What a difference a year makes
 

Feburary of last year we bought 5 acres between Houston and San Antonio.
It was loaded with these so we named it Roadrunner farms.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3.../newulm167.jpg
It was very thick with cedar, pine and oak so the clearing began.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...1/100_0397.jpg
This time last year we were in the middle of a bad drought the worst in 50 years.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...100_0420-1.jpg
Once the clearing was done we got the electric in and my son and I started on the slab.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3.../newulm001.jpg
Lots of hot dry days later we finally get the house dried in.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3.../newulm328.jpg
It was 102 degrees when we did the roof. Sure makes a fat old guy rethink building a house. While we were working on the house the guy that cleared the land dug our pond and we were luckey enough to get a drought breaking 15 inches of rain.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...1/100_0484.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3.../newulm214.jpg
It sure seemed to take a long time to get stuff done when just my son and I were working. Finally insulation, electrical, sheetrock (we contracted that out), paint, and fixtures are in.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...dlights041.jpg
Whenever we were waiting on materials or wanted a break we worked on putting in over 4000 feet of fencing.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f373/bob681/017.jpg
This is where I stand today we have just finished staining the floor I am installing cabinets and starting on the trim. We hope to move in the first of May.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3.../newulm441.jpg
My to do list grows everyday even as my bank account shrinks. It has truly been an experience one that I could have never done without my son's help.

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

Congratulations, it looks great! Well done!

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

Don't poop out on it now, start building the very large out building for shop, equipment and toys!
Looks great!

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

Wow, nice place! You've done quite a bit for 1 year. I've been at my place just about 5 years, and I'm still looking down a long list of things yet to do. It's great having your son help you, as when you get older the stamina isn't there like it used to be (at least for me). Good luck on getting er done.

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

Yes I know barn, chicken coop, start garden, pump house all on the list.
I have planted 21 fruit trees 10 grape vines 10 blueberry and 30 blackberry. I really wanted to start the garden this spring but time just won't allow.
Bob

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

Looking good Bob :ok:

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

AWESOME !!! OMG. Thanks for sharing this !!!
How much of the 5 acres did you have cleared ??
How much got cleared in what amount of time ?
Just wondering. I have to get some of my land cleared off,
but not sure what to expect.

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

Great looking place....got one question.......how do you get 4000ft of fencing on 5 acres???....

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

Looking great Bob. Good job to you and your son.

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

The clay liner is about 3 feet around the edges.

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

I cleared 4 acres left the front alone. It took him 11 days and 5 more for the pond.

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

It is odd shaped in front and back almost 900' down the sides I cross fenced it twice (one was around 380' the other was around 260' and put a 6' fence around the orchard to keep the deer out 80 X 165.

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

You beat the whiz out of me for the first year ! We spent the first two years I owned this place just clearing some ground and getting roads/water set-up.

Looks great, know you'll enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

good job man, i am truly jealous! It looks fantastic and hopefully our own little plot wont be but a few more years away.

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

I see a future in homestead consulting for Bob...

Thx for ALL the pix. What part between H & SA? Lots of great places.

We are considering someplace between Waco and College Station, as I've a niece and a nephew that will be going to those two schools and the wife and I want to watch them go through this part of their lives.

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

Okay Thanks ! I didn't know it could be done that fast.
That's exactly the amount of acreage that I need cleared.
I was thinking it would take months to do that much,
11 days is fantastic. My luck, I'll find somebody that would take months. HA !

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

any worries about that tree on the penninsula growing a root through the clay liner and making a hole in the pond?

Not sure how prolific the roots are on the species of tree, but just a thought...

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

Very nice. I always like threads with Pics.

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

We are near Columbus. Close to Catsprings if you know where that is.

Bob

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

That tree is on the high side of the pond so I think if it does water loss would be a minimum.

Bob

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

Because of the drought the pine bettles were real bad here is one of the big pines that I had to cut and burn. To give you idea of size that is me doing the cutting and I am 6'1" 275.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ngTrees001.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ngTrees003.jpg
We were lucky enough to get to put in a conventional septic system save a bunch on that.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3.../septic001.jpg
This is what things started to look like after we got some rain and the bermuda seed took off.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...engrass009.jpg
Here are some of the axis deer that come around all the time. They were brought in to the exotic ranches and I guess storms downed their fences because they are all over. We also have tons of whitetail deer. Between the two I worry about my fruit trees and garden.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...dondeer010.jpg

Re: What a difference a year makes
 

"We also have tons of whitetail deer. Between the two I worry about my fruit trees and garden"

But you'll never worry about your protien requirements!