Ahhhtum

Well, it has been quite awhile since our last update -- Memorial Day weekend to be exact. Since the Texas floods of Spring 2015, everything dried out and the summer turned hot and dry. Our continuing goal has been to complete the bathroom and have the toilet, sink, and shower all operational and ready for the fall hunting season. And during out last trip on Labor Day weekend, we (pretty much) reached our goal.

As you can see, things are still a little rough around the edges, but everything is functional.

So we are ready to hunt! With the summer heat starting to break as we head into Autumn, it is becoming much more pleasant to spend time outside working and hunting. And we did a little dove hunting, bagging a few birds for some jalapeno-bacon dove poppers.

Bon appetit!

Texas Flood

Well, its been awhile since our last post, mainly because it has been since April that we've had a chance to get out to the ranch. This weekend was going to be focused on making more progress on the bathroom, including getting the electrical hooked up and the shower tiled. So we loaded up the truck with tools and materials and headed out Friday night.

Unfortunately, we were met with this:

The flood waters from the last two weeks of heavy rains across Central Texas washed out a couple of sections of the road leading out to our property. The first section we were able to crawl the truck across.

The second one not so much.

Of course it was about 10 pm when we got out there, and in the dark we couldn't really tell how deep the water was. So we cautiously waded across (the water wasn't moving so there was no danger of getting swept away), and then walked the last 1/4 mile up to the cabin. Everything was OK there, and since it was late, we decided we would just stay the night and check out the rest of the property in the morning. So we went back to the truck and gathered up some basic gear, floated the cooler across, and settled in. We got about four hours of sleep until the next storm came over with heavy thunder and lightening and wind, but not much rain.

In the morning, things were calm and sunny. With all the rain, the open clearing is starting to look like a real pasture.

The deer have found our sunflowers and eaten them down, so they are happy.

We surveyed the ranch for any storm-related damage, particularly in the low areas. Our feeder that sits in a dry wash was OK, it looks like the water came just below the feeder legs.

We weren't so lucky with the trail camera that had been aimed at this feeder. It was a few feet lower in the wash and we finally found it downstream.

Water-logged and probably fried. That was our only real loss though, so not bad. We'll replace it on our next trip, hopefully in a few weeks when the washes dry out and we can get our gear to the cabin to actually get some work done.

We were able to retrieve our other camera, and what we found made the trip worthwhile. Enjoy.

A Rockin' P Easter

A rainy Easter weekend finally dried out enough for an inaugural family gathering at the Rockin' P Ranch for an afternoon of loud fun.

Before our Easter brunch, brother Scott led us on a short hike to a collection of yucca plants in bloom that he found while turkey hunting the day before.

On the way back to the cabin we found a patch of bluebonnets, perfect for a true Texan wildflower photo.

Then our cozy table was set for a Honeybaked ham, cheesy grits, and cheddar bacon scones.

After lunch it was time to exercise our 2nd amendment rights.

Easter bunny beware...

Hush...Its the Sound of a Flush

Last weekend was our first trip to the ranch in a month, and we got our first look at the latest project: clearing out a few acres in front of the cabin to open up the view and create some open space.

Clu Phillips of Phillips Industries out of Junction did the clearing and burned the slash pile over a few rainy days in mid-March.

It really opens up the landscape and the view.

Then we got to work on the bathroom addition. The big project this time was getting the toilet and hot water heater set up. Here is a view of the most important seat in the house:

The sink is now fully functional as well:

The hot water heater to adds a touch of luxury:

Finally, the installation of the waste removal system:

Hot water and a flush toilet -- Motel 6 has got nothing on us.

Updates Coming Soon & A New Site

Hi all,

Its been awhile since our last update, but some big things have been happening at the Rockin' P and there will be an update soon.

In the meantime, check out a new website, Rack & Range (http://www.rackandrange.com), a site devoted to Texas hunting and outdoor information. Enjoy!

February Thaw

Our sun showers have been a thing of the past since October, so getting dirty means staying dirty at the RPR. This weekend saw temperatures in the 60s under sunny skies -- perfect chance to push forward on the bathroom work.

We started by putting on the soffit around the roofline to finish the outside skin. Still need to caulk and add trim, but this pretty much completes the exterior.

Then it was on to the interior, and running the plumbing and electrical lines through the studs. We also put the shower pan in place and made some plumbing "adjustments" underneath the floor.

Next, we built the ribs of a wall that will separate the shower from the sink vanity, and began putting the sink together out of various materials we've been saving -- the sink from my own bathroom remodel at home, an unused top from an Ikea desk set, and a piece of countertop leftover from the kitchen.

So that part of the bathroom is starting to come together.

We also spent some time surveying the far corner of the ranch to mark some property line stakes, and found a few interesting things, like this 6-foot tall solitary yucca plant...

...and this old barbed-wire enclosure, probably for a feeder, now only keeping out the tumble weeds.

Texas blue skies, far and wide.

Back on the Ladder Again

This past weekend was the first anniversary of the Rockin' P Ranch, and we celebrated by...working on the bathroom addition. This was the first real work weekend since early November, so we wanted to make some real progress to start the new year. Recent cold, middle-of-the-night forays into the woods to take care of business also reignited our drive to make our throne room functional.

We'd had the framing for the addition up for a couple of months, and focused on finishing roof and walls. First up was completing the roof structure.

We followed it up with the roof decking, and then the white shingles to better reflect the sun .

That took us most of the day, and after a hike around the property to check the feeders and cameras, we fired up the grill for some jalapeno and cheese Axis deer sausage that Brother Scott had made from the deer he got here in the fall.

That was some fine eatin'.

Sunday was spent adding the final panels of exterior siding, and installing the door and window.

It is not quite weather-tight just yet, but now allows us to start focusing on the inside electrical and plumbing work.

Until then, we'll keep our TP stick handy...

Happy New Year from the Rockin' P

Happy 2015 y'all. Just noticed it has been awhile since our last update, and really not much has happened since mid-November. The holidays and end of the year activities took over, but we did make it up the day after Christmas for a short outing.

It was a nice day out, so we took the opportunity to unleash a little lead and relieve some holiday stress...

...and followed up by a little happy hour relaxation.

We hope to be doing a lot more of this in 2015!