Curt the Pumpkin has found his Halloween home

October 9, 2021 - Thursday morning

48 degrees/fog/calm winds

Pentoga Road

Isn't it pretty? More about the giant pumpkin in a bit.

My in-laws, Holly and Ross, live on the shores of Crystal Lake in Iron Mountain and are often purvey to the migrating flocks of water fowl. Ross has sent some beautiful pictures over the years. This one is no exception. Thanks Ross!

Tuesday morning's walk was a stroll through a soupy fog.

Thankfully, the sun began burning through fairly early and the rest of the day was bright and warm.

Alaska Curt had previously asked if we'd like a head or two of cabbage purchased from a commercial produce farm. He buys it in bulk to feed his pet does, Bambi, Candy, Anastasia, and Tiffany, and as with all good does, the girls attract large bucks.  

Where was I? Oh yeah, about the cabbage. 

I've never raised nicer or larger heads in my life. We gladly took him up on his offer. 

Sargie and I stopped by Curt's late Wednesday morning and enjoyed a good conversation. It's always fun to chat with our friend and thank God, the boy has a sense of humor. He has to to put up with me.

Our short ride was a good one and we happened across a fairly impressive Halloween display on the outskirts of Iron River. This is just a small part of it.

Back home, I'd originally planned on using what was left of the barn siding to make trim for the interior of the garden house. The better boards had been used as wall covering meaning what was left were the cull pieces. When I tried ripping one, it immediately crumbled and fell apart in my hands. 

I talked with Sargie and we decided to make our own trim from conventional lumber sometime in the future. We both think a contrasting look will emphasize the barn siding even more. 

With no trim to install, at least for the time being,  I decided it was time to move Curt the Pumpkin out to alongside the road. 

WHAT A CHORE.

We initially dragged the board on which it was sitting out from under the electric fence using the four wheeler. That worked well until it fell off.

It took all afternoon, the four wheeler, the tractor, a long pry bar, multiple lengths of climbing rope, and an old piece of rug, to move the five hundred pound beast.

In the end, with the help of a young neighbor who'd stopped by to introduce himself, Curt the Pumpkin was finally set upright and braced so as not to fall over.

After Halloween, the big squash will go to his namesake's where it will be chopped into smaller pieces and used as deer bait. Until then, there'll be vehicles stopping where munchkins, big and small, will pose and smile while having their pictures taken, cementing the belief that the Great Pumpkin definitely exists.

Trail Boss Scotty sent this picture of himself on the TAT, the Trans American Trail, created for on and off road motorcycles. Departing on two wheels a couple of days ago from the Atlanta area, Scott was in Clarendon, Arkansas, last night, winding his way west. 

The boy better stay safe. He's got a big job beginning in February, advising and keeping track of me on the AT from his home.

Okay, it's time to get the day started. Sargie and I will be attending a wedding in the Chicago area this weekend. We need to get the oil changed in the Hyundai today. Otherwise, I want to get all the tools that were used in the garden house put away as well as the trailer and get ready for a weekend of fun in the burbs of the windy city. Anyone vaguely familiar with us knows how we love to dance. 

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...