UPS AND DOWNS

The stay at the farm (July 7-15) had its ups and downs -- literally. I took a tumble in the barn last Saturday. Fortunately I wasn’t badly hurt and I’m recovering nicely. I was most upset for the interruption in planned projects. The writing muse became challenged while the sewing muse pressed on.

Next, adding to the tedium, we ran out of high speed internet juice. I’ll spare you the details, but I was probably the culprit, and Mike is sure of it. At any rate, once you use up your allotment of juice, the system reverts to very poor service, not only slow but intermittent. Discussion ensued. Some people would just order more juice, but for us, the decision was a biggy. Eventually we agreed to subscribe for the highest level of service which affords 15 GB of juice per month, adequate for email, orders, look-ups, etc., but stream? -- probably not. In the process, we learned how to log-in and see our juice level. In case you’re wondering, 1 hour of streaming costs 1 GB. Should you want to buy a GB of juice, it’s $9.99. Ah! such is life in the country.

And then we’re awaiting delivery of Mike’s new laptop, which didn't arrive on the appointed date, but that’s another story.

Mike took adventure rides on his new Triumph Tiger XRx on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday he got caught in the rain and came home soaked and chilled. So, we fired up the seldom-used Jacuzzi and warmed him up. Some of the jets didn’t work, but they do now.

Wanting mushrooms for the venison shish kabobs we would have for supper Thursday night, Mike decided to go to Orofino for them – on his bicycle. That meant riding the graveled Gilbert Grade – down and then back up. He left about 8:30 and arrived at the IGA in Orofino in 38 minutes. In returning, he climbed from the bottom of the grade to the top -- 8 miles -- in an hour and two minutes. He was quite proud of this feat, citing his age, even though he was flat on his back in the grass. 

While Mike was gone, Clearwater Power came and filled our propane tank. Now I’m ready for this year's autumn jelly-making and holiday baking and probably next year's as well.

Wednesday, as I re-hung the hummingbird feeder, I looked south from the front porch and saw a black bear in the field near the pond. This is the first time we’ve actually seen a bear here. Mike happened to be on the porch, so he saw the bear, too, but by the time I grabbed the camera, the bear was hastily lumbering away.

And then there are the deer. We used to see doe and fawn at this time of year and not many bucks. This year we notice a lot of young bucks, and this morning one brazenly walked through the yard to nibble in the south field. He may be the 

same one that called the other day. He knew I was there on the porch and was not the least deterred. When he decided it would be okay to nibble in the yard, I firmly invited him to leave. He didn’t want to. And that’s why we have fences. KW

TO SEE WHAT I COULD SEE

Last weekend temperatures sat at nearly 100 degrees, even here at Gilbert. Today I’m wearing a sweatshirt and jeans and brewed myself a cup of cinnamon stick tea. A few days ago sleeping under a sheet seemed barely tolerable. Now we pull up the electric blanket and turned it on. I have traded a nightgown for pajamas. Temp Wednesday afternoon – 74. These cooler temps came with a storm system that moved through Sunday night. It didn’t bring much rain but we had a lightning show and wind.

Now thoughts turn to harvest bounty – apples, pears, elderberries. Here’s a picture of the awesome apple tree. I wonder when I should pick the apples. According to an online comment, it’s when your dog is eating the apples that have fallen. I notice Nellie checking under the trees but I haven’t seen her eating them yet.

Tuesday (Aug. 30), I rode my bike up Plank’s Pitch without getting off to push. I wowed Mike with that astounding information. “Why are you so surprised?” I asked. “Because it’s tough!” he answered. Usually once I do it, I can do it again, but every year I have to work up to it.

Once I was up and out of the bowl, however, my desire to explore got the better of my intent to ride. For years I have wanted to see the other side of the field on the flat, and the best time to explore is right after harvest – before hunting season opens, before it rains, before they plant the field again.  So I parked my bike and Nellie and I walked over to the Clearwater side of the field to see what we could see. 

Naturally it was another beautiful vista that included Dworshak Dam. However, several of the pictures weren’t as good as I expected because the considerable vegetation got in the way. Well, it’s not the dam that’s beautiful. It’s the water and the mountain setting that I find breathtaking.

[I think the text explains the photos fairly well, except for the last one. Below the trees in front of the camera is the main Clearwater River. The bridge crosses the North Fork where it enters the Clearwater. The settlement is Ahsahka, and you can make out the fish hatcheries on the point.] KW

CYCLING THE RIDGE

I had intended to get out on my bike early this morning, but we slept in until 7:00 and that made my start later than I had anticipated. The sun was already hot and getting hotter.

There's a fire someplace -- I don't know where. Maybe someone can tell me. I could smell smoke in the night and the distant mountains are obscured by smoke.

Nellie was up for the run and my riding is stronger every day. I made it halfway up Plank's pitch before getting off to push the rest of the way. It's not my legs that give up but my air capacity. At least, that's what it feels like. But never mind -- once out of the hole the ride/trot went just fine. Nellie knows every old farm pond between here and the end of Miller Road and today she took advantage of them. She keeps up just fine and when I'm slow, she trots past me.

