The Start of our ranch adventure

26586 Views 396 Replies 38 Participants Last post by VintageOkieDriver, 2 d ago

VintageOkieDriver

Discussion Starter · Feb 19, 2022

Some one is going to have to explain to this old man how to post photos so I can show ya'll our new to us 10 acres.
We will most likely have to move out of the house we are in unless timing is perfect.
I need the equity we have here to modify and add to the 1800 sq ft new and never used Morton barn
I am told construction, running gas & water lines etc will take four months.... so the next great adventure begins.

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VintageOkieDriver

Discussion Starter · #81 · Mar 25, 2022

Diane
Thank you for your understanding and graciousness. The problem we face is so far all of this has been done with our own resources so we may have to slow down at some point to allow us/me to earn additional funds through my expert witness practice. Very excited, but nervous at the same time. Big change in our lives especially at our respective ages.

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VintageOkieDriver

Discussion Starter · #82 · Mar 25, 2022

Took another pick up load to the ranch & paid the local rural water district to transfer the account.

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VintageOkieDriver

Discussion Starter · #83 · Mar 26, 2022

Today:
Meet my ADT guy.
Empty enclosed trailer, assemble racks that I bought for the inside of the barndo etc etc.
Get diesel in my new gas buddy if I get that far before I run out of gas so to speak.

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dodgeman

· #84 · Mar 26, 2022

Just curious what line of work you’re in as an expert witness? I’m a land surveyor and have been to court a few times as an expert witness.

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VintageOkieDriver

Discussion Starter · #85 · Mar 27, 2022

I have 50 years of experience running drivers, safety, fleet operations, hazmat, etc. DOT/FMCSA & OSHA expert. In a nutshell all aspects of trucking/transportation.
Fleets started out at 6 units and largest was 5,600 units. This started about three and one half years ago by being recommended to a legal firm. Now 36 cases into it.

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VintageOkieDriver

Discussion Starter · #86 · Mar 27, 2022

Worked at the ranch today. Had my ADT guy there to explain what's needed to get a system installed in the barndominium. The C in C brought the dogs in the afternoon and we let them into the back pasture (which has the pond) for the first time. Of course they smelled all over and marked their territory. The funny part was when our Pyr went into the edge of the pond. Saw her smile big time! A great day just being out there.

Reactions: 3

VintageOkieDriver

Discussion Starter · #87 · Mar 27, 2022

3

Road surface Asphalt Rectangle Grass Mesh

Wood Road surface Flooring Rectangle Line

Road surface Wood Asphalt Door Floor

Looks like it’s ready for the concrete

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VintageOkieDriver

Discussion Starter · #88 · Mar 27, 2022

2

Tire Wheel Sky Vehicle Automotive tire

Sky Motor vehicle Cloud Asphalt Road surface

That’s just one more reason to have the tractor……
Move the boxes to the Barndominium 👍

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Big

· #89 · Mar 27, 2022

Looking good okie. Just keep an eye on em when they are pouring and make sure they are pulling that rebar up off the dirt.

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VintageOkieDriver

Discussion Starter · #90 · Mar 27, 2022

Big said:
Looking good okie. Just keep an eye on em when they are pouring and make sure they are pulling that rebar up off the dirt.

Will do. Thank you

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RonDeere2305NC

· #91 · Mar 27, 2022

Not trying to bring down your enthusiasm but the slab preparation looks lacking in several aspects. Appears the grading is not very well done and compaction doesn't appear to have been done. I thought this is the slab for the barndo? no vapor barrier or insulation? Sorry if I’m confused or mistaken.

Reactions: 1

Treefarmer

· #92 · Mar 28, 2022

VintageOkieDriver said:
Yes three buildings. The two door is the garage someday to possibly become my office. The long building on the right is the hay barn with six rudimentary stalls and a tack room. The big barn was built last year new never used 1800 sq ft. That’s the building that we plan on turning into a barndominium with some expansion before we move in.
Excited you bet! Nervous yup. We are truly blessed!
Only 5.5 miles due south of where we live now in an HOA. I can’t wait to leave and spend what time we have left on “the ranch”.
10 acres - lots of pasture.

