...then we walk across the bridge and up the hill to the house. We live in a situation where "God willing, and the creek don't rise" actually applies. 
We knew what we were getting into when we moved to the farm. Well, Farmer John knew what he was getting into. It's taken me a long time to get used to my daily treks to and from the house.The bridge has become become a part of our daily lives. So much so that I think it should have been part of our vows when we got married.
"I, Mollie, take you, Farmer John to be my husband. I promise to haul the groceries up the hill, in all of nature's elements, and not complain about it too much."
"I, Farmer John, take you, Mollie to be my wife. I promise to make many trips up and down the hill to load our car for trips, put sand on the icy bridge, and hold your hand on days when it's very slippery."
When we bought the farm several years ago, we planned on using some of the loan money to build a driving bridge. And it's been a long process and we've learned a lot about building bridges. This spring, Farmer John found a company that uses decomissioned railroad cars to make bridges. So we're going back to our Northland College roots and recycling a railcar. This summer (fingers crossed, knock on wood) we're going to get our driving bridge! 
Perhaps one of the most challenging things about this project is the span of the bridge. Our bridge has to be at least 80 feet. (Oh, how much easier our life would be if it only had to be 60 feet!) The railcar is 90 feet long and wide enough for a vehicle to drive across. 
Step #1 of the process began on Thursday when the abutments arrived. The abutments are just big concrete blocks that the railcar will sit on (and be attached to). 
The blocks have round humps on top and holes on the bottom so that they fit together when stacked. Think of them like concrete Legos. 
Our abutments also have a pretty face on one side that look like they're made of stones. Most of ours will be buried though, so the face doesn't matter so much. 
We watched excitedly as the abutments were unloaded.
And now we have 14 concrete blocks sitting by our mailbox. We're happy to be done with step #1 and will start working on all the other steps soon. 
But, that will have to wait for a little while. Farmer John and I are going on vacation. We'll start more work on the bridge as soon as we get back. If anyone is driving by the farm next week and notices cows or chickens out of their fences will you put them back please? Thanks!
That was because the coop hit this post on the way through the cattle gate. 
Farmer John and Farmhand Dad jacked up the coop and then managed to get it away from the post. Then it could be dragged to it's final spot.
The next step was to set up the fence. We use "
Next, the guys did some work on the coop. 
These are the nesting boxes. Our chickens seem to prefer the milk crates over the white buckets. I think they are just the right size, the buckets are just a little too small. So we got rid of all but one bucket and are going to replace them with more milk crates. 
I put this picture up before, but I love it. And because it's Father's Day, I'm posting it again. Here's my Dad taking down nesting boxes. Thanks Dad for climbing inside the coop, fixing gaps in the chicken wire, putting up the fence, herding chickens and helping with all the other farm projects!
Here's the coop's summer spot. It's not too far from the house so we can check on them easily. It's also close to the cattle water, which makes it easier for us to give them lots of fresh water throughout the summer (rather than haul it from the house). And, it has a nice view of the gardens and a hayfield. 
Here's what the porch looked like after the power washing. 
Oh, I should have mentioned that we cleared everything off the porch first. You know, things like chairs, tables, a glider and the moose antlers. No West Virginia cabin would be complete without it's moose antlers. 
Then all the windows and doors were covered with plastic. That's because we were going to use "Uncle" John's amazing paint sprayer. 
The paint sprayer was awesome. Here's Farmer John staining the floor of the porch - which took him oh, about 5 minutes. It was so much better than brushing or rolling all the stain on. 
The guys kept the sprayer bucket full, moved the hose around and supervised Farmer John whenever he was up on a ladder. This project went so much faster than we anticipated. Now we're thinking about which buildings to paint/stain next. 
Here's one of the walls after one coat of stain. 
Sam helped with rolling the stain on all the railings and then trimming around all the doors and windows. (I bet all you teenagers out there wish you could have such an exciting summer vacation!)
Here's a before and after - I know it's hard to tell, just believe me that it looks better. 
Another after picture - this time with Farmhand Dad. I like the warm Cedar color of the cabin now and that it still shows some of the weathering that's happened over the past 26 years. Our next goal will be to run water the cabin and eventually add a bathroom. Until then, it still has the best porch on the farm. 
Close-up of an eye. It doesn't open much at all. We don't yet know what's wrong with her eyes. 
This was taken shortly after Farmer John left me with a calf in the house! Notice the phone next to her - I was making frantic phone calls. 
After her first bottle she has some energy and got up to explore the house. 
I thought it would be a good idea to corral her in Badger's cage. It wasn't. 
This is where she took a nap. Then I thought I was losing her! But, I got part of a bottle in her, and then she was up again to explore. 
She can't see, so spent some time in corners, until I could get her turned around. 
Back in the kitchen. 
Bottle before we took her to the barn on Saturday night. 
In the barn on Sunday - that's a full bottle that she wouldn't drink. 
Successful feeding on Sunday night! 
