June 26, 2019 - Wednesday evening

68 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

Since tomorrow morning will be an early one, I thought I'd begin writing tonight and if my eyelids grow too heavy, I'll finish tomorrow.

Wednesday morning began with getting back into my walking routine.

I've hiked the same five miles daily for several years and am still amazed at the beauty that surrounds us. I'm so grateful for my sight that enables me to enjoy and appreciate it all.

The wild flowers are in abundance with yellows mixing in with an abundance of daisies. They seem to be everywhere.

Back home, work resumed on the pond. Just about the time I thought the end was in sight, I ran into an abundance of packed gravel and boulders. 

Unfortunately, the large landscaping bucket wouldn't make a dent in either. I had no choice but to change to a much smaller one with teeth.

As usual, more time was spent hauling dirt away from the hole than actually digging.

With the bottom finished, the lowest terrace is beginning to take shape.

Progress was slow but steady. 

Macrea was working in Iron River today and stopped out for lunch. We had a good time and made plans for a fall hike, a quick, ultra light trip of thirty five miles over two days.

I took a break from digging and mowed the rougher parts of the back trails and meadows, those that Sargie would rather not do.

I was able to get into the back meadow for the first time this summer. As of three weeks ago, it was still under water.

It was back to the pond. A swipe here, a shovelful there. I got off the backhoe and descended into the hole. Two hours later, it was pronounced...

DONE.

 Now the hand work begins, making and shaping the terraces. I'll leave the bucket dangling in the hole so what is dug by hand can be lifted to the surface overhead.

My view from the bottom of the pond.
Ten feet is the deepest, six to eight feet otherwise.
Next comes rebuilding the terraces on the side walls.

Where is the dirt being stored? There's a place on the other side of the yard, into the woods, where it's being stockpiled. 

There are plans for that dirt, but that's a story for another time.

The strawberries are beginning to set on with a few early ones ripening.

It's not overly dry, but we could use a nice all-day rain. Failing that, I set up a sprinkler and gave them a good soaking for an hour.

Sargie opens the Vision Center in the morning. I'll go for my walk then resume work on the pond. It's going to be pick and shovel time, digging, shaping, and sweating. Lots and lots of sweating.

The peonies are beginning to bloom

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road..