I Finally Get A Pond

I Finally Get A Pond

All the while I was growing up there was two things that I really wanted. One was a go-kart and the other was a pond. Dad kept telling me that when he had time he would help me build a go-kart, so I kept saving old lawn mower engines and tires and anything else I thought might work. Dad said we had to have pneumatic tires and a clutch, neither of which I could come up with. By the time I was old enough to earn money to buy such things, I wanted to save for a saddle, and a real car, and stuff like that. Dad never really had the time, and I don't think he really wanted me to be zooming around the streets of New Harmony, so the go-kart never got built.

Other people had ponds where we could swim and some even had fish, but I never could convince Dad that we really needed one. When I moved back to New Harmony and built our home on the farm, a pond was always back there in the recesses of my mind and I guess I was always looking for a place to build one.

This summer things kind of fell into place. (1)We divided the property so I knew exactly what I had to work with; (2) We installed a new pipeline in the meadow ditch that could provide water; (3) We had a humongous forest fire that increased the desire for water storage; (4) My neighbor Garth ave me some surplus felt under-liner and some rubber pond liner; and (5) We dug a pretty big hole where I wanted my pond built.

While putting in the new meadow pipeline a lot of fill was needed to build the dam and head gate at the Redd Creek diversion, so I offered the rock pile north and west of the old barn. We made a pretty good hole there, so when we were finished with the pipeline I took my skid steer loader and finished shaping the hole into a pond. I banked the downhill side using the rocks and dirt that were removed while shaping. It ended up being about 100 feet wide by 125 feet long and about 10' deep.

Once the shaping was complete I raked all the rocks and smoothed everything the best I could. There was an area where it was really muddy. Ross came over and helped me remove the rocks from that area with his big track hoe as it has a much longer reach than any of my equipment.

Once the raking and smoothing was done I built a spooling device to unroll the material and laid the felt under-layment. This material is quite light even though impregnated with tar. It comes in 15 foot wide rolls, about 300 ' long, and to connect it you overlap it a few inches, then heat it with a torch and the tar melts and forms a bond.

I dug a trench around the perimeter of the pond to lay the edges of the material in. Once it is all in place you fill the trench with dirt and that holds the material in place.

A 50' x 100' roll of rubber pond liner weighs around 1500 pounds. I needed a lot of help to spool it off and pull it across the pond. John Spevak, Dorian Page, Ray Taylor, Richard Jensen and Clair Hansen came and helped me. Even with six of us it was a struggle to get it in place. Once it was laid out we seamed it together with a contact cement and 6" wide rolls of mastic.

I put some pipe supports in place to build a catwalk and we sealed round them the best we could. I'm not sure it is 100% leak proof, but we did the best we could. Once the liner was in place and secured with dirt and rocks in the trench I decided to let some water in. I filled it a little too much and had to drain some back out the next day so I could finish the catwalk.

Once the catwalk was done I finished filling the pond. It took about three days, and the 6" fill pipe was running less than half full. the pipe will fill the pond to within about a foot of being full. Brent turned the upper ditch down so I could finish filling, which took another few days.

The next stage was to erect the windmill. I have always liked windmills, and found that you can aerate quite effectively with them. I ordered this one from a place in Ohio, put it together and after pouring concrete footings, stood it upright. It immediately caught some wind and started pumping air. I installed the pipe and diffusers, and when the wind blows we have pond aeration.

I think I am going to spend a lot of time just looking at this pond. I can go to the front window and just watch it from there, or I can go down and walk around it. Tonight at sunset I took the photos below. I think a pond brings a certain kind of serenity, and I know I am going to be a much more contented person now that I have a pond.

As I watched the sun go down tonight there was a beautiful reflection disturbed only occasionally by something breaking the mirror-like surface. If I didn't know better I would think it was a fish.

I now have plans for a grassy picnic area just south of the windmill, on the south west corner of the pond. I hope to have some trees, a picnic table and a fire ring, where all the family and friends will be welcome to come and share in the peace and beauty, perhaps even let the young ones try to catch a fish or play in the water.

Calf Creek Falls

Calf Creek Falls

On Wednesday, November 4th, Ellie and I headed out for Wayne County to go hiking with friends from Kamas. We drove up through Richfield, then down through Loa to Torry. We met Kevin and Cindy and Jeff and Martha at the Best Western and had dinner and a good visit before turning in for the night. We did watch the Yankees win their 27th World Serries victory before turning off the TV.

