This Old House

Our "New" old house with a fresh coat of paint!

We moved to our Colfax property in January 1977. We began looking for Placer County foothill property some months earlier. We wanted a house on a few acres and had looked at a couple of properties with a realtor before making an offer on this one. We had made a previous offer on another property not too far away, but someone had out bid us. That property was referred to as an oak woodland. I remember when our realtor called us about the one we did buy, she referred to it as an "old" farmhouse situated in a pine woodland on 4 acres. The house had just two bedrooms, and we already had three children at the time, but there was plenty of room to add on to the house that was originally built in the 1940s, and had already been added on to to a couple of times. In 1981 we were in the process of adding a large upstairs bedroom when on August 1, a fire originating near the hot water heater quickly burned the "old" house to the ground. Fortunately we had recently increased our insurance coverage to account for the addition and our insurance company, State Farm, treated us very well. We built a new home with four bedrooms to accommodate our growing family. We moved into the new house in February, 1982, four months before our fifth child, Ruth was born. Around 1987 we added a fifth bedroom, and over the years have made various improvements. We've continued to think of it as the "new" house.

We had the house completely repainted when we added the 5th bedroom and about 20 years ago Rob and I painted it again. We've realized for some time that it was overdue for a new paint job and finally this summer we enlisted a contractor for the work. Turned out the "new" house was showing its age, and having deferred the painting too long, it required some repairs. We also were surprised to realize that the "new" house at 41 1/2 years old was older than the "old" farmhouse had been in 1981 when it burned down. Quite a shift in perspective! I have been calling this project on the house the "If you give a mouse a cookie" project. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is a children's book by Laura Numeroff. In the book giving a mouse a cookie leads to the mouse asking for a glass of milk, and so on... When we decided to paint the house it lead to needed repairs, replacing windows, replacing doors, new rain gutters, some new electrical work, fixing a sliding door, and a new deck. Throw in a fire that burned our shed down in July just about the time we started to work with the contractor on the house and we added the work of settling with the insurance company for the shed fire, having the fire debris cleaned up, five trees cut down and hauled away, plans for new shed[s] and creating an inventory of everything that was in the shed. So... we have been busy on our property between our camp host assignments at Lake Tahoe in the summer and in Marin County beginning November 1. It has been important to be on the property to answer questions and monitor work. For instance the day the fire damaged trees were cut down the tree fallers almost started to cut down a tree that we think has a good chance of survival, but Rob noticed it and redirected them. We have kept busy doing other jobs around the property including cutting, splitting and moving firewood and some fence repairs. The "new" old house is looking pretty good with its new coat of paint and other improvements, and we are gradually filling the new sheds.

A before picture of the house taken in 2021 when it was light blue with dark blue trim.

I'm sure I have pictures somewhere of the "old" old house, but they were not easily located.

The failed support beam that caused the front dect to be replaced.

More view of the deck as it was demolished.

Quite the construction yard for a time!

Note the trench through the yard for a new electric line to where we park the RV.

The new deck almost complete - note the new grey and white paint.

Getting ready to paint two of the doors that open on to the front deck.

House now painted with some new windows, doors, rain gutter and deck.

South east corner.

West, back, side of house.

Dumpster arriving for the cleanup of the fire damaged area.

Dumpster being put in place to receive debris.

There were two big dumpsters, one for metal, and one for the rest of the debris.

I was canoeing down the St. Croix River when the cleanup took place.

Putting up the first of two Tuff sheds we bought to replace the shed that burned down.

This one is behind the house, the other will go near where the original shed was.

Progress on putting up the shed.

The Tuff sheds arrive in pieces and a Tuff shed construction crew puts it together.

It reminds me of Ikea furniture, except we didn't have to put it together.

It's location to the north of the house.

One completed, cute, grey barn shed.

Looking toward the now cleared area where the old shed was, and the trees that will be coming down.

Getting ready to cut trees.

Making the first cut.

A tree coming down.

This is the largest tree to come down - almost four feet in diameter at the bottom.

The five trees that had to come down were probably the saddest part of the shed fire.

The tall tree in the middle is about to come down.

This is the last and smallest tree to come down.

The other trees were winched around a big pine tree down the hill, but they tied this one to a Bobcat tractor and pulled it as the tree was ready to fall.

Here comes the tree.

Looking toward the cut down trees.

Rob splitting firewood nearby as the woodcutters prepared to cut.

