I’m at a Starbucks, trying to write quickly but also pondering the day as I sit before you. So much to decide quickly… I have to get the horses here fast, but I sure don’t want to put up a fence that I’ll regret later. So, I’m really trying to do as little as possible until I get a better feel for the place.
I have posted some pics from my mind crunch today – with my comments below each.
My Co-Pilot was too big for the front seat… so she rode shotgun from behind. I only took small stuff because that was what I had available.
This is a blurry shot of a cop, 3 cars ahead, that was zig zagging across all the lanes of a very busy freeway for about 20 mins. I had never seen that before. Hubby told me that they do that to slow traffic when debris is on the freeway up ahead. It gives the crews time to clear the roads safely.
ARRIVAL. This is the backyard view looking left.The trees belong to the neighbor – Dang! The pasture here is 5 acres and it slopes down from the house. There is absolutely no shade whatsoever. This really bums me out. I’ve always known this, but it still bums me out for the horses. This is the pasture I hope to make into a pasture paradise – I think. Or, it could be a nighttime grazing pasture, not sure.
This is me in the same spot, looking right. The large pasture slopes downhill, away from the house. The shade it in the actual back yard of the house.
This is looking out my office window. There is another pasture down the hill in front of the house. also, a pasture to my left here, butting up against the neighbor. None of the pastures have any shade. This is my biggest issue here. I need to provide shade and entertainment. In Grass Valley, there was always something for the horses to do… and tons of trees. Anyway, I should be able to see one paddock and part of the other when I’m working.
This view is out the living room window. Beautiful vineyards.
This will be my office…
This little room will double as my VO studio as well as a clothes closet. IF any of you need a voice talent, please let me know! I will be happy to give you a great deal in exchange for fencing capital! I need to grow my client base in my new town! I would be happy to voice your phone chain, even. Whatever it is, I’ll be happy to do it!
This is how Hubby set up the bedroom with his blow up bed and desk (and chair). He is thrilled to be in a house after 2 years living in a room with a microwave only.
Here is another photos of the back pasture. It is 5 acres and I couldn’t get it all in one shot… but you can see it goes from the house down to another road below. There is a cross fence. I guess a blank slate is good… but I just wish it had a tree or two. I wonder what wonderful things I can do here…! I really, really want to bring in a very large oak and put it in that large pasture. But, right now, that is totally cost prohibitive. But, it needs that… I did walk along that road at the bottom of the 5 acres. It leads to another dirt road. I’m thinking it might be a nice, short ride… not sure.
This is the front and top/side pasture. Again, no fencing yet. Hubby wants a white fence in front. I like black. But, we have black at Grass Valley so I’ll probably do white – when we can put it in. Anyway, this is two, sloped acres. The top/side pasture next to the neighbor is about 2 acres and connects to the huge back pasture.
NEXT STEPS
For now, I just need to get three large enough pastures created – with shelters. So, I’m going to fence the upper portion of the 5 acre pasture, using existing cross fencing. Then I’ll enclose the top/upper pasture next to the neighbor because it has 3 sides already. As far as the third pasture, I’m not sure. I’m going to ask the fence guy if I should go for a part of the 5 acres or if I should cross fence part of the front pasture. Whichever is economical, just to get everyone in. When I get settled and working, we’ll figure out the rest!
I have no hay storage. But, there is a shed that could be used for feed.
Starting from scratch! Wondering where I will hitch them and bathe them… wondering where I will groom them. All the special places I get to create! But, I did figure out where to park the trailer, so that’s good!
OK, gotta go back to the house! Sleeping there along. Weird with no refrigerator, no TV, no internet and nobody to talk to… (Hubby took Scouty home to Grass Valley.) I guess I’ll catch up on my reading! ;)
Everything looks very dry and brown. I thought California was getting some rain. Has this area been getting any of that wonderful rain?
Hi Dawn! Congratulations on your new home!!!
Only suggestions I have… Take a few screen captures of your “spread” with Google Earth… You’d be surprised what you decide from bird’s-eye view. I saw my “dream spread” several years ago… I will send it later. It gives me great ideas that you probably could implement…
So… trees… I’ve noticed that my horses leave Mulberry trees alone (very little bark missing). They grow very quickly. Just don’t plant them near the house! Pour “manure tea” on them and they SHOOT up. Also, here is another link for you… Also, I hear Box Elders are pretty good.
fast-growing-treesDOTcom…. just clear your growing zone and enter your zip code at the top…
Blessings and I KNOW you’ll be so happy here… Hills are wonderful, the view is… (sigh…). You’ve done well. Cosmetic stuff is last priority, of course. ENJOY!