ArizonaRanch

  Solar Panel Installation by rdpecken on Mar.17, 2013, under Electrical Well, Spring is here, and it’s time to get back to work. For Spring Break this year, we came up to install a solar panel on the roof of the LittleHouse. Panels installed We got a pretty late start, because the Ranch had 6-8″ of snow over the weekend, and we didn’t want to fight the muddy roads coming in. I also had some testing to do at work that really couldn’t wait. So we ended up coming up on Wednesday, instead of the normal Saturday arrival. The good part is that the weather was perfect. Highs in the 70’s, lows in the 40’s. Warm, but cloudy sometimes on Friday and Saturday. On Thursday morning, we started planning the install. The first thing we found was that the supplier had shorted us by 4 clamps. So we had to redesign the clamp pattern to accommodate having a few less. I think we still have enough, but it sure gets frustrating. The next setback was my fault. When I ordered the cla...

  Fresh Water Plumbing for LittleHouse by rdpecken on Mar.18, 2010, under Plumbing Spring is finally here, just barely… We arrived on March 13th just as a cold front was blowing through.  There was still a bit of snow on Black Mountain left over from the last storm a week ago. A little snow on Black Mountain Sarah and her family came up to visit overnight on Sunday.  The night before they arrived, we had a low of 20 degrees F.  Fortunately, the front had passed through by Sunday evening, and the low that night was only 34 degrees.  Much more comfortable for sleeping. We got started on Saturday by climbing up to the inside peak of the roof, and using the vent screening material to force a tight fit between the roofing underlay and the sheathing at the top near the vent.  That seems to have stopped all of the flapping noises we have put up with over the last couple years whenever the wind would blow. Next, we started running the fre...

  Northern Arizona Sights… Flagstaff by admin on Mar.20, 2006, under Area About 70 Miles east of Seligman is Flagstaff. At 7500 feet in elevation, it tends to be a little colder there. These were taken on March 16th, 2006, at the end of a winter storm that had passed through the area. We were waiting for the storm to subside before we went up to the Ranch for Spring Break…Some Spring!   I-17 South of Flagstaff   This was taken on I-17 heading north, just south of Flagstaff. I always like the look of an open meadow.   Flagstaff Meadow   Looking across the interstate to see the snow gathered in the branches of the Ponderosa Pines.   Ponderosa Pines   We figured the roads on the interstate would be a little better plowed than the highway out of Prescott/Chino Valley that we usually take up to the Ranch. They were pretty good on this trip.  Icy Roads   

  More March Snow at the Ranch by admin on Mar.15, 2006, under Seasons Meadow March 13th, 2006. Morning. The cattle have been running through our place. We were surprised to see so many trails with only a couple of days of snow to make them in.   Snowy Meadow in March South Hill March 13th, 2006. Morning. The snow had gathered in the branches of the Junipers. Most of it has melted by now, but there was some left.   Juniper in the snow Black Mountain March 13th, 2006. Morning. The cattle don’t lift their feet much, so they leave little drag marks.   Cattle Trails in the snow Black Mountain March 13th, 2006. Morning. Doesn’t look that Black right now…   Snowy Black Mountain Campsite March 13th, 2006. Morning. A view of our campsite, and the conditions we get to work in this morning!   March Snowy Campsite West to the Flats March 13th, 2006. Morning. Looks like the Flats got their share of snow, too.   Snow on the Flats Wa...

  Yes, Sometimes it snows in March… by admin on Mar.15, 2006, under Seasons Markham Pass March 12th, 2006. Late Afternoon/Early Evening. March is a month of transition. This year, we had a winter storm pass through on March 10th – 12th. The lower elevations, like here, only got a few inches, and most had melted by the evening of the 12th.   Markham Pass Snow West along I-40 March 12th, 2006. Evening. The sky was clearing in the west as we entered the Ranch.   West off Markham Pass Markham Pass March 12th, 2006. Evening. Markham Pass was frozen as we entered, so while it was a little slippery, at least we didn’t sink a foot into the mud   Tracks in the snow on Markham Pass Turning East March 12th, 2006. Evening. As we turn east through the second gate on Markham Pass, we can see that we are the only travelers on this road today. Not even cattle trails yet!   Fresh Snow North Mountain March 13th, 2006. Morning. We had about 8 inche...

  More March Ranch Maddness by admin on Mar.20, 2004, under Seasons Limestone Bluff March 13th, 2004. Afternoon. This limestone bluff is above the wash on the north side of the property. It is a good place to hike and watch for wildlife.   Limestone Bluff Up the North Hill March 14th, 2004. Morning. This is on the hill which is on the north side of the Ranch, across the wash from our little house site. You can see the prickly pear cactus prefer the south-facing slope of this hill.   Little House View North in March Hiking the North Hill March 14th, 2004. Morning. Here, Tara is hiking the north hill, heading west.   Tara Hiking North Hill Markham Gate March 14th, 2004. Afternoon. This is the gate to exit the Ranch and head under the interstate. Someone put a glove on the gate. We thought it looked fitting, so we had to get a picture of it.   Tara at Markham Pass Gate

  More March Ranch Life by admin on Mar.20, 2004, under Seasons “Little House” March 13th, 2004. Late Afternoon/Early Evening. This is the “little_house” site on a cool spring day.   Little House Site in March   Well #5 March 14th, 2004. Morning. Well #5 is on the road (recently named Markham Valley Road) about 1/2 mile from our Ranch, in the basin. You can see that Tara was a little chilly in the morning here.   Tara at Well No. 5 in March North Hill March 13th, 2004. Afternoon. This is on the hill which is on the north side of the Ranch, across the wash from our little house site. You can see the prickly pear cactus prefer the south-facing slope of this hill.   Tara Hiking in March Limestone March 13th, 2004. Afternoon. The Hills on the north and south side of the property consists mostly of limestone. Randy always enjoys a nice, shady spot, and here is one on the north hill.   Randy sitting on Limestone in March North Hil...

  March Ranch Life by admin on Mar.20, 2004, under Seasons March Chilly nights and mild days Yes, the wind blows in March. It’s not too bad though, and is actually very comfortable for working outside during the day. It calms down at night. Daytime temperatures are very pleasant, while nighttime temperatures are a little chilly. Double sleeping bags are appropriate, if you are camping. Western Skies March 13th, 2004. Late Afternoon/Early Evening. The view is from our “big house” site, looking to the west. This site is sheltered on the west, north and east by trees and hills, and is open to the south. This is what the view to the west will be from our front porch.   March Lane Hedgehog Cactus March 13th, 2004. Afternoon. This cactus is pretty common on the south-facing slope of the hills on our property. It’s a little too early for blooms, but it appears to be a variety of the Clarett’s Cup cactus.   Hedgehog Cactus Southeast View March 13th...