He of course had to move out of the way when the trees were ready to come down.

This pile of rounds, and other piles like it, were the result of six trees that had to be cut in January due to pine beetles. Because there is way too much of this pine for us to use before it rots we chose to have the burned trees hauled away. Cutting the five trees down provided Rob and me with two days of entertainment, and the hauling away process provided us with another afternoon of entertainment.

Andy operating the "claw" to pick up the 33 foot long logs.

Some of the logs dragged into place ready to load.

Carrying another log to the trailer.

It was interesting to watch this operation.

We appreciated Andy with his expertise with his equipment.

The logs leaving our property.

These tall trees we call "The Three Sisters" were scorched, and we really hope they survive.

The nose of a tree gnome on one of the "Three Sisters."

Other parts of its face were lost in the fire.

Full moon behind the "Three Sisters."

Road base gravel being delivered to level a pad for the second Tuff shed.

Moving the gravel around.

There was enough for the motorhome pad and the shed pad to the right.

Our little red barn arriving in pieces.

Laying it out.

Starting to go up.

Completed.

The shed that burned was just behind this one.

Besides construction projects we enjoyed being on our property for the longest stretch of time since I retired in 2020. I hiked out from the house and on the Weimar Institute trails not far away, and we did get some travels in.

Super Moon, September 29, 2023.

For many days while it was waining it lit up the landscape.

Sunrise, October 9, 2023

The Sutter Buttes as viewed up the hill from our property.

Hillside nearby covered in California Redbud as its leaves turn color.

A closer view of the Redbud.

And still closer.

Bear scat not too far from our property.

We have never seen a bear near our house, but our next door neighbor has seen one on his property, and other neighbors have seen bears. We of course saw plenty at Lake Tahoe!

A pretty Scrub Jay in a dead part of a Redwood tree about a quarter mile from our house.

The day I saw this Scrub Jay I had stopped on my way back from a morning walk to respond to a text. A squirrel running nearby caught my attention, then the Jay. The Scrub Jay flew from this tree to another and a Robin flew out of that one, then I saw a Red Headed Woodpecker land on another nearby tree, and then a Stellar Jay. In the background was a wild Turkey, and then when I started walking again 2 crows flew by and three deer crossed the road in front of me! All that wildlife in less than two minutes of time!

Turkeys on our road.

Curious about us!

These two deer were in a field next to granddaughter Avi's bus stop. They looked at us for awhile and then started walking towards us - it felt pretty special. Eventually they crossed the road and ran off into the woods.

A deer posing for me at the end of our driveway.

While we've been on our property I have walked with Avi to her bus stop, about a half mile from the house, or driven her to school, about 2 1/2 miles away. On the mornings I drive her to school I park near the school and walk into the Weimar Institute grounds where there are several beautiful trails to enjoy. There are 22 named trails varying in length from .1 to 3.0 miles each, and a total of 17 miles of trail. Most mornings I have walked around 5 miles total. I set a goal of trying to cover all the trails before leaving here on November 1, but some are eluding me. Most of the trails are very well maintained, but some are not, so I may not meet my goal, but it has been fun trying.

The trails have been well marked with signs like these, but some, like this post are leaning against a tree.

More trail signs.

One morning I started to the left here on Bobcat Run Trail. At the beginning the trail was well defined, but gradually it faded and I ended up wandering around in the woods for a while before I found another trail. One can't really get "lost" at Weimar Institute, but one can certainly loose a trail and have a hard time finding an easy way back or to another trail. Fortunately my time of bewilderment was short lived.

Mountain Misery Trail - well named for the prolific plant along the path.

Mountain Misery up close.

Also called Bear Clover or Tar Weed.

Beautiful fungi on a Weimar Institute Trail.

A lovely split rock along the way.

Another pretty rock.

There is a huge cluster of oaks on this spur trail that I have wanted to investigate.

No picture can show the grandeur of these trees, but on a recent morning I sensed:

"Calling me inside,

Majestic Oak by the trail,

Magic to be had."

Up close.

Looking up from inside.

Looking at me when I paused for a bit.

One Friday afternoon when Avi had a minimum day at school so was home early she asked if we could do something fun, like go to the mall. I don't consider malls fun destinations, but I did need to buy a new dress for grandson Kyle's wedding coming up in December on the beach in Key West, Florida, so I agreed to a mall outing if she would be my fashion consultant. She took the role seriously and helped me pick out a dress and shoes. Then we went to the "Slime" store where I watched her mix up a concoction of slime and various ingredients. I told her it was the most fun I'd ever had at a mall.

