Trip Date: July 6, 2020
Find this SpotThis was set to be another historic trip to the property, following the last trip where we had the fence and gates installed and the trailer came up. I had ordered a steel carport structure weeks ago and it was finally time for it to be installed Tuesday afternoon. We arrived Monday and unloaded and set up. It was a historic day as it was the first time I was setting up my new tent, the previous one getting baked into a brittle veneer having endured an entire summer on the Hill.
The tent went up easily and without need for instructions, as every man knows. I was unloaded and hydrating myself as Mike pulled up in the Isuzu. There was much rejoicing. We decided that we would have plenty of time to move the trailer out of the way in the morning before the construction crew arrived, so we didn’t push to deal with that. Instead, we had a mellow afternoon and kind of settled into the evening. I heated up a lasagna Kristen made for us and we had some of her delicious pasta salad for a quick, easy, and yummy dinner.
The wind was blowing pretty good and it was plenty warm, so we didn’t have a fire, but plenty of cocktails ensued. The first day is always a big one, so Mike was off to bed and I was up late, at least 9:30, talking to K. The phone rang, and when I read the area code to K, she mentioned that she thought it was Fresno area. Rather than ignoring it, I figured I better check to see if it might have something to do with the cover. Sure enough, it was the guys coming back in from their job outside Reno letting me know they would be at our place between 6:00 and 6:30 tomorrow morning. He didn’t even know exactly where he was or what what the closest town was, so I didn’t give much credence to the idea they would actually be out here, another hour North of Susanville, that early.
I hadn’t woken Mike up that night just to tell him of the call, but since K called me at 4:58 to make sure I was awake, I figured I better roust his ass just in case they did show up. I told the guy I was happy to have him come so early, but they would have to wait for us to get the trailer out of the way. I got coffee going and Mike got up and we were barely moving on only 2 legs, when the phone rang at 6:10 to say they were at the intersection. Unbelievable. I walked out to the point and saw them down below. I sent Mike down to let them in the gate and called them to say we were on the way. I couldn’t believe this was actually happening, and ahead of schedule, but now, the reality of moving the trailer set in.
I had moved the utility trailer down the hill yesterday, but now their giant rig and massive trailer was up here. Mike left his rig down below too, but turning their truck and trailer around, with our trailer in the middle of the cleared space, was quite an achievement. A few sage bushes were injured in the process, but eventually he had the truck pointed back down the road and the trailer full of parts and pieces where he wanted it. We reviewed the paperwork and the order, but the lead guy/driver said there was no cement for the corners on his paperwork. Now we had a problem-just as I thought.
I wasn’t really pissed because I was somewhat skeptical about this whole thing, so the fact that we were actually going to get it erected today was somewhat surprising. But, they were here, here early, and seemed like really good guys. He didn’t argue or raise his voice or make a big scene, but he made it clear there was no concrete. I went up to review my papers and couldn’t see exactly where it said concrete, but I saw what I thought was meant by concrete. I called Robert back in Louisiana and he reviewed to order and confirmed that indeed, despite my notes clearly saying concrete in each corner, it had not been ordered or paid for. Like any good salesman, he made up some exaggerated wind rating for the extra rods I did get, and that would have to suffice, at least for now.
Going back to the lead guy, I said it was all good and they continued unloading and preparing their gear. Now, it was our turn. I got the truck backed to the trailer no problem, stabilizers retracted, coupling elevated and attached to the hitch. The truck didn’t surrender to the weight, and when I first moved it all, it didn’t seem like it was working too too hard. Back and forth a few feet at a time. Turning sharply this way then that, back and forth, back and forth. One of the crew was guiding me at the front of the truck and Mike was behind the trailer. For an eternity we went back and forth moving just about nowhere. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and suggested an alternative route. They both agreed there was some merit to the idea, perhaps only because it was different than what we had been doing.
We took the new approach and quickly found ourselves in the old approach, realizing that we had to just stick with it and take one inch at a time. With each 8 foot drive, I was getting more and more confident in the truck. It has been an amazing rig and I have been giving considerable thought to trying to take it easy on her, but with each massive load of materials I haul up from Sacramento, each trailer load I pull from Virlin’s, and rock, soil, building materials I bring up and down the hill, I realize she is just going to have a hard life until the end. I was ramming her up into the brush a little more and not quite stopping exactly when they told me too, and soon enough I could see in Mike’s face, we finally had the angle to get her out of the way. There was much rejoicing.
