Here's the promised report on the condition of the farm following the ferocious storm. We arrived here at the farm about 10:15. We crept down Plank Pitch and held our breath as we peaked at the house over the hill. Whew! The big old pine trees still stand in the grove. Our biggest concern was for downed trees, and seeing so many pine trees snapped off like twigs along the river did nothing to bolster our confidence. I celebrated with diet Coke in a gold-rimmed holiday goblet.
So, starting from Lewiston, we began to see damage when we entered the forested area below Lenore. But the noticeable damage was to trees -- mostly pine trees -- on both sides of the river. I saw no devastation of buildings. The highway was clear with piles of pine limbs here and there. We passed the work crew below Riverside (Orofino). We could also see snow in the upper country as we traveled.
Along Gilbert Grade we saw a lot of debris, downed trees in the woods, and in several places trees had been pulled to the side of the road. Just below Farrington's, someone had already made firewood of a downed tree and it was neatly stacked and ready to be picked up. Continuing on, just above that spot or about halfway the grade, we entered winter wonderland. That would be about the 2500-foot level. It's not much snow, but it covers the ground. While this morning it looked as if it could snow any time, this afternoon the sun came out, causing moderation.
So, here in our yard we had downed limbs to pick up but nothing sizable. After lunch the two of loaded limbs and twigs and sticks into the 4-wheeler trailer. Mike took four trailer loads to the burn pile. We agreed there was no need to be super meticulous about yard clean-up at this point. There will be more storms this winter.
Otherwise things are fine. I found the lid to the composter about 25 feet from it in tall grass. Our television and computer hook-ups are good. We've re-set all the clocks. The fireplace insert is humming along, and I baked a batch of pre-mixed cookies to heat the kitchen. Feels darned good to be here and we're grateful things are in good shape. We're enjoying some "Ginger Snappish" tea, and then I'm going to the vintage sewing room.Our electronic weather unit isn't working, but Mike thinks it just needs new batteries. We're unprepared to change those this trip. But hey! The old-fashioned thermometer at the back door says it's 36 here.
I put a mouse trap at Nellie's dish when we left on Monday. Sure enough -- got one! That's just evidence that the war is on. You can't be too vigilant in the big rodent war. KW
[The first three pictures were taken this morning before we cleaned the grove, the last two this afternoon.]
Yay!! I've been thinking of you all morning and checking to see how things are. I talked to Mom this morning and it sounds as if our hometown was hit pretty hard. She talked of lost roofs, a house that's uninhabitable for at least a month, blown skylights, etc.
ReplyDeleteHere, too, our stove it lit and it's warm and cozy. I've spent the day in my sewing room finishing up a few things for Ann's shower tonight, and now I'm done. No cookies though. :-)
Glad to hear from you and know all is well.
Good to hear you survived with little damage. Yes, I too, heard of many people with big damage - houses smashed, cars smashed, etc. We just had things blown down the road and had to do some rescuing, but no damage to home and hearth. Hurrah!
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