- Published on
Peter W. and Peter C. returned to the ranch to meet with the insurance adjustor to assess the damage done by the fire.
- Published on
Dan and Cole drove up for a day-trip to survey the damage from the LNU Lightning Complex fire.
- Published on
After another raging fire-storm ravaged Lake County, the LNU Lightning Complex Fires, we are all so grateful that Shangri-La has survived. Allan stayed behind for as long as possible to protect both his home and Shang, to monitor the fire, and to tell the fire fighters where to go. After the fire raged through the area and we were all desperate to know what had happened, Allan drove a tractor to survey the damage. While the house appears to be unharmed, we are all anxious to see what needs to be done to repair fire and smoke damage.
Both upper and lower tanks are empty and have been damaged. The waterlines between the spring and both tanks will need to be largely replaced and repaired.
Allan and Peter CB made a plumbing list for spring and tanks, but doubt there will be access. Also, water line to house is compromised and so no household water. Peter CB is now planning repair for that line. Lots of fun ahead.
Allan says there is lots of smoke, so still fire danger.
To Sum Up:
Both upper and lower tanks are empty and have been damaged. The waterlines between the spring and both tanks will need to be largely replaced and repaired.
Allan and Peter CB made a plumbing list for spring and tanks, but doubt there will be access. Also, water line to house is compromised and so no household water. Peter CB is now planning repair for that line. Lots of fun ahead.
Allan says there is lots of smoke, so still fire danger.
To Sum Up:
- No road access for now
- No water
- Pipe and tank damage
- May be more damage, to be determined.
- Published on
July 24 - July 26 (Peter CB, Peter WB and Vince)
Peter
- Completed repair and fill project of front porch beam (at bridge). Turned out to be a pretty complex job but very necessary.
- More work on steel ladder structure at upper tank. 95% complete and perfectly stable for use. Just need to install bolts to one foot.
- Refinished "kerosene" cabinet my dad made. Also installed copper corner pieces to protect the redwood. Emptied cabinet, washed it inside and out. Also washed both sides of marble top.
- Spoke with Allan about next steps for green jeep. New brakes and rebuilt carburetor have been installed. My dad and Allan have a plan to get the new steering box installed by working together (my dad can do some things that Allan cannot due to Al's bad back).
- Spoke with Al about the pump as it is chocking when you start it and the air filter is blocking the throttle. Two separate issues, but he will be looking at this and adjusting, as needed.
- Brought up several boxes of various supplies, including paper products, vacuum bags, new yellow jacket traps. Left three boxes of paper products on wicker bed as I ran out of time.
- On this particular trip, there were no yellow jackets so the last trap may have killed them off. FYI, Allan feels that the yellow jacket population are an essential part of the ecosystem. I agree but if they are out it makes it impossible to eat anything outdoors. Kinda torn on this one.
- Speaking of killing things, my dad caught a rat in the garage with his electric "Rat Zapper".
- Vince and I watered, and watered, and watered. Vince watered every single tree on the hillside. Yup, even the old guys wayyyyyy up near the top. Everything needs to be watered. Looking forward to the new irrigation lines around the house!
- Deer continue to feast on many fruit tree leaves. Fuyu took another hit.
- Racoon poop alllllll over.
- My dad is going to start purchasing material and a few tools for the upper tank painting project.
- Pumped 2.5 hours.
Peter
- Published on
June 29 - July 4 (Peter CB, Peter WB and Vince)
- Trimmed upstairs bathroom door with plainer and adjusted, as needed. Painted repair area with white paint.
- Removed rotted wood from front porch beam (at bridge). Beam had a 2" x 14" dead center. Next trip will include treatment and filling.
- Removed soil and debris from upper tank foundation in preparation for ladder support and paint project.
- Lots of watering all over.
- Reviewed water pump repair work with Allan. Bad started button and service work, plus new battery cables.
- Identified oven pilot light out. [Allan has since fixed with new thermocouple.)
- Pruned/cleaned up Fuyu persimmon. Dug out poison oak under Fuyu. Cultivated, watered. Something attacking leaves. Bear has been after this tree. Some broken limbs.