Now it was time for the crew to get on it. They were great guys, happy, joking, laughing all the time. They moved with purpose; synchronized, energized, and with great efficiency. There was no standing around staring into space leaning on shovels. They sort of asked where we wanted it and we sort of just moved the first piece of the structure they placed on the ground. The tape measures came out and hands stroked beards at a feverish pace. Much thinking was happening with little to show for it. They added pieces to give us the entire picture and we eventually moved the frame right back to where they had initially set it out. We did push it West a bit, and when Mike and I stepped back to get a better perspective, it was good.
The 3-man crew descended on the frame like a hungry pack of hyenas and the clanging and drilling and cutting began in earnest. Mike and I retired to the shade of the Western Addition to watch/not watch the guys get it on. It was very cool to see them work so well together. It still only being about 7:30, we got them coffee (to make them go even faster!) and got out of the way. They would call us over from time to time to show us something or ask us something, but they were getting the frame set out and pinned in place. Then came the laughter.
One of the guys motioned us over to show us a massive boulder they were hunched over. It was the same boulder Mike and I had been trying to avoid while thinking about the positioning of the trailer and thus the cover. Of course, in laying out the frame for the cover, we inadvertently placed the corner post right on top of this boulder. They had dug around the outside and tried to pound on it and pry on it, but it was not budging. Not really thinking about what they were asking for or why they called us over, we just got to digging alongside the guys. It clearly had to go and we were all that was available to move it.
The guys were laughing and teasing each other and shoveling, digging, scraping away. We got the pry bars but it was way too soon for that. We got the heavy chain and dug a channel under the boulder to set it. Way too soon for that. More and more digging around the perimeter, pulling out dirt and smaller rocks until we could at least make it vibrate. With all of us on one side, we heaved on the bars until we lifted her slightly. The second time we got the chain set underneath, and we seemed to think we had a chance. Still too soon. More digging and unearthing, breaking the grip the earth had on her until she was free of the surrounding debris, but gravity still had a serious grip.
Again we pried, without a clear idea of the goal or the end result needed.
The backs and legs strained mightily, the bars bowed seriously. One bar under, then 2 more, then a hoist of the chain. Inches of progress, perhaps less. Now we were getting the hang of the dance. Two bars to lift a little the third to hold it as the others repositioned. Another heave and hold. Chain work, bars moved another inch. Finally it was near vertical and one of the guys could get leverage underneath and rolled her over. The bottom technically never moved, but she was out of the way of the end of the frame and the placement of the anchor bar to hold it in place. There was much rejoicing. It still wasn’t even 9:00 and I was done for the day.
These guys didn’t miss a beat as they got right back to what they had been doing. Soon the frame was up and the cover pieces were going on. We brought them a jug of cold water but I don’t think they even touched it. Two more jobs to do today before they could head back to Fresno, to load up, and head out again. By 11:30, we had paid them, given them a handsome tip, and they were heading down the road. It was amazing to have the cover in place. Now all we needed was the trailer back underneath it.
I needed a beverage to understand it all and to muster the courage to wrestle with getting the trailer positioned under the cover. After some refreshments, we had a plan, and it worked perfectly. We could pull up alongside the cover, then back down the road and pull right into the opening. It was spectacularly easy. Until it wasn’t. We realized we had to clear some rock out in front of the cover to provide enough maneuvering room to get the truck out. The initial escape route was much too tight of a turn as the truck was much farther out in front of the end of the cover than anticipated. OK, rock removal, no problem. We had done our share since we started making a stand up here. We just wanted to avoid having to move that one monster.
We realized we were a little close to the edge for the slide out so we made a few runs at situating the trailer perfectly under the cover. Now, it was clear, more rocks needed to go to be able to pull out. So it would be. All the little stuff and sage went easily, the basketballs less so, but with a reasonable amount of effort. Finally, it was clear we would not avoid the monster; it had to be confronted. Harkening back to our morning exercise, we began excavating the perimeter. The digging wasn’t especially difficult, but with each round of pick and shovel, it was becoming increasingly apparent the size of the beast. She was a biggun.
More pick, more shovel, some bar work. Over and over and repeat. We had to be getting close. Eventually it vibrated and shook clear of the earth. Now the anti-gravity portion was going to be a bitch. Bar and Juniper branch; bar work and picks got her to spin, but not get out of the way. She was like a huge potato but with sharp angle where the smooth sides should be preventing her from rolling. After much prying and temporary support to maintain the inches of elevation we had gained, we were able to get under her enough to roll her out of the pit. She fought every centimeter until finally we had clearance.
