Let's visit on the Porch II (Great Falls: stable, complete, pics)

[jasper12]

The smoke is terrible here...where are the fires?

[cumminszhere]

I drove home from the Swan on Saturday and it was smokey all the way past Challis on Hwy 93.
There was a huge fire camp setup on the North Fork of the Salmon river. All of the activity was west of the Highway.

Anybody heard from Griz? That fire is getting real close to Hamilton.

[DontLookPhoto]

The west Garceau fire came down the ridge and threatened our valley but I don't think there is much burning going on anymore. It was started about a month ago by lightning I believe.
Fire is good, it enables renewal of new growth and is part of nature. We just don't want our towns and ranches burned up and my weak lungs can't take too much of this smokey air.

This photo came from the fire monitoring website called Inciweb. You can find most fire info such as status and pictures for the fires in all of the nation on this government website.

[Threerun]

I thought the smoke was finally getting to me this weekend. Spent all night Sunday dry coughing and couldn't sleep (maybe an hour tops). Monday a.m. had to catch a 6:20a.m. flight for Denver for a couple of weeks on business and hacked all the way into Denver. Finally figured out it ain't smoke- more than likely pertussis (whooping cough).

Schools back in session and with all those kiddies coming back into one building they are sure to be passing along lot's of little goodies. Walking bio-hazard factories, they are.. More than likely brought home more than 'homework'..

However, and it is sad to say, the air quality in downtown Denver is cleaner than Helena was.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by DontLookPhoto

The west Garceau fire came down the ridge and threatened our valley but I don't think there is much burning going on anymore. It was started about a month ago by lightning I believe.
Fire is good, it enables renewal of new growth and is part of nature. We just don't want our towns and ranches burned up and my weak lungs can't take too much of this smokey air.

This photo came from the fire monitoring website called Inciweb. You can find most fire info such as status and pictures for the fires in all of the nation on this government website.

That is an amazing website! Every fire is described with narratives and plans for containment. Thanks for sharing that. And fires definitely have their place in the ecology--they just freak me out more than any other natural disaster. Once I smell smoke on the wind I go into "potential evacuation" mode...cool and focused on the outside, screaming on the inside...

[Reziac]

Just to make sure folks have the right link for the fire info, it's the .org

InciWeb the Incident Information System: Current Incidents

The .com goes to a linkfarm and the .gov doesn't exist.

[ElkHunter]

I haven't posted any pictures, yet, but hopefully will tonight.

Over in the shop is a brand new wagon chasis that was purchased from the Amish. The wagon came with 4 hydraulic brakes, but no brake line. We have spent the last 2 weeks working on this wagon. This morning, we mounted the tongue and fitted the hardware to the horses. Depending on the temp, we're going for the virgin trip, this afternoon, or this evening. The temperature is the limiting factor. Not because of the cold evening, but because it's 90 degrees right now. hahaha This trip is going to be the trial run, the acid test. This will be the very first time that this team has pulled and the driver has 4 wheels that brake.

We built a flatbed for now as the wagon is already scheduled for some parades this fall. However, a flatbed isn't real comfortable for just riding around, so the redneck blood kicked into the thinking.

The drivers seat is a plush, soft leather bench seat out of a Chevy Suburban. The driver and passenger have nice drink holders from Wal-Mart. In the back, we mounted a picnic table (hard mounted as it's bolted down) for passengers to sit at and enjoy the trip. 2 coolers have been appropriately mounted for canned refreshments that normally come in a 12 pack, 18 pack, 24 case, or 30 pack. Actually one cooler is for the barley pop, the other cooler has seven-up and a jug of ......... mix.

Wagon not only has 4 hydraulic brakes, but 8 bolster springs. This is the first wagon that has had bolter springs as the older wagons either had single leaf springs mounted across front and back, not mounted like a truck or car. Spoke rims with steel belted radials for handling those high speed corners.

We are really looking forward to this first trip. Lot's of "firsts" to try out. Of course, this will be like sea trials on a ship. You take it out and do, max speed, crash backs, turns and maneuvers to test handling. Seat belts are not required as we may need to bail at any minute.

We are not concerned with LE as our one and only cop only works from 8-4, Monday thru Friday. Matter of fact, she may be riding with us as she only lives 3 houses up the street.

Wish us luck, pictures will be posted ASAWR (as soon as we return).

[Mt-7]

Hi Neighbors!
I have not fallen off the earth, just lots to do with the move, this house has and continues to have a big overgrown yard and when I am not doing that or working I am taking in the scenery around Glacier Park. No smoke up here in Lincoln County but the kid in Missoula says it is miserable there.

[ElkHunter]

Here's some pics. This is the same wagon I posted pics of about 3 weeks ago, only a lot more complete.

Ready to roll out of the shop.




Drivers seat.




Whole wagon.




Cruising down the road.

[Montana Griz]

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

Here's some pics. This is the same wagon I posted pics of about 3 weeks ago, only a lot more complete.

Ready to roll out of the shop.




Drivers seat.




Whole wagon.




Cruising down the road.

..........Is there any reason why you are sitting on the "right side of the "drivers seat"?.....or is it just a matter of choice as to where the driver sits? .......and I assume the "item sticking up in the center", is used for a place to wrap the reins around when you're stopped for a length of time.

Do the horses always get "rigged up" on the "same side" each time, or can they switch sides?

Nice looking set-up ......... Oh, and is that silver colored disc on a 'Rod' (shaft) pointing down (about 1/3rd of the way in from the R/S of the wagon)...........is that the "Brake Peddle"?

Best of luck on the forth-coming trips>