- Pruned around house and removed dead wood from two orchard trees above Fuyu.
- Deer living and feasting on all tree leaves inside compound.
- Caught 4 mice in various parts of the hours. Mouse droppings all over living room and kitchen when we arrived.
- Mowed all around lakeside area.
- Watered trees at lake.
- Noticed that someone did some pruning on the old willow tree at the lake but piled trimmings at burn pile areas. Just a reminder that we do not burn anything so clippings, etc. can be thrown over the side below the lake (between the old pigeon coop area and the lake) or piled along side road near house for the chipper service. Those are the only two options.
- Pumped 3 hours.
- Published on
Peter CB shared this hilarious video--who would do such a thing in the WC?
"Our rats are getting bigger!" -Peter CB
Happy Fourth of July, everyone!
Happy Fourth of July, everyone!
- Published on
Peter CB shared these pics from his June visit. Apricots are falling on patio and raccoon ate a meal on ramp over night. Also, summer tomatoes.
- Published on
The oven pilot is out and will not light. This button under the grill bypasses the thermo coupler, so I suspect it is the problem. This oven was restored in Sacramento and I will try to get more information on a repair kit. The oven on the left should work in the mean time, after lighting its pilot.
The mice apologize.
-Peter CB
The mice apologize.
-Peter CB
- Published on
With the Board meeting yesterday, we did not have lots of time to get chores done. But here are a few updates.
1. Dan put on disposable gloves and pulled out all the poison oak he found, especially close to the house. He does not seem to get infected from it but used the gloves just to be sure.
2. I deadheaded one of the roses of dead bloom and also trimmed some of the rosemary by the stairs.
3. As we were leaving today, a tree had fallen across the road but not in it. The high winds from last night likely did it in. Dan was able to pull down some of the lowest branches so we could drive under it but he says it is a big job to get it down based on how it fell and likely needs ‘skill’ to do it. It is hung up on a tree across the road. Location just as you are leaving is just after the road to the lake and after the rock wall. You cannot miss it.
4. No obvious mouse problems which is good news.
5. Had a visit from a fox Saturday night and lots of jack rabbits. There was a deer inside the compound this morning, standing in the sunshine. Likely a nest of quail in trees between the road and the wood shed.
6. I am researching Sunbrella fabric for the curtains for the front porch. Finding lots of lovely options so we can have the curtains made.
7. We had not been to Shang in quite some time as we were caring for Kirsten and then having to deal with the ‘details of death’, as I call it. So it was nice to be back again. We needed to get away.
8. Big thumbs up on the lattice over the awning over the round table. It looks really good so kudos for that effort.
1. Dan put on disposable gloves and pulled out all the poison oak he found, especially close to the house. He does not seem to get infected from it but used the gloves just to be sure.
2. I deadheaded one of the roses of dead bloom and also trimmed some of the rosemary by the stairs.
3. As we were leaving today, a tree had fallen across the road but not in it. The high winds from last night likely did it in. Dan was able to pull down some of the lowest branches so we could drive under it but he says it is a big job to get it down based on how it fell and likely needs ‘skill’ to do it. It is hung up on a tree across the road. Location just as you are leaving is just after the road to the lake and after the rock wall. You cannot miss it.
4. No obvious mouse problems which is good news.
5. Had a visit from a fox Saturday night and lots of jack rabbits. There was a deer inside the compound this morning, standing in the sunshine. Likely a nest of quail in trees between the road and the wood shed.
6. I am researching Sunbrella fabric for the curtains for the front porch. Finding lots of lovely options so we can have the curtains made.
7. We had not been to Shang in quite some time as we were caring for Kirsten and then having to deal with the ‘details of death’, as I call it. So it was nice to be back again. We needed to get away.
8. Big thumbs up on the lattice over the awning over the round table. It looks really good so kudos for that effort.
- Published on
Dan, Peter, Katie, and Sophia (on speaker) met for the annual Board of Directors On-Site Board Meeting. They will each give Branch updates. We are all looking forward to spending more time at Shang over the summer months!