After using much of the debris to fill in the hole the boulder left, I was back in the truck, to see if we now had adequate room to pull out. Not quite yet. I was hung up on the next series of bedrock, but a small miracle occurred that day. As I was climbing up the boulder with my front left tire, my back end was sliding sideways to the left, turning the truck in place a couple feet. While I didn’t want to engage the 4-wheel drive while trying to make such a tight turn, once my ass spun around a little, I had a fairly straight shot. Once engaged, I crawled over the edge of the boulder and out to clear space. Oh my god! I got out of 4-wheel drive and drove far away as if the boulder field that was once in front of me was going to reach back out and pull me in again. We were overjoyed that we finally had trailer under cover and truck out of the way. Needless to say, a beverage or several were involved in a serious celebration.
It was only about 2:00, but we were definitely done for the day.
As we lounged on the kitchen deck with a celebratory cocktail, a huge Bald Eagle elevated from right behind the cocktail lounge and, perhaps seeing/sensing us, swung broadside to the East rather than come right over us. I got a great view of his white ends and massive wings. He was a great addition to the plentiful bird life we are experiencing with each trip. We had a great steak dinner with stuffed mushrooms and regaled in the stories from the day. We were excited to see Bob and Kevin coming up tomorrow and sleep came very easily. We had decided early to take Wednesday off, especially after our rock moving adventures from yesterday. We just kind of wandered around the cover and admired it, while Mike made some more progress with the water, power, and propane systems.
Eventually, Bob came up the hill in the early afternoon and we got to unloading him and he got to setting up his tent and all. Kevin followed shortly thereafter, close enough to cocktail hour after a brief tour for Kevin, this being his first time up. We had a great chicken and vege BBQ with a salad Kevin made. It was a delicious meal that put the finishing touches on a great day. We made a plan for Thursday and called it a day.
The wind eventually subsided in the night, as it usually does, and the early morning was exceptionally calm, quiet, and cool. It was a great morning. After coffee and some light refreshments, we got to it. Mike and Bob got working on the Annex, and being determined to stay in the shade, Kevin and I went to trimming branches. Kevin had a nasty cut on his finger which required several stitches, so he was on light duty, but we got a lot done. By the time we lost our shade, it was lunch time, so we broke for some grub and to let the shade get onto the area where the steps would go.
Mike and Bob took on the steps and Kevin and I switched to the Western Addition. Kevin then helped me follow Bob’s direction to get the window above the counter installed and we were done for the day by about 3:00. The kitchen had been dramatically improved with new decks East and West and stairs in exactly the best spot. It was another incredible day; much accomplished with a reasonable amount of effort, almost entirely in the shade. We headed out for showers and naps before reconvening for cocktails and dinner. I headed down to the shitter to see if I could suction water out of the full 250 gallon tank. I got up on a ladder to remove the paint strainer the water ran through before entering the tank and there was about an inch of fine gravel, sand, and debris in the bottom. There was a little beautiful green algae or similar photoautotrophic growth.
I didn’t have my glasses since I was preparing to shower, so I had to stick my beak way inside the bag to try to see everything that was in the bottom. Suddenly, I realized 2 tiny baby frogs were staring back at me. I shrieked like a little girl and flung the bag to the ground, almost falling backwards off the ladder. Regaining some of my dignity, I got the bag off the ground to check them out a little more and then tried to prop the bag open so they could get out. Hopefully they can make a go of it under the shitter.
As I took a big swig on the siphon hose, I got a great stream of cool water and had a great shower. Kevin called out to me from his shower spot way up by the trailer. It was funny to have 3 naked guys all showering at the same time, but safely practicing social distancing to be sure.
Kevin BBQ’d saaaaaaaaaausages and Mike put on some steak. We had a nice vege brew and several cocktails. At exactly the appointed time, Tim and Cindy called to say they were at the gate but it was locked; a new irritant. They came around the S. Grasshopper gate and pulled up top the hill on their quad. It was great to see them and sit down for a nice visit. I know Cindy is anxious for the day some girls come, but we did our best to be entertaining. After they left, Tim texted to say he had locked the gate. It wasn’t until then I noticed that Dale had called to say he didn’t get our message until late, and by the time he had gotten over here, the gate was locked, so we missed him entirely, but, nonetheless, it was an outstanding day.