As I approached the end of Miller Road, the "old Shawley place," I saw a rattler in the middle of the road. "She" was as surprised as I and in a flustered manner started to coil but thought better of it and headed into the tall grass. It happened so fast I didn't have time to take a picture, and I wasn't going to chase after her. Nellie was behind me and already anticipating the turn-around, so that's what I did.

The ride back was fairly uneventful. I stopped in several spots to take pictures. The harvest on Miller Road seems to be over. The fields are now stubble and the equipment is gone.

Arriving at Dobson Road, I saw dust and knew that Mike was heading out, carrying his road bike in the pick-up to the spot on Russell Ridge Road where the gravel gives way to pavement. Nellie recognized the pick-up and arched her ears into a question mark. However, she knew to stick with me and we came on home.

Mike called me at noon from Craigmont to say he had finished his snack and was returning. (Maybe we're really going to enter the cell phone age after all.)

It's hot now -- 93 -- and getting hotter. It's 76 in the house. Mike closed all the windows before 10:00 and it's 76 in here -- comfortable enough. The thing is, I have this fallish urge to bake and I just don't dare because the propane stove belches out heat -- wonderful on cool or cold days but not in the summer. Once it gets hot in the house on a hot day, there's no way to get back from it until evening.

[Photo 1 was taken at the end of Miller Road. Little Canyon lies between me and the closer ridge, which is Central Ridge. Behind Central Ridge is Big Canyon and I don't know what we call the land beyond. I'll have to find out. The second picture is just a vista from Miller Road looking out toward the Clearwater River, which I guess would be north-ish. The last picture also looks north from Miller Road over a newly-harvested field. See the smoky haze.] KW

HARVEST ON THE RIDGE – ALREADY SO SOON?

Eerie storm sky at homestead Tuesday evening, 8-10-10

I thought I heard the distant sound of a semi this morning. My sleepy consciousness barely acknowledged it and soon forgot it altogether.

Yesterday's mountain bike ride didn't go well for me. I just didn't feel much like going and my odometer barely registered five miles as I came back into the yard. I resolved to do better today.

With my trusty companion Nellie running alongside, I began my arduous up-and-down trek across Russell Ridge. Heading down Miller Road, I decided to go all the way to the end today – to the old Shawley place. Whizzing along past the Miller's, we scared up a whitetail doe that ran parallel to me. I saw her glance across the road and was wary of her, afraid that she would suddenly decide to cross in front of me. I was relieved when she headed off in the other direction but continued to be mindful of her anyway. Sure enough! As I zoomed down Miller's mountain, pedaling for maximum speed, there was that doe running across in front of me. I was grateful for the mental preparation but I did brake and lose the momentum that would have carried me up the next hill. I made it – I just had to work harder.

I was tired as I continued on – another two miles to the end of the road. It was slow-going. As I approached my destination, I noticed a 4-wheeler parked at the roadside, and a stocky little man stepped onto the road from a field, carrying lots of bright yellow pipe and yellow plastic sheeting. "Oh! I didn't expect to see anyone here!" he commented in surprise. Likewise.

Just up the next hill I arrived at the end of the road. The gate was open and I could see a combine and several trucks. I have a rule for my riding – when harvest starts, I'm careful about where I ride – and I was not pleased to find that I had no option but to share this narrow country road with harvest traffic. After a quick swig of my water, I called Nellie and we headed back the way we came.

Storm sky to south over Little Canyon Tuesday evening

Now – I really wanted to go fast. I hate the feeling that something can come down on me from behind. In fact, I'm a little paranoid about being followed. The noise of my tires and the wind in my ears keeps me from hearing acutely and I can imagine I hear trucks everywhere. But we kept moving – Nellie and I – often slowly as I climbed the hills. And Nellie runs on the opposite side of the road from where I ride, which also makes me nervous now. But being alert counts for something. We met a pick-up, and the driver waved cheerily as he left me in a cloud of dust. On past the Miller's, where this time I had to get off and push my bike.

Something funny happened there, though. A couple of quail were ambling down the road, engrossed in a tete-a-tete. "Watch this," said Nellie. She ran up alongside the quail and they ignored her, continuing their conversation. "What!" exclaimed Nellie, doing a double-take. "You can't ignore me. I am frightening you." Just then the quail did a double-take on Nellie's presence and took wing. She took chase, but it was all harmless pre-season practice for everyone.

Back on my bike and pedaling – oh so excruciatingly slowly – here came a semi heading toward us. At least he slowed down. I got off my bike and called for Nellie, pointing for her to put herself between me and the bank. One thing about Nellie – she doesn't pay much attention to me until she hears that note of panic. Then she quickly does as I tell her. The driver gave me a friendly wave as I turned my back to the dust he left in his wake.

Rustic raised beds

As Miller Road became Curfman Road, I sense a vehicle behind me, but as I expected, it turned to head out to the highway. Nellie and I continued to Dobson Road. Never was I so glad to see it – the home stretch. Nellie's demeanor seemed to say she was relieved, too. Now we knew for sure we would not meet any more vehicles – not today.

Farmer Kyle came in today, bringing us a big old tire to use for a raised bed. He said it will be several weeks before the barley on our place is ready to harvest.