Making an entrance

The other thing we had to accomplish before the backhoe left for Missouri was installing the posts at the entrance.

Gerald and J.C. set the logs for the sides first. Gerald had bought the logs from the mill in Congress. They had a natural "Y" at the top to hold a crossbeam.






The log for the crossbeam had to be notched before it could be placed. That took a while.












J.C. used the backhoe to set the crossbeam.













But he had to finesse it by hand to work it into place. It was cold, and windy and we were starting to loose the sun by then.











One of the most dramatic moments was watching J.C. unhooked the strap from the backhoe. The propane guys had to wait for J.C. to finish so they could leave, and we all stood around the meadow watching.

He got it done, though, and the propane guys went on their way. Gerald also wanted to use the backhoe to set a heat stove on the porch. By the time they got that done, it was completely dark and 32 degrees. It nearly wore Gerald out, and we still had to stop for dinner and drive home.