evan's ant village log

Day 19

It rained most of the morning and so we didn't get much more done on the fence until the afternoon. Threw some more saplings into the wooden part of the fence, now it just needs a little trimming and tightening up. Also started stretching the chicken wire along the top of the 6 ft field fence.

The gate will take a little more figuring. It's in a tricky spot between the porch and the giant hugel berm. Speaking of the giant hugel berm, it was quite a challenge running the fence up the side and along the top of it, but I think it turned out alright.

Not much left to do on this project, I think we'll really be able to knock it out tomorrow. Meanwhile, check out this ferny-looking plant.

I love this thread. Please keep up I the hard work and keep sending us pictures and info. This is one of the coolest things I have read on the Internet for some time.

Diego

May I ask, why the fence on top of the hugel ? Wouldn't you want to use both sides of it?

Evan,
Perhaps if you posted the top projects you are working on and the top projects you are working on your ant plot that it might help some people decide to come help that are into those projects? (:

Day 20

Still not quite done with the basecamp paddock 1 fence. But it's close. Srsly. The first of two gates is mostly finished, and it should be functional, even if it's not too pretty.

The tightening up part of the project has entailed, among other things, adding lots of rocks along the bottom of the fence where the changes in slopes caused gaps. When I was pulling up rocks for that, I came across a whole army of ants. These fellers were smaller than the other ones I saw earlier, but they seemed just as industrious, and they were more than willing to defend their little hunk of rock.

I'm looking forward to being done with this fencing job. Not only do I have lots of work to do on my ant plot, I'd also like to take a little more time to do some more exploring of the countryside. Check out this gorgeous view from the last time I hiked up to the creek.

I too am really enjoying your posts evan---and hope to visit before or after the summit in june.
ETA---and wondering if I can rent a horse while i'm there to explore...!

Evan, This is awesome.
Can you PM me an address to send a care package of seeds to you?
I have more of the seeds I had a Christmas and a bunch of sunflower and bean seeds I saved form last year I want to send you.

Kate Muller wrote:
Can you PM me an address to send a care package of seeds to you?
I have more of the seeds I had a Christmas and a bunch of sunflower and bean seeds I saved form last year I want to send you.

Any care packages for evan can be sent to:

evan c/o paul wheaton
2120 s reserve #351
missoula mt 59801

I went out and pestered Evan about what might be some tools he could use and I made a list here.

Day 21

The fence around paddock 1 at basecamp is pretty much done. Basically all that's left is a final walkabout and inspection tomorrow. I think it turned out alright for an experimental fence on relatively hilly and rough terrain. One of the things that really made it take longer than expected was having to redo the fence sections on either side of this gate. But once they were fixed, the gate went up pretty fast and now it should be able to swing open wide enough to accommodate a wheelbarrow.

I'm hoping tomorrow will be a more laid back kind of day. Sometimes you gotta slow down and just enjoy watching nature be.