We met again at 7:00am for breakfast then headed down highway 12 through the Boulder Mountains, through the town of Boulder and on toward Escalante. About Ten miles out of Escalante we pulled off at the trail head of Calf Creek. Though the morning had been quite cool, it was warming up and looked like a perfect day for a hike.

We left the trail head around 9:30 am and followed the trail which lead up the west side of the creek in a canyon of beautiful rock formations in the Navajo Sandstone.

We used the interpretive trail guide to help us locate some ruins left behind around a thousand years ago by the Fremont Indians. The photo above shows a granary high on the canyon wall that was used for storage. Looks like it should be pretty safe from almost anything. Even the one who put it there would have to be pretty hungry to go after it. There are also some pictographs a little further up the canyon, probably from the same period.

Although most of the summer greenery has turned brown, there is still a lot of beauty to be found and we revelled in the sights and sounds of the canyon as we hiked the 2.5 miles to the lower falls.

Calf creek got its name from pioneer farmers who built a rock fence across the canyon where they would coral their calves above it in the box canyon. Today there are no cattle, but plenty of grass and vegetation lining the beautifully clear stream that splits the valley floor .

The stream is so clear that you can easily see an abundance of fish that dart into the shadows as they detect your intrusion on their solitude.

The canyon ends in a rather abrupt sandstone wall broken in half by a beautiful waterfall cascading over 100 feet down the sandstone face.

As you enjoy the beauty the roaring cascade fills your ears and you are enveloped by the light mist from the falls. On a hot day this would be quite refreshing, in fact you might want to consider a dip in the pool, but today, even though warm in the sun, it is quite cool in the shadows and no one wants to get wet.

We take photos, photos and more photos, hating to leave what we hiked so arduously to get to.

The photo below shows the hiking group. We love these guys and always enjoy being with them. they are going to stay and hike in the area for a couple more days. Due to other commitments, and the lack of desire to carry a full pack and camp out, we chose to return home.

One more photo of the falls, using a slow shutter speed to capture the flowing effect of the water.

We made faster time on the return trip, hurrying a little so that Ellie and I could get back home in time for another commitment, but we still found time to snap a few more photos.

We left the trail head around 1:20 pm, stopping in Escalante for gas, then continuing on through Panguitch and home via Bear Valley. We made it home around 4:15, just about right to be ready for a YM/YW activity beginning at 4:45.

Spring Creek Hike

Spring Creek Hike

On June 8, 2009 we decided to take our friends Dave and Carol Van Wagoner to see spring Creek. It doesn't matter how many times you go there, it is always beautiful and always interesting. Dave and Carol are fairly new to the area and fun to hike with. Dave finds even the simplest things interesting and has a million questions. Carol and Ellie take a rather leisurely pace, talking over the world's problems I'm sure.

Carol and Ellie as we begin the hike.

At the start, the canyon is quite wide and not all that spectacular. In a very short distance the canyon walls close in and the scenery becomes awesome. the hike is short and easy, and could probably be done most any time of year. You only go up the canyon a mile or two and beyond that you would need some serious climbing skills to go further

Dave and Carol

I finally found someone to take my photo!

This owl made the trip even more interesting. He didn't seem too upset with our presence, and just wanted to ignore us and be left alone. We finally convinced him to fly away after getting right in his face.

As a postscript, I guess we won't be hiking with Dave and Carol for a while. they have accepted a mission call to Romania. they leave about the end of November and will be gone 18 months.

Kanarra Falls

Kanarra Falls

Having grown up in New harmony you would think I would know all the good places to hike in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, I didn't hike much when I was growing up. We did a lot of walking while hunting, but mostly we rode horses as far as we could, then hiked. I don't ever remember looking for a place specifically to go hiking.

When I returned to the area a few years ago I heard people talk about Kanarra Falls. I thought it couldn't be much or I would know about it. Finally I decided to find out by asking around and talking to people who had been there. Based on their descriptions I decided it was definitely somewhere I should go and started making plans.

On July 11, 2009 Jillyn and Kenny were here and wanting to do a hike. We talked about going back up to the Beaver area and trying for Delano Peak again (last time we climbed Mount Holly by mistake instead of Delano) but decided it was too far for the time we had available. I suggested Kanarra Falls and they agreed.

The trail starts on the east side of Kanarraville up toward the water tank. There is a parking area below the tank, then the trail goes up the road past the tank, which is the hardest part of the entire hike.