Nice. It will be fun to follow your adventure. The barndominium could easily have a lot of space with a partial second floor.

VintageOkieDriver

Discussion Starter · #93 · Mar 28, 2022

Treefarmer said:
Nice. It will be fun to follow your adventure. The barndominium could easily have a lot of space with a partial second floor.

Tree Farmer
You are right however for medical issues we don't go upstairs unless absolutely necessary in this house so although suitably furnished never used except for the spare bedrooms when family shows up which is rare.
So main barndo will be one story especially since the C in C has so decreed. No confrontation meant.
Getting old sucks!

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VintageOkieDriver

Discussion Starter · #94 · Mar 28, 2022

RonDeere2305NC said:
Not trying to bring down your enthusiasm but the slab preparation looks lacking in several aspects. Appears the grading is not very well done and compaction doesn't appear to have been done. I thought this is the slab for the barndo? no vapor barrier or insulation? Sorry if I’m confused or mistaken.

Nope this is the hay barn getting concrete. To be used for storage while we are in transition…then shelter for what ever animal husbandry we decide on. I want mini Herefords and the C in C wants goats and two burros.🙆. So this one doesn’t have to be perfect. The Barndominium slab does. I got this bright idea after I found out the cost of buying used Conex containers.

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Treefarmer

· #95 · Mar 28, 2022

VintageOkieDriver said:
Tree Farmer
You are right however for medical issues we don't go upstairs unless absolutely necessary in this house so although suitably furnished never used except for the spare bedrooms when family shows up which is rare.
So main barndo will be one story especially since the C in C has so decreed. No confrontation meant.
Getting old sucks!

Understandable and I agree on the getting old part. Our washer and dryer are in the basement and my wife complains about it with every load, load even though I take most of it up and down the steps.

I do have friends with those type buildings they use for equipment storage/shop etc. and many of them have done a second story over a small part of the building. The lower level is used for kitchenette, bathroom and/or farm office and the upper for storage for seldom used but necessary items. Of course, most of them use either a fork lift or FEL to put heavy stuff upstairs, lol. The small lower level is easier to heat/cool but is usually only a fraction of the total building.

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VintageOkieDriver

Discussion Starter · #96 · Mar 29, 2022

VintageOkieDriver said:
Will do. Thank you

meeting Antonio at the ranch later pm today to show him where I want the water line to go in
He is going to compact this week, raise rebar, and concrete being poured at 12:30 on Saturday.

Reactions: 2

VintageOkieDriver

Discussion Starter · #97 · Mar 29, 2022

Treefarmer said:
Understandable and I agree on the getting old part. Our washer and dryer are in the basement and my wife complains about it with every load, load even though I take most of it up and down the steps.

I do have friends with those type buildings they use for equipment storage/shop etc. and many of them have done a second story over a small part of the building. The lower level is used for kitchenette, bathroom and/or farm office and the upper for storage for seldom used but necessary items. Of course, most of them use either a fork lift or FEL to put heavy stuff upstairs, lol. The small lower level is easier to heat/cool but is usually only a fraction of the total building.

Also I do want the roof line of the expansion(s) to match the existing structure as much as possible. Understand the purpose and philosophy, but with two itotal knees there be as few stairs as possible (Dr.'s orders).

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VintageOkieDriver

Discussion Starter · #98 · Mar 29, 2022

Also with 6" insulation in the walls of the existing structure - which we will match or exceed in the new construction i expect our utility costs to be low.

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VintageOkieDriver

Discussion Starter · #99 · Mar 29, 2022

Did some mowing with the zero turn when I got it off the trailer last night before dark. Wow!! Never owned one before and this one won't be our last.

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VintageOkieDriver

Discussion Starter · #100 · Mar 29, 2022

Wheel Tire Plant Lawn mower Vehicle

2016 with 320 hrs on it. Has 22 hp Koehler V twin.
Runs well. We’ll see how durable/trouble free it turns out to be. I am hoping it gets us through the next two-three years then upgrade.

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