IT WORKS!

When one puts something together from scratch, there's always the lingering question - will it work?  With that question bouncing around in my head for the last few days,  I located the receiver antenna on top of the post next to the solar panel, and wired it to the electronic control arm.  The next wiring job was to connect the solar panel to the control arm, and the final bit of wiring was to connect the battery to the control arm.  When all of that was done, I hit the remote, and nothing happened.  What the?   Then I remembered that there is an on/off switch on the control arm that I hadn't turned on.  Once the switch was turned on, the remote opened and closed the 10' gate just like magic. 

 The solar panel and the wireless receiver antenna.

When I knew that the gate worked, I adjusted the electronic stops for the open & closed positions, and added the closed stop plate pictured above.  About the time I finished fine tuning everything, Marc & Laila came by for a visit.  Marc brought me a battery box that came out of his boat, the final part that I needed.  We spent the afternoon visiting, and playing with his remote control Jeep.  Actually, I think Laila had the most time with the controls, and she's gotten pretty good at maneuvering the 4 wheel drive toy around the property.

After Marc & Laila left, I started to program the two key pads, but ran into a glitch that I'll figure out this morning.  One good thing that I did discover is that the remote activates the gate from inside the house.  I didn't think it would work from that far away, but it does, at least it did yesterday.  


This morning I'm going to carefully dig the two holes for the keypad posts, cement them in the ground, and once they're in place, the gate project will pretty much be done. 

ALMOST THERE

I needed a 12 volt, deep cycle, marine battery for the gate opener, and we needed some groceries, so a trip into town was in order.  A first stop at Costco, then I picked up a battery at Wally World, and we were back at the ranch in the early afternoon.

With the concrete  dry in the middle of the driveway, I lined up the gate lock with the hole, and mounted it on the short side of the gate that will stay closed most of the time. Then, I mounted the solar panel on the gate post.  The last thing I got done was the adjustment, and mounting of the automatic opener.  By the time I finished with those things, it was 5pm, and time to quit for the day.

Today, I hope to get everything wired, and have a functional gate with opener.  The last thing to get done will be to set the two posts in the ground, one on each side of the gate for the wireless keypads.
According to the instructions, the keypads are supposed to be within 50' of the gate, and one of them needs to go right near the water line that I destroyed the other day.  I think I'll be digging a little more carefully when I set that post.

DRIVEWAY GATE - PART II

I finished the second part of the double gate yesterday, and got it hung on the gate post.  This smaller side of the gate (8' wide) is not going to be controlled by an automatic opener, and will be locked in a semi fixed position.  We'll probably open it when driving the motor home in or out, but other than that, a locking pin will keep it in the closed position.

After building the larger 10' gate, putting the second one together went a little quicker, and it wasn't quite as heavy.   Getting the boards cut to exactly the right length was a little worrisome, but when I hung this second gate on the post, it turned out that there was a planned 1/2" clearance between the two ends.....perfect! 

Using redwood is  more expensive, but it's quite a bit lighter than fir, and it'll withstand the elements much better.  I sunk a smaller 4x4 post in the ground as support for the main post, and tied the two together with 3 redwood boards.  Due to the water line mishap, I wasn't able to lay concrete on all 4 sides of the main post, and this smaller post will help keep the primary post from sagging toward the middle.

The last chore for the day was to dig a round hole in the middle of the driveway, and fill it up with concrete.  This took quite a bit longer than I had anticipated due to the quick compaction of the recycled ashpalt.  The purpose of the concrete is to serve as an anchor point for the locking pin at the end of the 8' gate.  Today, I'll install the sliding, locking pin on the end of the gate, and start working on the automatic opener.

BUILDING A DOUBLE GATE

No disasters yesterday, but maybe that's because I didn't even start the tractor.  Like Nancy said in her comments, "it's not if, but when", regarding digging around utility lines with a backhoe.

I started the day with a quick trip to Lowes.  Well, actually, there's no such thing as a quick trip anywhere, as the closest Lowes is about a 45 mile round trip.  The gate project went into full swing, as I built the first gate half, the one that will be controlled by the automatic opener.
 

The time consuming part of putting this 3 rail gate together, is making sure that everything is lined up, and square.  Getting the ball bearing hinges in the right place on the post, also took a little time, as measurements were critical before drilling holes through the 6 inch wood.  After I had the first 10 foot section together, Patty helped me carry it out to the driveway, where I first attached it to the hinges, then bolted everything to the post.