First thing up the trail we met this wild-eyed guy who was muttering somewhat incoherently that he had almost stepped on a rattlesnake. Lucky for the snake because he weighed about 300 pounds. He pointed a shaky finger to a bush and we found the snake there scared half to death.

The Kanarra Falls hike, in my opinion, is one of the best kept secrets in the area. It is a beautiful slot canyon within walking distance for even the most inept. Small children can do it as it is only a couple of miles on pretty flat terrain. It might even be nice to have some younger folks along to protect you from the snakes. Some of the hike involves getting wet, and the creek probably flows higher and colder in the spring of the year, but in mid summer the water level is low and hot temperatures make a little soaking quite pleasant.

The canyon is wide at the bottom, but soon narrows and displays some beautiful sandstone formations made by years of erosion. As you continue you will find yourself walking through narrow winding slots barely wide enough to walk through and a hundred or so feet deep, cut through the sandstone by the stream's incessant flow.

At the first falls there is a log ladder that isn't too difficult to climb. It even has a rope handrail. If you don't want to climb this you can turn around here and still have had a great hike. If you are the adventurous type and have to see what is at the top of the falls, continue on.

Above are more slot canyons and more wading. It is kind of hard to avoid getting wet, at least to your knees.

About midway between the lower and upper falls you encounter this water park. There is no entrance fee, but there may be some waiting in line as there is only one slide. Kids were sliding down the slick rocks into the pool below while parents cooled off. I think we may have interrupted a wet tee shirt contest.

I have hiked Buckskin Gulch, which is considered one of the premier slot canyons in the world, but some of the places in Kanarra Creek are just as impressive and are much more accessible.

After some more slot canyon you arrive at the second falls. this one is a little more difficult, mainly because there is no log ladder. The only help is a rickety board ladder of sorts that has been nailed together. I put my camera into a plastic bag and then in my pack and tried to make the ascent. About half way up you have to grab a wet rope and pull yourself the rest of the way.

About the time I grabbed the rope, the ladder skipped and I found myself hanging by the rope directly under the falls. As my pack filled up with water and my clothes got soaked my grip on the rope slipped and I made a not so gentle descent. I checked and my camera stayed dry, thank goodness, but everything else was wet and even on a warm summer day it seemed quite cold. Jillyn and Kenny knew they could not better my display of sportsmanship, so they declined to try the ascent. We turned around at that point and returned back the way we had come.

Right after my failed attempt a strong young show-off came and showed us how to do it, but by then we had decided there couldn't be anything up there more impressive than what we had already seen.

The Mill Flat Fire

The Mill Flat Fire

There was a lightning strike on Pine Valley Mountain on July 25th, just north of Mill Flat. The strike started a fire which burned in rocky hillside area. Forest Service personnel were quick to observe the fire, but determined to let it burn as it seemed to pose no threat and might actually do some good by removing old growth and making way for new.

The smoke plume was visible from New Harmony and when I first spotted it I thought the fire was probably either in Main Canyon or Dam Canyon. It burned for nearly a month without spreading to more than a few acres. On Wednesday, August 26, the Forest Service had a public meeting in new harmony and informed residents that they were allowing the fire to burn based on wilderness area guidelines, and that it was being closely monitored. We were informed that if the fire reached certain predetermined lines, they would begin suppression efforts.

The very next day the fire began to spread north into the Straight Canyon area and a helicopter was called in to drop some water. The fire increased in size the following day but still appeared to be no threat. On Saturday, August 29, the fire increased in size and smoke filled the Harmony Valley. Around mid afternoon, the smoke began to lift as conditions created a 'column', and you could see that the fire had spread north of Straight Canyon and was turning back south toward Dam canyon. I went up on Little Mountain to get a better view, and was soon joined by Forest Service personnel who were now becoming quite concerned.I still wasn't too concerned for our own safety, as the fire was a long way from town. As we watched, I commented that I would start to be concerned when it came over Lawson Hill. In less than an hour it was coming over the hill, and as the evening breeze started to blow off the mountain the fire began racing north into the west side of town, threatening several homes and structures.
It was quite a helpless feeling as we watched the fire come closer and closer. We rigged up all our hoses and put sprinklers around the house and on the roof. We loaded a few emergency things and photo albums into the car just in case, still not thinking it would really get to us.

Fire crews were arriving from all over to help. A fire truck and crew from Santa Clara came and prepared to defend our home. They stated that the home itself was very defensible, but that my shop would probably not be due to all the vegetation so close by. I responded that they should forget about the shop and use all their efforts to save the house if it came to that. I moved all the vehicles down into the hay field and went back to my post on Little Mountain.

