8/9-13/21 I went up to Camp Serendipity for five days: Monday through Friday.
I loaded the wheelbarrow with chains and went up on the bluff to try my plan. I was happy to discover that it worked pretty well but was quite a bit of work. I probably moved the log 5 feet before it got too hot to work.
Then I built and installed a new flagpole using 1x2s which I installed on top of the stanchion at the head of the concrete stairs. I was happy with the result and took a picture.
I spent the rest of the morning reading and writing. Then I had my lunch and a nap and spent the rest of the afternoon doing more reading and writing.
On Wednesday I decided the chain method was too tedious so I brought a come-along up onto the bluff and used it in addition to the chains to pull the log all the way out to where I could buck it into firewood.
Then I went to work planning a handrail for the steep portion of the trail above the concrete stairs. I found a 4x4 and a length of handrail material and brought them down to see if they would work. The handrail was a little short so I wasn't sure whether I should use it. I left the post and rail lying there and went back in and had my breakfast.
I practiced the piano and then had my lunch. Before I took my nap, I took down the mosquito net tent from over the bed. I think the mosquitoes are gone for the season and it will be nice having that tent out of the way.
After taking a nap, I spent the afternoon writing.
On Thursday I went back out in the cool of the morning and decided that the rail I had was too short. I wanted the post higher up on the hill. I dug a hole where I wanted it and planted the pole. Then I got a three-quarter-inch rope and used it to make a rail that stretched from the new post to the stanchion at the head of the concrete stairs. Then I rebuilt the rock steps to make them safer. I took a picture of the result.
Back in the cabin I did some more writing, had my lunch and a nap, and then went back to my writing.
On Friday I went out and checked all the Sequoia trees. They are all thriving. I brought 5 gallons of water to Andrew.
Next, I took a hammer down to the new flagpole and moved the cleat up a foot or so. With the new handrail tied to the stanchion, the cleat was in an awkward position.
Back in the cabin, I practiced the piano and then had my breakfast. I did some more writing, and then called Earl. We caught each other up on the news. Earl told me about a fire that was burning right across the valley above the Two Rivers quarry. I had noticed the thick smoke but didn't know about the fire. I left for home at 12:30 and was surprised that it was smoky all the way on both sides of the mountains. There must be a lot of fires.
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