've been completely occupied with my move to the country. 35 acres with three natural springs and a pond. Abundant wildlife including deer, elk, turkeys, bears and a roving mountain lion. Met the bears (on my front porch) the first week, and have spotted the mountain lion's tracks 4 times now. I added chickens, goats and a big garden to the mix. Wood heat, PV solar and WVO backup generator installed by me as well.

I figured it would be a lot easier to buy everything I needed while I was still in the city earning good money, so I had been going to farm auctions for years. Arrived with a 32' and a 48' semi trailer loaded with things like six foot tall chain link fence panels (instant garden fence, goat pen and chicken yard) tractor & implements (nearly instant garden) fuel tanks, Lister genset, PV modules, garden tools, canning equipment, wood stoves, ham radio antenna, etc., etc., etc. Even with all the planning and pre-purchased supplies, it was quite a challenge and a steep learning curve to set everything up before winter hit. It was a bonus when a very like minded neighbor moved last fall, and an even bigger bonus to meet an interesting lady who lives nearby...

Lots of familiar "faces" here - it'll be interesting to catch up...