The fire burned through Gordon Pace's stockyard and haystack on its way north, which is about a quarter mile from our home. It seemed a lot closer when all you could see was a wall of smoke and fire.

As darkness came we watched the fire rage across the west side of town and the inferno consume everything in its path. We sorrowed for the property owners as we watched in morbid fascination as the flames erupted in gold, orange, red and yellow, and an occasional explosion would send sparks and flame shooting high into the air. There was a surreal beauty about what was happening, in spite of the destruction, particularly as a tree would ignite and send flames high into the night sky. We watched the fire until around midnight and by then it had calmed down with just a few hot spots occasionally flaring up.

Sunday morning the fire was relatively calm, but crews were working as soon as planes could fly, knowing that the heat of the day would bring it back to life. The main part of the fire was now burning high on the Long Ridge, burning to the south away from us. Church was called off so we watch from Little Mountain most of the day as the bombers dropped retardant and the helicopters dropped water. It was quite fascinating to watch them fill up at our neighbor's pond and fly right over our heads back to the fire.

The fire truck and crew had remained stationed at our house, though they were now from Hurricane. They seemed quite bored with their duty, wanting to be where the action was. Elma Lynne offered to let them pull weeds but they declined. I met a photographer from the Deseret News named Scott Winterton. He had made it into town before the road was closed and didn't want to leave because he wouldn't be able to get back in. We fed him a couple of meals and let him sleep in a guest room which was preferable to sleeping in his car.

The fire stayed fairly high on the mountain all day Sunday yet as the day warmed up it moved across the steep slopes south of us. At dark it died down again and didn't seem to be going anywhere, and about 9:30 pm we headed for Dad's house. We noticed that our fire truck and crew were gone, which caused a little concern but not too much as the fire seemed to be down for the night. I went out by the cemetery and watched until around midnight and the fire seemed quite benign so we went to bed at Dad's house to be company for Donna while Dad is in rehab in Saint George.
Around 2:00 am we were awakened by sirens and I went out to the corner and looked toward our home to see the fire had moved down the mountain and was literally at the back of Little Mountain which was glowing like a football stadium under full lights.

I quickly dressed and hurried to our home and upon arrival there realized the fire was way too close for comfort. I called Elma Lynne and told her that if she wanted anything else out of the house she better come and get it. There was a search and rescue man knocking on our door to tell us to get out, so I relayed the message to Scott who was sleeping peacefully. Then I headed for Little Mountain to get a good view of what was happening. On the way there I ran into a Forrest Service truck and the driver said he was lost. I told him how to get back to town, and asked him to get me a fire truck if he possibly could. Within twenty minutes we had two fire trucks and about thirty Hot shots on site.

As we watched from Little Mountain the wind calmed down and the fire stopped its advance around 4:00am. At this point they decided to do a back-burn from the fire line along the forest boundary, and soon the night sky was again vivid with fire, but this time it was burning away from us. As daylight came the fire near us was pretty well controlled and we had a pretty good fire break just in case it decided to turn back.

Hot Shot crews maintained the fire break most of the day, and by evening we felt that the threat was past for us. They continued to work for another few days, with crews and planes concentrating on areas high on the mountain.

Cooler weather helped and by the following Sunday the fire was declared 100% contained and the crews began to move out. As we looked at the smoldering heap the used to be Pine Valley Mountain, our hearts are sick for the loss.

In the final assessment the fire burned an estimated 12,607 acres and cost $6.2 million to put out. At the high point there were 765 personnel including seven Hotshot crews, 11 type two crews, 10 helicopters, 2 fixed wing aircraft, 35 engines, 2 dozers, and 8 water tenders. The support staff and logistics and organization of such an operation are staggering, and it was amazing to see how quickly they assembled this team.

I think most everyone in the valley is grateful for the efforts made. It could have been much worse. Several structures and three homes were lost, one being a million dollar second home, one being an abandoned double wide and a third being an apartment type structure over a barn. Several other homes and structures were damaged, but luckily saved. Mistakes were made that could have possibly averted this tragedy, and yet I think everyone knew Pine Valley Mountain was over due for a fire. I think that most felt that since the Blue Springs Fire a few years ago had come so close, we were immune for a while, but not so.

Now it is time for healing. It will take years for the mountain to recover, perhaps even decades, but it will recover. Many of us will not be alive to see it fully happen, but we will be able to watch as life returns, the ash fades and green takes over again.