Weekend of March 26th and 27th
Well, the olive trees are still alive. Naturally they show all the symptoms of shock from being transplanted (wilting, loss of leaves, and so forth) but that is to be expected. I laid out a complete drip feed system to make sure that everything (true olive trees, Russian olive trees, and the surviving poplar hybrids) gets constantly watered. In most environments the plants would simply drown from over-watering, but the desert’s soil is incredibly sandy and correspondingly unable to retain water for long periods of time. The only possible wrinkle would be a blockage in the drip feed lines, but you can’t plan for everything.
Tina hooked up the propane stove then successfully cooked a meal using it. It’s a full range with four burners, an oven, and broiler; basically, all the comforts of home. Unfortunately it’s also leaking a little propane so we had to shut if off after using it. I think the two of us will be able to locate and seal off the leak next trip. Otherwise we’re going to have to call in an expert, which is something I would rather avoid.
I managed to repair most of the freezing damage to the ranch house’s plumbing by yanking out the water heater and repairing or replacing most of the lines that connect it to the house. Ultimately, though, the house’s big plumbing problem remains the same: clogs. I can’t seem to filter Barker Spring’s water without sacrificing 90% of our water pressure, but if I don’t filter it the pipes get filled with dirt. I’m not sure how to combat this problem in the short run but its increasingly obvious that eventually I’m going to have to build a real water tower behind the ranch house.
In closing, the Spring has been particularly beautiful in the Blackrock Desert this year. Rainfall was inordinately heavy during the winter, causing the High Sierras to bloom in a manner that I have never before witnessed in this most lovely corner of the world. The Hualapai Valley looks more like rural Ireland than rural Nevada, its usually barren rolling hills and sprawling pastures covered by a carpet of brightest green grass that has drawn the mustang, pronghorn, and deer down early from their mountain haunts. Now trapped here in my tiny city office, I can only long for its open, windswept spaces, cool mountain breezes, and solitude.
Tina hooked up the propane stove then successfully cooked a meal using it. It’s a full range with four burners, an oven, and broiler; basically, all the comforts of home. Unfortunately it’s also leaking a little propane so we had to shut if off after using it. I think the two of us will be able to locate and seal off the leak next trip. Otherwise we’re going to have to call in an expert, which is something I would rather avoid.
I managed to repair most of the freezing damage to the ranch house’s plumbing by yanking out the water heater and repairing or replacing most of the lines that connect it to the house. Ultimately, though, the house’s big plumbing problem remains the same: clogs. I can’t seem to filter Barker Spring’s water without sacrificing 90% of our water pressure, but if I don’t filter it the pipes get filled with dirt. I’m not sure how to combat this problem in the short run but its increasingly obvious that eventually I’m going to have to build a real water tower behind the ranch house.
In closing, the Spring has been particularly beautiful in the Blackrock Desert this year. Rainfall was inordinately heavy during the winter, causing the High Sierras to bloom in a manner that I have never before witnessed in this most lovely corner of the world. The Hualapai Valley looks more like rural Ireland than rural Nevada, its usually barren rolling hills and sprawling pastures covered by a carpet of brightest green grass that has drawn the mustang, pronghorn, and deer down early from their mountain haunts. Now trapped here in my tiny city office, I can only long for its open, windswept spaces, cool mountain breezes, and solitude.
posted by Jason Walters | 12:33 PM
1 Comments:
I want to be there too.
I wish there was cheaper land,say an acre or two not just 40 at a time
chris
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