There’s always something to discover

This morning we were back on The Mountain, as advertised. Deb and I had hoped to meet a well-drilling contractor there later, which ultimately didn’t happen, but we managed to have a great day just rooting around the property.

We drove the Ranger to the telecom substation halfway down our road, an unremarkable collection of junction boxes installed on poles set back on a gravel pad. Our purpose was simple — using the utility right-of-way as an entrance, we wanted to see if we could find a route to the equestrian trail we’d explored last winter.

It was easier than we thought. What looks like dense growth (pictured) actually will be easy to clear. We’ll have to navigate an outcrop of ledge near the bottom, but that shouldn’t be a big deal. Then it’ll be a matter of opening up the old horse path, currently overgrown with saplings and brush.

We’re thrilled — we found a place for the buggy to exit the road and enter the woods covertly, and the work required to get the Ranger to the property’s southeast corner won’t be as difficult as we thought.

What we did next will benefit from a little up-front explanation. Our 20 acres originally was two parcels, roughly ten acres each. Out of curiosity we wanted to determine the location of the line dividing the two, or at least the end of that line intersecting our road.

Using survey maps provided to us with the title to the land, on my computer I dropped a best-guess waypoint marker on Gaia GPS. Creeping up the road today, I watched on my phone as the Gaia app showed that we were getting close to the waypoint. When we reached it I looked to my left — there, in a small tree, was a tattered strip of purple flagging tape.

We’d found it. Somehow I’d actually marked it correctly.

Deb and I walked into the woods from that spot, marveling at how open it was and the (relatively) gentle grade. It was the first time we’d explored that part of The Mountain’s eastern slope — mostly oaks, very few red cedars, and a mesmerizing view of Hall Mountain’s east summit.

We dropped waypoints at a couple of places that’ll be ideal for getaway spots. It also looks like it’ll be easy to access them with the Ranger, possibly directly from the summit trail.

We finished today’s runabout at the homesite — refining plans for The Amphitheater, deciding on locations for processing and storing firewood and enjoying a picnic lunch.

The well-drilling guy says he’ll definitely be there tomorrow. So will we.

Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.

#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath

#LetsGoBrandon #FJB

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