 
Today, I'll have the other half together, then start on installing the opener, and the 2 keypad posts.  I don't count on luck anymore, so let's just say that if everything goes as planned, the gate will be operational in a day or so. 

A DIGGING DISASTER

I started my gate project yesterday, after blue staking the areas where I was going to dig the gate post holes.  The only utility that didn't come out and mark where their underground lines were located, was the Vail Water Company.  On the east side of the driveway, I carefully dug the first hole near where the electric, gas, and cable utilities had marked their locations.  The first 6" x 6" post went into the ground, no problem. 

Then, I started digging on the other side of the driveway for the second gate post, and on about the 4th bucket, I found out exactly where the 1 inch water line was located, as the backhoe quickly destroyed the plastic line.  The hole quickly filed up with water, as I tried to turn off the valve at the meter.  No luck with that, as the ball shutoff valve was rusted stuck in the open position.  Now what?  I called the water company, and they said someone was on the way.

While waiting for the water company to respond, I grabbed a pair of pliers, and was able to muscle the main shutoff valve to the off position.  The first crisis of me irrigating the entire desert was averted.  Shortly after shutting off the water, the water guy showed up.  When asked why they didn't respond to the blue stake request, he said they are not responsible for water lines from the meter, to the house, and they mostly ignore those requests.  I should have known that Murphy's Law was probably going to come into play, and it sure as heck did!

A quick trip to the hardware store, and I had the necessary items for repair.  A little more digging, this time by shovel, and I had the water line reconnected.  A couple of hours after the disaster had occurred, the water situation was back to normal.  I put the second post in the ground near the water line, mixed up 5 more bags of concrete, and the driveway was just about ready for the gate.
 

First, I have to build the gate, which will be the next phase of this project.  I also have a solar powered gate opener, and two key pads with posts to install.  With any luck, all of that will go a little better than my inadvertent attempt yesterday, to irrigate all of the native vegetation in the wash next to the house.

 

This gate project is the last big thing on my list, before we take off for Alaska.  I still have to service the motor home with an oil & filters change before we leave.  Getting the RV ready for the trip will be the next, and last project.
 

PAYING TAXES

I spent most of the day going through the file cabinet, and methodically entering the facts and figures on a computer tax program.  By the late afternoon, our taxes were done, and all of the 2012 files were relegated to a box in the garage.  When we were business owners, the idea of preparing our own tax return was out of the question due to the complexity of the tax code.   This ritual of either doing the annual tax return ourselves, or paying someone to do it for us, plays out for millions of Americans in the early months of each year. 

I doubt if there are very many people who happily write a check in the form of an income tax payment to the federal government.  Even with the realization that a national defense, and other constitutional mandated expenditures require the people to pay some form of tax, making a payment to the federal government probably isn't  a high priority for most folks in today's world. 

Taking this April 15th ritual a step further, my thoughts about monetarily supporting my country have become, for lack of a better word - cynical.  Our federal bureaucracy has gotten so big, and spending is so out of control, I no longer feel like my tax dollars are being spent in a responsible way.  There are too many specifics to list here, but all one has to do is either read the newspaper, or listen to the TV news, and you will find daily examples of wasteful, and ridiculous government spending.  Yet, many of our nation's leaders will not acknowledge that Washington D.C. has a spending problem, and even more amazingly, those same dunderheads think that the answer to the ever growing national debt & deficit, is to actually increase government spending.   

I could go on for pages, about what I think is wrong with our governments financial priorities, but it's truly an exercise in futility.  An individual has virtually no voice in the establishment of government policy.  As a large group however, there is still some meaning to "We the people", and at some point, I have to believe that the folks will wake up, and their collective voice will be heard.  If our tax dollars continue to be spent in so many ridiculous ways, at some point down the road, we'll all be paying the price.

THE RIDE HOME

Leaving Indio at sunrise, I was just a few miles north of the Salton Sea, and headed toward the less traveled Hwy 111 on the east side of this below sea level lake that was mostly created by an engineering disaster in 1905.  The ride down the east shore was one that I've done several times, but it had been a few years.    I was looking forward to following the Union Pacific RR along this less developed side of the lake, where the first 15 miles of shoreline is part of the State Park system.   Back in the 50's & 60's, the Salton Sea was the focus of grand schemes of development, with unlimited water related recreational opportunities.  Folks mostly from the LA area were scooping up land, and everything from marinas to resorts were on the drawing board.  Some of that development actually took place, but then when the salinity of the lake increased enough to start killing the fish, and a few other negative environmental factors took place, development came to a screeching halt.  Today, on the east side of the lake, there are abandoned buildings, and lots of failed residential & commercial developments.  

