Have generator, will travel

This weekend, I finally got around to project that has been on my list for a while.  I moved the giant Kohler propane generator that was originally by the house. It's now over at the shop. We haven't used the Kohler since the early winter after we purchased a much smaller (2000w vs 12000w) Honda inverter generator.  The Honda is perfect for supplementing our solar energy in the off season.  The Kohler was just too big for us to run efficiently.  Even with full charge on the batteries and some house load, we were only using about 15% of the generator's capacity and still burning lots of propane (1-2 gals/hr).  With the Honda, we can set our charger to load the generator at about 75% of it's capacity  (regardless of house loads) and it still sips fuel (~0.25gals/hr).  We run the Honda a little longer, but it's works out well in our favor. As an added bonus, the Honda is a great complement to the Scamp -- it'll even run the AC.

So the Kohler will get re-purposed as a shop generator for running larger 240v power tools like my table saw and other large gems that I might come across on Craig's list.  I've been contemplating going this route for some time, but was reluctant due to the lack of propane over at the shop.  A quick call to our propane company, Montana Propane, cured my reluctance.  They offered to replace our existing 1000-gallon rental tank with two 500-gallon tanks at only the cost of parts for hooking up the second tank.  The even cut us a deal on the rental price for 2 tanks so they come out to the same price as a single larger tank. Cass and I have been thinking the 1000-gallon tank was too large and obnoxious for our needs for a while anyway, so everyone's happy!

Spring Update

Breakin' Wind

We put (nearly) the finishing touches on the windbreak today. The latest additions include a row of Rocky Mountain Juniper (which weren't available last year when we put our order into the seedling nursery), and a handful of replacement Ponderosa Pines and Doug Firs that didn't make it through the winter. For the most part, though, it looks like well over 90% of our shrubs and trees are budding out and looking great! There are a few more unfilled holes waiting for trees, but we got the bulk of the work done and are super happy about it. We now have 400-ish trees/shrubs in the ground. Tonight: Aleve and early to bed.

Rocky Mountain Juniper

Big Blacks

Soon to come to the Blue Cloud farm are two "little" pigs. We're switching over from pink Hampshire hogs to a heritage breed called Large Blacks.  The hogs are appealing as they are meant to graze. Apparently, they are very docile, in part to their large floppy ears that block their vision. We'll train them to a hot wire, so that we can easily rotate their pasture, and see how they do. We will be getting our two black piglets from a breeding farm (Cranky Carl's) up north in Eureka, MT, within the next few weeks. This year is a test run. Hopefully, if it all goes smoothly, and if the bacon is up to par, we'll look into breeders next year.

In with the Black....

...out with the Pink.

Shrimp "Scampi" Anyone?

Well, Cass and I made a bit of an impulse purchase this week.  I have been scouring Craigslist posts for a utility trailer that we can use for hauling around a variety of items such as pigs, firewood, mulch, gravel and soil --  we have too much land and therefore too much stuff which needs to be moved around.  The problem with searching Craigslist is that you are bound to find something you did not even know you were looking for.  Case in point...our new fifth wheel camp trailer!

Scamp is small company in Minnesota that has been making lightweight travel trailers since the early 70's.  The trailers are fiberglass so they last a really long time, are easy to repair, and even easier to tow.  The trailers have a cult following, rarely come up for sale, and hold their value.  People that are looking for a used model generally drive across a state line to get it and pay a premium.  When a listing for a 19' Scamp (the largest version available) came up on Craigslist, I forwarded the post to Cass with a subject along the lines of "Isn't this a perfect little camper?"  Well apparently she agreed, because we ended up buying the trailer a couple of days later.   

The camper we bought, affectionately named Shrimp Scampi by the previous owners (a great name that we will graciously accept) , is a 1989.  We bought it from a young couple that found it Bozeman last year. In the meantime, they had a baby and realized they just weren't going to get to use it as much as they anticipated.  Although the trailer is 25 years old, it appears to be in pretty good shape. It's in need of some updates, but doesn't need anything right away . I am sure there will be a number of other Scamp posts in the future.  I already have an number of upgrades planned for it.  Just what I needed...another project.  Stay tuned!