Exploring the back 40

 It’s been a crazy week!  Chad took the  week off from work so that we could get a lot of moving things done while the weather is still nice. It’s cooler today, but it has been into the 70s the last few. 

Since we are so busy, we are taking one day totally off from working to rest and enjoy our new house. Last weekend, while Chad was napping, I decided to check out our back 40 acres. (He knew where I was going and I had my phone with me) It’s not exactly 40 acres, but we have almost 80 acres total that is split roughly down the middle by the road, so that’s what we’re calling it. It’s the hill behind our house. 

The sellers of the house had the land surveyed, and I was curious to see where the markers are before they blow away or some chipmunk steals them. There are permanent pins at the corners of our property, but the flagging tape is a lot easier to see than a small metal pin. 

It was a little challenging getting across the brook, which was surprising because it’s not very wide. The real problem is that it’s very overgrown with wild roses on both sides, and of course I didn’t have any clippers with me. It was slow going, but once I got across it was a very easy hike. 

It’s clear to me that there used to be a road along the other side of the brook. There is a flat area about 15 feet wide carved out of the hillside. The old road is clear of trees, but full of weeds and roses. On either side of the road are the old apple trees!  

Once I was up into the hill, I walked along the ledge until I found the first flag marking the edge of our property. It seems as if the land is divided down a gully that is large enough to be seen in the shape of the trees when you’re down on the road. The forest is fairly young, with just a few older trees. The sellers agent told us they had logged 15 years ago. But I don’t care, I think it is a beautiful forest. 

There were no paths to follow, except for the occasional deer path, but the forest was fairly clear of underbrush and I could just walk in whichever direction I wanted. I assumed this is thanks to the plentiful deer we have, as they love eating underbrush. 

At the top of the hill, there is an old road. I know that on one side of our property there is an old railroad, but I’m unclear on which side it’s on. So maybe this was the old railroad!  Or maybe it’s a logging trail!  One of our new neighbors told us that lots of folks use that road to drive their ATVs or side by sides up to the restaurant on the next hill over. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

Once I found the other marker at the other end of the property, of course then I had to go back down the hill. Not fun. I’m afraid of heights!  The hill isn’t terribly steep though, and I made it down just fine. 

I hope to have the chance to hike our front 40 this weekend!