South of the Salton Sea, the ride through the below sea level Imperial Valley is almost exclusively agricultural, which means lots of bugs.  Thank goodness for a windshield.  Leaving the bugs and lettuce behind, it was a short ride across the desert to Yuma where, I stopped for breakfast.  Rather than take Interstate 8 and 10 all the way home, at Gila Bend, I detoured south on Hwy 85 through the mining town of Ajo.

The huge copper mine hole in the ground is next to the small town of Ajo.  Not sure when the mine closed down, but at one time, the mine was big enough to support the building of an approx. 45 mile long railroad spur, that branched off the main line at Gila Bend.  The tracks follow Hwy 85 for most of the way, and are still in place, but it's been a lot of years since a train traveled on this branch line.
I was back at the ranch by mid afternoon, and had covered over 1,300 miles in 3 days.  Another great ride in the desert, but it was good to be home.
  

A RIDE THROUGH DEATH VALLEY

So you think gas prices are high where you live, try these numbers at Furnace Creek in Death Valley.

I left Boulder City at sunrise, skirted around Las Vegas, and headed over the hump to Pahrump.  After gassing up the Harley, I was in Death Valley National Park in less than an hour, where I made one stop for fuel.  Glad I don't have to pay those prices everyday.

  

For me, there's something magical about riding the bike in this type of environment, and more specifically, Death Valley itself.  It's hard to describe, but I find being alone in such a desolate place, with only the sound of the wind and the V-Twin motor, as both peaceful and meditating.  If there's such a thing as recharging one's batteries, this is the place that re-energizes my spirit.  I've been riding the Harley to Death Valley in the springtime for many years, and hope there's many more to come.

Exiting the valley of death on Hwy 190 to the west, I made a turn south on the Trona road in Panamint Valley.  This is the isolated valley where I've watched, and been startled by Navy FA-18's on training missions out of China Lake Naval Air Station to the south.  No jets yesterday.  I continued south, linking up with Hwy 395, where I stopped at Kramer Junction for fuel, and took the picture below.  From there, east on Hwy 58 to Barstow, south on Hwy 247 to the Lucerne Valley, then east to Yucca Valley.  I ended up in Indio, having ridden 450 miles, and will be back home sometime this afternoon.

TUCSON TO VEGAS

I fired up the Harley, and left the house at 8am, destination Death Valley.  With a stop for breakfast, and a few stops for fuel, I pulled into Boulder City late afternoon, distance covered approx. 400 miles.  This morning, I'll head to the northwest through Pahrump into Death Valley, then when I come out on the west side of the valley, I'll either head over the Sierras on Walker Pass, or head south toward the Salton Sea.  In either case, it's all desert riding, which is where I want to be right now.

A DOGS PRAYER

First, thanks to all who commented and/or called with condolence's, regarding the passing of our dog.  Your thoughts, and words are very much appreciated.  For folks like Patty and I, who are not ashamed to say, that we are animal lovers, the loss of a family pet is gut wrenching.  We raised Sami from a tiny puppy, to an age that was beyond the normal life span of a Beagle.  She had the best of everything, and traveled with us in our motor home all over the country.  How many dogs have the distinction of visiting 49 or our 50 states?  If Sami had the ability to say a prayer, it might go something like this.......................

     Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than mine.

     Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

      I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting by your side.  If you had no home, I would follow you through ice and snow, instead of resting on the softest pillow, in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god, and I your devoted worshiper.

     Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should never reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.  Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play, and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing, and able to protect you with my life, should you be in danger.

     And, beloved master, when I can no longer enjoy good health, do not turn me away from you.  Rather, hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest.  I will leave you knowing with the last breath that I draw, my fate was ever safest in you hands.

I'm spending the next few days on the Harley, a place where I have the ability to escape some of life's realities, and a place where the freedom of the open road will do more to mend a broken heart, than just about anything else. 

SAMI 12/15/97 - 4/3/13

It was a very difficult day, as I finally made the decision that it was time for my beloved Beagle to leave this world.  Her last days were not her best, and the Vet confirmed that our choice to have her put to sleep was entirely appropriate.  She faded away in my arms, and I will miss her tremendously. 
Rest in peace Sami, you were a wonderful dog, and a great friend for over 15 years.

