evan's ant village log

That duck shelter looks great!

Days 199-209 (part 1)

My phone's battery stopped working, so I got really far behind on these posts. I have a new battery now, so more timely and regular updates will follow, but the next few posts will be rather disorderly and abbreviated. Here's some highlights anyway:

Volcano Road is done!

Josh and I installed a new drive shaft on the Millennium Falcon, then the batteries needed charging, and then the starter needed to be replaced, but then Rex was finally hauled back up to the lab. Yay!

Days 199-209 (part 2)

Jim had a housewarming party! His house is awesomely complete and even has a little stove! Thanks for the hobbity hospitality, Jim!

Days 199-209 (part 3)

Stacked a bit of firewood under some Douglas Fir trees. Doug Firs are great at shedding water, so hopefully this wood will stay a bit drier than otherwise.

Paul and Jocelyn had us all over for yet another feast down at basecamp! A beautifully braised leg of pork was involved! Thanks for the lovely food and company!

Days 199-209 (part 4)

Travis, a gapper here from Saskatchewan, has been hard at work finishing up Allerton Abbey for the winter. Looking good, Travis!

Kai has been making great progress on his house, too! Check out those beams!

Days 199-209 (part 5)

Jesse got a good start on building his house! Once Rex got back up to the lab his beams were lifted into place. Nice looking house you got there, Jesse!

Kai and I moved the full barrels from the Chateau de Poo over to the Willow Candy Warehouse (formerly the shit skidder,) to be stored. There's gonna be lots of fine willow candy here in a couple years.

Moved some rocks out of the way, and then dug some dirt out of the uphill patio of Siesta with Rex. Rexcavator has a rock bucket, meaning it's super thick steel, and after building a road to the top of the volcano, all his teeth are gone. So basically Rex is extremely inefficient at digging in the hardpacked clay I needed to remove. Oh well, at least my drainage is in fairly decent shape now.

Days 199-209 (part 6)

I saw a bear!

Days 199-209 (part 7)

We visited Ross Creek Cedars, an old growth forest!

Mist, 500 year-old trees towering above our heads, flowing streams, carpets of moss, mycelial networks beneath our feet, life most ancient, a haunting primeval beauty.

Days 199-209 (part 8)

The view from near the cedar grove was pretty spectacular too.

Definitely a place worth visiting again.

Thanks, Evan.. again... and again :) My gratitude may get old, but I think it represents a lot of 'silent' appreciation out here :) It is such a pleasure to accompany you on this adventure!