Shannon Brown

I should add that I'm 29, I love being inspired with someone else- about an idea, a place, an event, a creative plan, etc. I look for the magical and mystical in life, having beauty in my surroundings is a need, and I like to share experiences with someone who is also interested in sharing them. That said, I also value alone time (both mental and physical). I like being in tune with changing seasons, and am on a journey toward a life that is more deeply in line with callings of my soul, so that the outside will increasingly reflect the images that decorate my inner world. I'm drawn toward simplicity, heartiness, story, freedom, connection, enchantment... I could go on but wouldn't know where to stop. Thank you

Hi there,

I'm just wondering if there is anyone who would like to chat and get to know one another. Though I'm not looking to jump into anything serious, I am someone who would like a partner someday- if I were to find the right person with whom that felt natural and joyful. So that said, I am mostly interested in talking with folks who either live in or near Vermont, or could see that as a possibility some day.

I am pretty straight and date men, but love friendship with women, so would be happy to chat as potential friends as well (that goes for all sexes/genders/whatever). I've moved here recently and don't know a ton of folks yet! Looking forward to meeting you,

Shannon

Anne Pratt wrote:Hi Shannon!  Welcome from over in Windsor County!  I live just south of Woodstock, and west of Ascutney.

Have you lived in the north country before?  What kind of vehicle do you drive?

The winter is hell on driveways and cars, but not as bad as mud season.  On gravel roads, it's not uncommon to see ruts in the mud that are over a foot deep.  It's very hard to get through.  (The surface of the road thaws, and spring runoff saturates it.  But below the surface the road is frozen, so the water can't drain.  It's a nightmare.)  In the winter your grass driveway should be frozen, but when it thaws (as it does periodically during the winter) that's bad.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!  I think you should definitely have some gravel dropped in that culvert area, by someone who knows what they are doing.  Ask around; there are guys with dump trucks and gravel, and then there are guys who really know what they are doing.

I drove a Chevy Volt (plug-in hybrid) when I moved to Vermont.  The first winter sent me off to the dealership to buy a 4-wheel drive.  I hate having a vehicle that uses only gas, but I couldn't manage the roads with the Volt, which is extremely low to the ground.  

I think the fire department question is important, but less so in Vermont than in some other places.  Keep in mind as you look at your land that we have had precious little rain this year, so things are much drier now than usual.

And hello!  Welcome!

Hi Ann, thank you for the welcome and for your reply! That sounds tough re: mud season, and definitely good to think about. Since the culvert area is relatively small I'm wondering if it even makes sense to try to lay large, flat stones on top that wouldn't be as easily displaced? Thank goodness I did choose a four-wheel drive with a high clearance! I'll be sure to be extra cautious when things are thawing. I'm quite tempted to design a life that requires as little driving as possible, with all the snow removal and mud issues! This will be my first full winter up North (I was in Boston the last five years, but was spoiled and just hopped on the train to get everywhere). I do prefer walking in January to July, but driving may be another story! Appreciate the advice and the welcome!

thomas rubino wrote:Hi Shannon;
Welcome to Permies!
I know Vermont well. I practically grew up in the Ripton/ Middleberry section of Vermont and then later I spent quite a bit of time in the Putney area.
Very rocky soil , you will be fine for years with light vehicles. Over time it will rut , just collect free gravel from roadsides and creeks and hand pour it in the low spots. Also try to avoid making those ruts by using alternate path while driving to help keep it all flat.  I would not worry to much about planting things, its a driveway. Maybe at the creek area if it looks like it might get worse.
Have you been there thru a winter yet?  Do you have a plan for snow plowing? Have you been there thru a Mud season yet?  
If your answers are "no not yet" ... hang tight and see how things go. I knew quite a few folks who parked their car out at the road and used other transport to get in... ski's, snowmobiles, bikes or just walking . Vermont is a gorgeous state I miss the fall and winters there, but that humidity in all the east  coast  drove me to the mountains of Montana.  Going to be 95 here today with 28% humidity...
Enjoy your new land. Read all you can about Rocket Mass Heaters you'll want one next winter.

Hi Thomas, thank you for the welcome! You're right that it's absolutely beautiful here. I moved up in March, so I think that may count for a mud season h. I did park up by the road for the first few months out of fear of getting stuck (my friend got stuck trying to turn around- as I begged her not to try and turn around- but I think that was because she pretty much backed into the edge of a wetland). Thank you for the well-wishes, and I hope that you are loving it in Montana- sounds beautiful. I am a fan of everything here so far, except the June/July muggy/buggy haha

Artie Scott wrote:I have a long driveway too, Shannon, so I get where you are coming from - who knew rocks could be so expensive?!?!

As John notes, a lot depends on the type of soil and how wet it gets and whether you can stay off it when it is wet and how often you come and go.

Eventually, it will begin to rut and need some attention, but why not see how long you can get away without it?

Thank you Artie, helpful to hear these things to consider

John F Dean wrote:Much depends upon where you live.  In many areas the soil is firm enough to support a vehicle. In other areas the vehicle would sink to its roof in the mud.  When I lived in MN I had a very rocky driveway, but 1/4 mile away a vehicle would sink after a rain.  In my current driveway, I would be ok most of the year ... but not after a heavy rain.

Thank you John! I feel lucky so far in that I have parked there overnight once, and often several hours at a time, and don't seem to have had any issues with sinking. Appreciate your feedback

Eric Hanson wrote:Hi Shannon,

I think John and Artie are pretty much spot on with this.  Does your driveway have any base at all right now?  Sometimes an old gravel driveway can become overgrown and look as if it were never touched by mankind.  If this is the case, then you are in luck as the rocky base will at least hold in place.  If it is on actual soil, then eventually the driveway will rut, especially when wet.  I would imagine that winter could be tricky if you get some wet snow on top of soil.  I would think that combination would be especially prone to getting stuck and rutting.  And yes, plain old crushed rocks are surprisingly expensive.

Congrats on the new property and I wish you the best luck in the future.

Eric

Hi Eric, that's a good question. It does seem that the previous owners did quite a bit of work (cleared the entire row and installed a beautiful culvert) so I suppose I wouldn't be surprised if there was once gravel. Thank you for your feedback. I'm curious about an old gravel road holding things in place- I wonder how long that could be true for?

Hello all,

I hope this question might be somewhere near to the right place.  I am wondering- is gravel (or other material) really necessary on a drive? I have purchased an beautiful parcel with a looooooong drive (ROW). I'm in my late 20's without a great income or savings, and can't imagine investing in the installation and maintenance of a gravel drive.  Right now I drive over grass and weeds, and it is only near the very end of the drive that there is some erosion happening (especially through a stone culvert built over a stream.

I have been unable to find- is there anything severely wrong with just continuing to drive in the grass? I imagine someday filling in the eroded spots and planting willow or some other erosion-preventing plant, and maybe doing my darndest to get wild strawberries over most of the surface area of the drive to prevent tall weeds and trees from taking root there. Any thoughts are appreciated.  I live in Southern Vermont in the Green Mountains.


Thank you!