I called Dale the next morning and had him come up right away since Mike and Kevin were leaving. He came right up and they had a nice visit. I also called Bruce from whom we bought the trailer and he and Mike had a nice conversation. Mike was super happy to talk to him and got many of his questions answered. Mike and Kevin took off, and Dale offered to bring some beers and come back tonight before he left. Soon, it was just me and Bob and we got to laying out the cabin foundation. As it with most things, I had gone back and forth and then come full circle again as to the location. Notwithstanding the slight possibility that some day the trailer may need to be moved, I settled on the original idea of forming an “L” out of the trailer and the cabin, with the slight adjustment of perhaps leaving enough room to get a rig in front of the trailer alongside the cabin.
With the piers Bob brought up, we got them set in no time, and after the beams were placed, Bob was amazed at how square and level the thing was. It looked to be in a good location and will fulfill the original concept. Again, it was about 3:00 and we were beat. Time to hit the shower, but first, a celebratory beverage. Bob primarily drinks his whiskey straight and neat. Although I don’t waste my money on quality booze, I made him a whiskey drink with a few drops of aromatic bitters and a few drops of orange bitters. It was most excellent.
Another great shower by the shitter and clean clothes and a review of all we had accomplished really lifted my spirits, although I was spent from the effort. We just heated up leftover lasagna and steak and had a few more of Kristen’s excellent cookies. About 6:30, I noticed Dale still hadn’t arrived and so I checked my phone. He called a half hour ago to say the fucking gate was locked again. For christ’s sake! I poured myself a cocktail for the road and raced down the hill at breakneck speed. I found Dale just coming through the S. Grasshopper gate, relieved to have finally made it through the gauntlet.
Up top, he let his dogs out, which he rarely does, but it was great fun. He handed me a baggy with 6 beers in it. I was well lubed by then, but looked forward to spending a little time with Dale. We got him on baseball and off he went. We were quickly done with the beers when he suggested it was time for some of that Jim Beam. Oh my.
I poured drinks all around and we settled in for the late night show. We stayed with the baseball theme, but strayed out to the rough edges of partying, and pool playing, and peeing contests. Stories of farmers coming together from all over to play ball together; massive BBQ’s of fresh beef and all the best baking from the women-folk. Huge metal troughs filled with ice and drinks of all kinds. Baseball was a significant community enterprise way back in the day. Dale’s people played and supported baseball for generations from Nevada City to Woodland. What a great history.
I was worried about Dale driving home even though there wasn’t much difficulty he could get into. I was also concerned he had forgotten his old black dog as she was constantly walking around the perimeter of the light and I didn’t see her get in the truck. The younger white dog stayed right with Dale and interacted with us to get a scratch or pet every once in a while. But off he went and off we went into a thick, heavy foggy, slumber. The morning was only slightly clearer.
Coffee, fruit, delicious homemade chocolate banana bread Kristen made brought the cool clear morning into focus, and I began to move about freely. Bob and I discussed next steps and a plan for the elevated kitchen water tank and off he went. While we were clinging to the backside of the deck behind the Juniper, Bob noticed a Fox under my truck. He clearly had no idea we were there and took his time sniffing about and investigating. We got to watch him for quite a while and I do not think he ever detected us having the breeze coming from behind him. It was a very cool sighting, especially to be right in camp.
I told Bob that I wanted him to consider the other cabin his and he said that he had just seen a spot on the Eastern slope that he thought would be a great cabin location. We carried a can of saw dust he brought up from his neighborhood sawmill down to the shitter and then wandered out East from there to the spot he liked. Adjusting slightly to reduce the visibility of a cabin from Termo-Grasshopper road, it should be a fine location. I was happy he took a liking to the idea.
It was definitely getting warmer each day, and this one was going to spank, but I had a lot of cleaning up and organizing and loading and tent taking down. It was fairly terrible, but a beverage, and some shade, and a shower made it bearable. I was heading down the road by about 1:30, swapping out the key locks for our new combination locks, and getting into the Chevron station in Susanville on fumes. It being Saturday, none of the road construction sites were limiting traffic so I breezed through. By Chico, it was spanking hot and I was grateful for the AC. Home was a billion degrees, but it was a fantastically productive trip, with no injuries, no stress, and no moleste.
Find this SpotTwo Frogs, One Eagle Photo Gallery