DRIVEWAY'S DONE

Well, almost.  I still have a few things to do, but for the most part, the excavating, and resurfacing is finished.  The job was completed yesterday, and except for writing the final check, I was very pleased with the work, and the end product.  The driveway is now entirely on our property, and the hill near the street is less steep, with a more gradual transition.  Now, the motor home won't have a clearance problem, either coming, or going.

An added bonus was a truck load of fill dirt on the lower loop of the circle drive to the left.

 

 All of the fill material moved the road to the left, and made the grade less steep.

George, the owner of Advanced Excavating was leaving the water truck for a couple of extra days, and said he would be back for another soaking, and re-rolling of the new surface.  When they were finished yesterday, Patty drove the Jeep in from the street, and the new re-cycled asphalt was already so hard, that I couldn't see any tire tracks.  Based on an additional cost of about $5,000 for regular, hard asphalt, I think this surface will do just fine.

 The pile of recycled asphalt is the second truck load.  A total of 5 truck loads (75 tons) was necessary to resurface the 250 feet.

The next project is a solar powered double gate, near where the asphalt ends.  I have most of the materials I need to build the gate, except for the gate posts, and a battery.  Finding railroad ties in good condition, to use for gate posts is a challenge, so my neighbor was contacting a friend who might have a telephone pole that I can cut to the right lengths. 

A NEW DRIVEWAY

The first two photos are the "before" shots, showing the driveway as it existed before yesterday morning.  The main problem with the old entrance to our property, was that half of it was not ours!  The second picture shows the top of the driveway, where the property line is right in the middle.  The first goal was to move the entrance over next to the post, and get the entire access on our side of the line.  The second reason to do the driveway improvements, was to make the transition from the street to the driveway a little less steep.  As it was, the motor home was within about an inch from high centering at the top of the driveway.  When I first drove the RV onto the property, I had Marc watch to make sure I wasn't going to scrap the bottom.
 

The road base dirt started arriving around 9am, and by mid afternoon, 3 trucks had dumped 10 loads (approx. 180 tons).   Watching the Bobcat operator move the dirt was a lesson in efficiency.  This little machine is so much better designed for this type of job, as opposed to my tractor, or the standard backhoe. 

One of the unexpected pluses was that George, the owner of Advanced Excavating, had his employee remove most of the gravel for the first 250 feet of the driveway, and pile it up in the yard.  I ended up with several tons of gravel that I'll be able to re-use around the house.
 

Another added bonus was that when Glen, the Bobcat operator was waiting for another load of dirt, he moved a small excavator over near the house, and dug out an area of dirt that I was going to do with my tractor.  With the bobcat, he moved the dirt over to the lower side of my circle drive, and also smoothed out the last load of dirt that was dumped in the same area.  

By the time the last load of dirt had been delivered, and it had been pushed into place, it was mid afternoon.  One load of screened, recycled asphalt was delivered, with 4 more loads coming today.  

The salvaged gravel pile is shown below.  After the guys left, I moved a few bucket loads over to the concrete pad in front of the garage.

The last picture shows the first load of recycled asphalt being dumped about 250 feet from the driveway entrance.  Four more loads today will add about 4 inches of the material, and once watered and compacted, the surface will be somewhere between hard asphalt and gravel.

HOLIDAYS & FAMILY

We spent the afternoon at Marc, Chandra, & Laila's, after the traditional Easter Egg hunt had already taken place.  32 eggs were hidden by the Easter Bunny, and all 32 eggs were found by Miss Laila.  12 of those eggs were colored by Laila & Grandma before we left the Verde Valley.

We were joined by Marc's Aunt Claudia, and close family friend Sam.  Being around family & friends, particularly on holidays like Easter, is one of life's simple treasures.  Visiting, and just being close to those that you love is very special.  Chandra fixed a wonderful dinner, and by the time we headed back home, we were all stuffed, and it was about 6pm.  With our other two boys, Mike & Dave on opposite sides of the country, getting everyone together probably isn't going to happen anytime soon, but we're working on that, hopefully somewhere in the not too distant future.

Today, it's back to work on the property.  The driveway contractor will be here either today, or tomorrow, with an estimated 200 tons of fill dirt.  If he doesn't show today, I'm heading to the landfill, to empty my trailer of brush and small trees that I removed from the driveway perimeter last week.  Then, I'm headed over to a business that sells RR Ties.  I need several for gate posts, and for a few other projects.  The next few days will be busy.