A week or so ago, I told you about areas of neglect in Mineral King. Our cabin is not one of them, because it is our responsibility, not the Park’s*. It takes continual maintenance to keep a 100+ year old rustic structure together, and although we enjoy plenty of leisure time up the hill, there is persistent work to be done.
Our cabin is not painted, except for the window trim, which could use refreshing. (Next year. I’m busy with other things this year.) Instead of paint, the wood gets oiled every few years. Every ten years? I’m not keeping track; that’s men’s work at our address. I’m just there to stand on the bottom rung of the ladder to keep it from teeter-tottering or sliding away, along with fetching and carrying requested tools.
“We” did prep work, loosening the dirt, blowing it off, and then picking dirt out of the cracks on the decks using a tool that a friend made for us. (Sorry Dr. Baltimore, no photo, but much gratitude).
Then we discovered that some critter was able to access a cupboard in the kitchen that we had previously thought to be critter-proof. I’ll spare you the details, but show you how “we” stuff steel wool in the access points. (Or maybe I’ll just show you a scratched-up water bottle and a DeWalt flashlight.)
My favorite type of work is ongoing, rather than maintenance. I love to swing an axe and am responsible for splitting all the firewood needed for the cook stove. Trail Guy makes it easy for me by cutting it to the right lengths and selecting wood that is fairly knot-free.
Our stack was maxed out, so I took my best axe to a neighbor’s cabin to try my hand (my arms?) at white fir. The pieces were longer than I am used to, there were lots of knots, and the bark needed to be peeled. I worked my way through about 1/2 dozen chunks, and went away satisfied that I can split wood even if Trail Guy hasn’t paved the way for me.
Another neighbor has a brand new door, one that will stay closed without being propped by a rock. I won’t be painting this door but wanted you to admire it with me. I always think it is a shame to cover bare wood with paint, although the results are usually impressive.
We concluded our work day with a brief evening walk in the smoke.
*I recently heard that Sequoia National Park is operating with about 60% of the number of employees needed to keep things running well. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE??
3 Comments
The Silver City store could make a killing from selling steel wool, just saying!
I hope your neighbor will not be painting his door an “in your face, Forest Service!” bright red, as a certain WMK cabin did decades ago.
Kathy’s fam does the wood splitting for us. The kids enjoy playing “Mountain Men” and do that kind of macho stuff.
Understaffed? It seems every company/organization is, because people just don’t want to work. And why bother, when the govmnt will pay you to stay home?
Sharon, Silver City doesn’t seem to sell practical items any more. I’m very glad they sell paintings for me but there isn’t a grocery section or a hardware section.
I love red doors and would laugh if they did that. But they won’t.
Macho!! I am macho??
Many of the potential Sequoia employees choose Yosemite because they pay more.
Remember when that back outside wall was full of practical items for cabin folk and backpackers? Or sold eggs for $1 each? Or (delving into ancient history, now) you could keep a running tab for grocery items and special orders, and settle up at the end of the month? I wonder where one buys toothpaste now. . . .
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