Embedded Files
Fall 2023
Fall Work Parties
Blaed, Christian, Cheryle, and Linda spent an October weekend hoisting metal roof panels over the existing metal above the shop. The goal was to patch up known leaks. So far it's holding, we'll see how it goes through the winter.
The next work party is on December 9 where we'll be continuing hazard tree removal and cleaning up in Grandpa's shop.
Cyber Awareness Training
At the beginning of November, Christian led a workshop on how we can keep ourselves and families safe online. We had about ten people join the call and we learned password best practices, how to identify social engineering scams, and generally reframed our ideas of privacy (or lack of) online. If you missed it, you can get the notes in our new Timbercraft Library!
Thanksgiving Lite
Given that it's an odd year, Thanksgiving will be low attendance this year. Plan for an ►All Play in 2024 as we come back together for our traditional feast.
We've been continuing road maintenance this Fall with extensive weedeating and brush clearing along the driveway to keep ditches and culverts clean and clear.
We built 3 water bars on the Road to Enlightenment (access road to Ridge Road) and on Char Trac. We also started 2 water bars on the Ridge Road between the landing and the Edwards's.
Cheryle and Linda tarped 3 burn piles South of the power lines and Ken cleaned up the area by the gun range landing getting it ready for Grandpa's Memorial Giant Sequoia planting.
Coast to Coast 2023
By Linda Edwards
Grandma and I began our Coast to Coast venture on Tuesday, October 17. Cheryle captured our porter welcoming us on board the Amtrak Empire Builder (just like in the movies) then waved farewell from the Vancouver, WA station. Our porter, Larry, was from Mississippi and his grandfather was a porter too. If you’re unfamiliar with the Pullman Porters, take a look at the history of porters.
Our room included two beds, a chair, sink, toilet/shower combo, a few shelves and closet. The observation car was four cars away and the dining car six cars. This translates to a good core workout with each trip away from our room! We spent most of our time watching “America the Beautiful” roll by. We saw towns such as Minot, ND; Red Wing, MN; Martinsburg, WV, and Harpers Ferry, WV. We followed along great rivers: the Columbia, the Mississippi, and the Potomac. The dining car was a highlight each day. The food was superb and the people were fun and interesting.
Our land adventure started 3 days later when Morgan picked us up at Union Station in Washington DC. Her skills in navigating DC traffic are phenomenal! This was Grandma’s first visit to our nation's capital so we saw all the sights: Lincoln, Korean and Vietnam War Memorials; the Basilica for mass; Arlington National Cemetery; and the Civil War Tomb of Unkown Soldiers. It is there that two of our descendants (Stackhouse brothers, relatives of grandma's grandma) fought and died at the Battle of Bull Run.
River met up with us on Sunday and the next morning we headed South to Florida. The 5-day road trip took us from Washington DC through Fayetteville, NC and Savannah, GA ending in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Along the way we saw many Cathedrals including Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, known as "America's First Parish" established in the late 1500s.
We stayed in New Smyrna Beach, Florida for three nights before flying home out of Orlando. The highlight in Florida was connecting with family from the Elliotts and Wilsons. We arrived at PDX close to midnight on October 30, 13 days after we'd left, where Ken was waiting to take us home.
In and between each line are funny or crazy experiences. It was truly a once in a lifetime trip!
Sparking Safety in the Barn
The electrical has always been a little tricky in the barn. Recently, the lights and power went out in the stalls and high bay. Ken got in there to troubleshoot the problem and traced it back to a tiny stretch of wire between the high bay and the pump room. After cutting into the wall, he found a burnt wire that could have sent the whole thing up in flames. This certainly wasn't the first close call either. Ken repaired the wire and put in a good junction box that will hopefully prevent future flames.
All-Family Meeting
We plan to hold a family meeting Summer 2024 where we'll present on the farm's financial and management status, opportunities and operational challenges, and seek input from the next generation as we look to the future for the tree farm. We would like as many people as possible to attend. Please answer some questions to help us pick a date.
Artist Spotlight
Fireworks by Cooper Edwards
Birthdays
Hailey 10/11
Nick 10/19
Jamie 10/22
Morgan 11/1
Clyde 11/26
Cedar 12/3
Do you have information or ideas for the next newsletter? Send us your thoughts!
Google Sites
Report abuse