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Winter seems less threatening, with a bit of preparation. Wood stove is installed. All is good.

Some things here are unique and challenging, including the R.O.U.S.’s that live down here. One neighbor had them chew through his engine compartment in his truck, another lost use of a wood machine for the same.

The peanut butter death buckets (PDBs) are working far too well, now capturing double digits a day, and two ROUS’s that seemingly were airlifted in from the depths of the New York City sewer system. This is not a photographic event. It is mired in darkness, but also survival in my new climate, with both mine and the dog’s food stores to defend.

The Kodiak is officially broken in (148 miles on it), and now it needs a full set of oils changed for normal usage, even though I’ve managed to transport wood around the yard a bit, it’s been babied.

This weekend it’s a trip back to South Fork (the land of singularities) to pick up the side by side. All is ready, the plow is installed, and the track kits are being tensioned this week. It too needs a break in period, so I’ve many more miles to explore the park once it’s on site.

Learning much about solar power; had a consultant here to review the system, tell me what it is, what I have, what to concern myself with, etc. All is good. Got 24.6 kWh in consumable reserves, I’m generating 6.75-8.9 kWh a day but consume about half that, and can run 4000 watts (continuous) without worry. I need to tilt my panels and will work on that soon. Three days with no sun, yesterday partial, and by 11 am I was in Absorb mode, with four plus hours to float. Solar life is good. I need to build a battery box and you might see that soon.

After the consult, and much wood processing, it was time for another ‘break in the Kodiak’ ride, and a chance to discover the park. I followed Schierl Road to its ending cul-de-sac if you will. Four houses past mine, all the way back. Harder to get in and out, but physically closer to the highway below

About 5 miles (via road) from home, this is the view at Schierl’s end.

The weather pattern shifted nicely and the views returned.

Less than an hour later, the skies were fully open, the sun returned, and t shirt weather returned.

The day was spent processing firewood, adding miles to the four wheeler’s break in period (and exploring Rees Drive), and returning to the deck for the evening.

The snow is gone now, but it shall return.

It’s day three from the storm’s start, the clouds are heavy, visibility limited to less than fifty feet so let’s flash back to the good old days of the first two weeks before the onslaught of early winter.

Using the new old Jeep to gather wood. This thing turns on a dime and is great for wood roads. Thanks again to Tom for the trailer and the wood.

The wood processing station, all set up and working well, was only used one night before the storm hit. Tonight I return in the fog to continue; there is much to process.

A late day break/parcel run yielded a few more than expected, but bungee cord is great to leave on the racks.

Looking forward to rediscovering the sun!

So the ground is bare in places, the snow 8 inches deep, a few feet to the left or right.

The winds were predominantly from the east, as seen on this tree.

Here’s the other side of that tree (western facing):

Just a pretty one as the skies began to clear late in the day.