Culverts and Water line

Next we are trying to get the driveway ready to have gravel put down. Two culverts need to be put in place to allow for proper drainage.

we also started burying the water line. We used PCV pipe. Hopefully the joints hold!

More grading/ grass planting where the wood was burned

After the blower was taken out and the hole was filled back in, Seth began grading and planting the pasture beside the house site.

The Larger Fire

I (Katie) was not present for the largest burning of the second fire or else I would have told Seth he needed to put it out because it was too big.  But he did manage to get nearly all of the logs burned in one day without burning down the forrest!  (he did have the fire marshall, fire chief and fire department called out on the property during the process however)

 we used a blower system the second time with a pit that was dug to put all of the wood into.

lots of diesel fuel was used through the process as the bulldozer and excavator were needed to constantly resupply the fire with more trees/limbs.

The first burning begins

Seth has managed to pile a pretty large pile of wood together from clearing the pasture near the future house site.  Our first attempt at burning was "cute" compared to the second...

And the bulldozer arrives!

Finally, we have been able to arrange for Seth's grandfathers bulldozer to be delivered to the property to make our grading a lot more efficient!  We are very thankful that his grandfather has allowed us to use his equipment! (and Seth's father for the mini-x)

really making some good progress on the driveway to the house site.

We also got to experience our first night in the camper which we have brought to the property with the goal of staying there some during construction (no water, sewer or power yet however haha)

More Grass planting!

It is a work in progress... the goal is to pick one section at a time to grade/smooth/ seed and straw. This week- the left side of the driveway is seeded!

meanwhile... house plans are coming along!!

Grading the Gulley. Pictures of the house site.

Seth has to move dirt from other areas on the property to fill in the gulley to the left of the driveway.  It is amazing how much dirt it really takes to fill in a large hole!
 

The picture on the right above is the gulley we are filling in to the left of the driveway

 

Street view

  

the panaroma is of the actual house site, you can see its distance off the road on the far left.

More Clearing/ Grading

Seth is really making good progress with the driveway! There is also a pretty big pile of brush/trees starting to build up.  We will be burning this in the future.

Planting the first grass

To keep erosion under control, we began to plant some fescue and rye along the bank by the future driveway.  The first beginnings of our lawn!

Grading the Driveway Continues

The grading of the driveway is an ongoing process, but is coming along!

The Clearing and Grading Begins

Using a few pieces of equipment, Seth began the clearing of the house site, front pasture and the driveway to the house. The biggest feat to tackle is the driveway as a gully is perfectly positioned in the front yard.  There was also a lot of Kudzu to fight off!