While I tried on shoes, Avi had fun trying on heels.

No, we didn't buy these!

But on another trip we did buy these!

I took Avi shopping to find the perfect shoes for her Vampire Princess Halloween Costume. Avi is VERY particular about her shoes so I was delighted when she was delighted with these!

A stolen picture of the Vampire Princess off to school on Halloween.

Note the height of these heels which Avi walked in like a pro!

Daughter Erin had moved to Big Basin State Part as a State Park Interpreter in March, but we had not visited yet, so on Thursday, October 12, we headed to the Santa Cruz Mountains for an enjoyable visit, tour of an open part of Big Basin, cheering Erin and her softball team to victory in a game, and a visit to the returning Monarch Butterflies at Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz

The historic (and haunted?) Brookdale Lodge near Boulder Creek.

The remodeled room we stayed in was quite comfortable and modern,

The Brook nearby.

I'd asked if there was any place to walk nearby the lodge and the receptionist said, "No, not here," but I managed to find plenty to explore on the the surrounding streets and roads. There was one street leading up along the creek behind the lodge. I soon encountered a "No Trespassing" sign, but I figured as long as I stayed on the road and kept passing cabins and houses I wasn't causing any problems. The number and variety of signs was rather amusing, so I documented them.

First sign.

Next one.

This was a bit more intimidating, but I kept going.

I never saw or heard the dog.

I didn't go up this driveway.

But the main road kept going to the left.

My end point.

I wasn't going around a closed gate.

Before meeting Erin at Big Basin we went into Boulder Creek for breakfast.

Tree Cafe.

Yes, those are live Redwood trees growing up through the roof.

But the green shoots at the bottom are fake.

The floor was quite uneven because of the tree roots.

A hummingbird in the garden at the Boulder Creek United Methodist Church.

Arrived at Erin's park.

97% of Big Basin's 18,000 acres burned in the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in 2020. It appears that most of the old growth and other Redwood Trees may survive. Redwood trees are truly amazing!

"Bottle Brush" or "Dr. Seuss Trees."

These recovering Redwoods are near Erin's residence.

Recovering forest at Big Basin State Park.

Looking into the regrowing forest at Big Basin.

Lots of sprouts coming up from the bases of the trees, and other shrubbery on the ground.

Walking through the Old Growth is very different post fire - lots of vegetation on the ground, lots of sunlight coming through the trees.

The base of the "Animal Tree,"

Curly Redwood.

This unique trait will be passed on to all of this trees "clones."

What my phone camera recorded of the partial solar eclipse on Saturday, October 14.

In front of an Old Growth Redwood at Henry Cowell State Park.

Amongst the big trees at Henry Cowell.

The Monarchs returning to Natural Bridges State Park.

Monarch "drapery."

On Tuesday afternoon, October 17, Rob and I headed north west with out first stop being in Potter Valley where my sister Elizabeth and her husband Bill live. Then on Wednesday we headed to Eureka to spend a few days with Rob's sister Dolores and her husband Jerome, and to visit friends from our Eureka days.

Elk in the field across the road from my sister's house in Potter Valley.

On the way north on Hwy 101 we always stop at Founders Grove to walk the nature trail there.

This is my favorite downed tree - looks like giant pick-up-sticks!

Some interesting fungi at Founders Grove.

Sequoia Park is a short distance from Dolores and Jerome's home.

Forest on the left, lawn and street to the right.

Looking to the right.

Looking to the left.

Leaves turning in the park.

Big Leaf Maples across the trail about to loose their leaves.

Rob and I finally got to walk the Skywalk at the Sequoia Park Zoo.

Construction began on this before I retired in 2020.

A pretty mosaic greeted us as we entered the Zoo grounds.

Looking at the Sky Walk in the trees.

Now walking on it.

Looking down from the Sky Walk.

It was really neat to see the park from this perspective.

Another view looking down.

One of the two Black Bears in the zoo.

The Black Bear exhibit is new, and the two bears that are there are ones captured at Lake Tahoe that couldn't be released back into the wild. One due to a medical condition, and the other because, as a zoo employee told us, "It was too used to humans." In other words it was a problem bear in the urban environment of South Lake Tahoe. Seeing these bears here reminds me of the over population of bears in the Lake Tahoe Basin and the need for improved management practices regarding them.