October 31, 2021

Update Number 4:

The summer humidity faded, along with the heat. As I write this sitting by the wood stove with propane lights burning I think about how the heck did we get through a summer on the east coast without A/C! I was so thankful fo the creek that runs though the property with a hole deep enough to wade in and take a dip in the cold water to cool off!

With a light dusting of snow on the ground we now continue to prepare for winter in our still off grid cabin. We have been waiting on National Grid to hook up the “Cabin” aka taxidermy shop come Fall 2021. As I mentioned during the last update- 450 feet of power line connects us to the road. Now we wait for a pole to be set and wires to be connected. Thanks to Josh’s parents we had help upgrading the cabin/shop by installing three new windows, removing one garage door and relocated the “Sam-Door”.

We cannot wait till our house plans are underway! The increased price of building materials put a hold on our progress, for now. We plan to be breaking ground in the spring.

We made a bit more progress to our Western Town chicken/turkey coop thanks to dad building a cool balcony and roof! I still need to make the signs for the Hotel & Saloon! The birds are all doing great and growing quickly. The roosters have been crowing occasionally, and the tom turkeys gobbling when they get excited. We cannot wait until we get our first eggs!

We pulled up what was left of the garden and canned green beans, tomato sauce, and made ton of jalapeño poppers which we froze and picked on though-out the month.

Benny’s birthday came and went, but not without a mini celebration and a peanut butter cake for the 12 year old! Beretta and Colt are still wondering why they haven’t gotten any cake. We celebrated my dads birthday with a great dinner mom made and an ice cream cake that I decorated.

The biggest news is hunting season is in full swing and trapping has just begun! To us, thats way better than all the cool holidays combined! I have been working almost every day intaking at least one job but often times 3-4 drop offs is common. So far the job count is in the 40’s with over half of them being bear mounts! I am thankful business has taken off on the East Coast. Another cool little Tid-bit; we are sponsoring Froggy 100.3’s “Show Us Your Rack Contest” by donating a $750 gift certificate towards a whitetail shoulder mount. When I am not in the shop I have been on our mountain. We have not gotten any deer yet but it isn’t for lack of effort! Josh has been working 10-12 hour days and putting in as much time as possible trying to pattern the local bucks!

We have much to do before winter sets in but we are getting there and making progress! Until next time…