The Big Move & Clearing Land
In May of 2010 we started the big move to Missouri. My wife was about to inherit some acreage in rural area near where she spent some of her childhood years. Our children were getting closer to adolescence and the area we had been living in was become too built up. We wanted them to experience some physical labor skills and a more independent life in the country so we planned to build an offgrid strawbale house from the timber that was on the acreage. I had no idea how much work I was committing too in building a homestead from scratch without much in the way of tools or heavy equipment. I had spent my earlier life as a distance runner and had always valued health but I wanted to use my physical powers for the purpose God gave them.....useful labor...instead of silly games. Six years later I can say we learned a lot. We have a house and property that cost a fraction of what most people would pay for one and we learned how to endure hardship and trial. I also learned about my own character flaws under stress and what it feels like to feel helpless and alone in a project way over one's head. God however always saw us through somehow.
October 2010....The fun of country living in our new location.
Our Home 2013....strawbales in but walls unplastered
May 2010
Our family getting ready for the big move.
Gallery Part 1 Clearing and Road in
So here we were getting ready to move from Cleveland Tennessee to Mansfield Missouri Snodgrass house entry october 2010 IMG_0800 Packed in! Our little friend Jonathan helps us move...well moves stuff back off the wrong direction.. Jonathan Wilson however wants to drive off before we are ready! We were loaded! Where we were going that road bike would be useless.... Off we go after a prayer for the ten hour drive! IMG_0577 IMG_0576 Arrive at Monica's Mother's house about 10 pm Wednesday May 26th 2010 Walking near out property.jpg We explore the land around us This feller was outside our door IMG_0761-1 But here is the Moma Bobcat that lived on our property.jpg I snapped this shot later on DSC_6041 IMG_0799 IMG_0790-1 This cat was just different! Dubby cycling up the hill that runs down to our property A creek (Locally called a branch by old timers) runs beside our property IMG_0652 IMG_0740-1 The original cedar glade ( rather than the later cedar grove) house site..before we changed our mind November 4, 2010 we bought our two donkeys. Enjoying country living. Waiting for our cattle grate bridge to be custom build IMG_4702 IMG_4432-2 IMG_4438 IMG_3776 The old backhoe leaked everything like a sieve. Bit by bit I fixed it so it was usable Lot.jpg.jpglots.jpg.jpg.jpglots of cutting an clearing for months before we get to start the foundation Fixing the flat shovel I saved.jpg.jpg.jpg.jpgwith a branch as a handle One of a few old 1900_s bottle found in an old wall from which the autographed rock was pulled Old rocks had names chiseled into the rock...by a local teenage resident of the property in 1914 The road bridge just below the entrance to our property vlcsnap-00133 I begin building a spring box form.jpg April May 2011 Finally got our cattle grate. I dragged it over a half mile and plopped it in. ......It fit perfectly with little of no prep We tie the grate and chain it .jpg.jpg.jpgjust in case!!!! May 2011 vlcsnap-00011 Here is the second reason why we opted not to use a culvert. In spring the rains flood this ditch from dry creeks IMG_0799 Summer storm clouds Our House site cleared from woods but without upper foundation wall yet Road leading to house site. Finally we decide to build on a lovely cedar grove with some nice cedars to build with The little band sawmill arrives and an set up the tracks for it and cut the first little logs for a rafter for the shed that will cover it s FILE0059 vlcsnap-00115 vlcsnap-00098 vlcsnap-00123 We try to use everything.jpg.jpg.jpgeven the trimmings for the shed roof vlcsnap-00095 This is the lower makeshift barn to house the black walnut logs I saved from the lower property.. IMG_0152 Relatives come to visit the house site. The barrel sits in the middle of where the house will be The entrance to the upper clearing which is for the house The view from our cabin IMG_0832 First footer. I make footer holes in the rubble trench every 12 feet or so with re-bar We dig a 50 x 30ft rectangular ditch for the foundation.jpg It is filled with rocks.jpg.jpg.jpg.jpg.jpgrubble trench style Here you can see the rough clearing boundary.jpg.jpg.jpgit was somewhat leveled by using the dirt from the trench.jpg.jpg.jpg.jpgmost had to go one the low side vlcsnap-00056 Starting to pour the foundation into the rubble trench. This tie form is movable. An Idea I had... The home school work crew.. Oct 2011
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