Logging Update

It's a little later than we anticipated, but Interfor has started logging the quarter section of Crown Land next to our property. No chainsaws and axes for these guys! It's all done with enormous pieces of mechanized equipment. I haven't taken any pics yet, but will get on it so you can see how it all works. We first heard the buzz of the equipment working on Sunday afternoon and already they have clear cut some enormous swaths through the forest. It's amazing how quickly they can take down the trees! They estimate only 2 -3 weeks to cut it all, followed by 2-3 weeks of hauling the logs away. I made that sound like a linear thing, but the reality is that the hauling starts up very soon after the cutting starts and both tasks are carried out at the same time. So, if that really happens that way, we should have our peace and quiet back in a little over a month. We'll see...
We haven't been standing still at home either. Since the restrictions came off the roads a few weeks ago, we called Ron Hall, our trucking company friend to have him haul up some gravel and sand for our round pen. We estimated 3 truck loads of crushed shale and two truck loads of sand would do it. He brought the crush up last Wednesday and Carol and I spent the weekend moving it from the driveway, through all the gates and fences and down to the round pen. I have the tractor parked by the pile of material and use it to put two bucket loads of the gravel into the back of the Bobcat ATV. It has a powered dump box so we simply manoeuvre it to the spot we need the stuff and push a button to dump it. Of course, we still have to rake it all flat but at least we're not having to shovel it out of the back of the pickup!
Next up we have to compact it down with a tamper and then put a few inches of sand on top. Ron tells us that the compacted shale will withstand lots of abuse and moisture giving our horses some solid footing to work on. The sand is special in that it is supposed to be "dust free". I guess time will tell.
Wednesday also saw Dr. Jennifer Jackson, our large animal vet, out to see the guys, float a few sets of teeth and get everybody vaccinated. I have to say that was the first time I have ever had my hand in a horses mouth...up to the elbow! So much to learn! Jennifer seemed very happy with all the horses so apparently, we're doing a satisfactory job of looking after them!
It was also good to see our friend, Morgan, again. He is now a technician and assistant to the vet, and seems to be enjoying himself. Way to go, Morg!
We finished building the loafing shed and have the first coat of paint/stain on it. We got it to match the siding colour on the house so it looks like we meant it to look that way!
Last weekend also saw the arrival of the cattle on our property. Brian and Louise brought them down so we now have 2 people, 2 dogs, 5 horses, 25 cows, 25 calves, 2 yearling bulls and a bunch of wild animals all living at our place. It's a busy place these days!
I promise to get some pictures up in the next few days and apologize for being tardy in that regard.