Dale's series of farm improvement projects. - Tree houses, camping platforms and viewing decks.

There are several view points on the property, that are on steep slopes. A good portion of the place is relatively flat, then the land drops away very steeply. Some big trees reside just below the upper ridge of the valley. There are a few spots where a bridge 20 ft. long could lead to the lower canopy of maples that are rooted on the slope beneath. A level walkway with good railings, is accessable to most people. The valley floor is about 150 ft below. Even on decks that are only 10 ft. off the ground, it seems very high when you look down toward the river.

Using the slope of the land, visitors can have a tree top experience, without ascending a step. One great spot is just off of the road. This would be a good spot for a wheelchair accessable platform.

This maple tree branches out less than three feet off of the ground. It's close to the waterfall. Looking out the "window", it feels like I'm up pretty high. A few branches of the lower trees will help. Photos can be deceiveing. The slope is very steep here. A padded platform will go about one foot above where my feet are shown. It won't even need to be nailed to the tree. A strong roof made with one inch plywood, will protect users from falling branches.

More later. I often lose posts in poor WiFi locations. Photos to follow.

A boardwalk will lead to this little man made bog. It's between two roads. Drainage was blocked and nature took over. I may grow a few things here, but I will leave it pretty much to the snakes and salamanders. Garter snakes patrol my hot, dry areas. I sometimes see them heading to the water. Really dry areas without a water feature are less attractive to these beneficial residents.

It's barely wet enough to be a bog. In dry years, the skunk cabbage dies back. It was drying out a few years back, so I built an earthen dam to help retain more water. I have lots of water, so eventually I'll give it a good late spring soaking and the dam is being fixed. When these things dry out, salmon berries take over and crowd out most other plants.