#228

Moving the hill for the solar panels and using the dirt for the driveway and county road maintenance...
/ redpoppyranch
Contact: [e-mail]
Music: www.epidemicsou...

[@kurtmac7612]

Less stress and less worry makes you more grateful, you’re living the dream youve done well for yourself 👌

[@ttfweb1]

I used to worry a lot about what I'd get accomplished - I had this vision of what I could build for us to enjoy as a family. Then 5 years ago, one of my kids passed away - and a hole was blown in my life and that vision kind of fell apart. I realized life here is short and sometimes very difficult. So I still build things, but I don't worry so much, knowing it's only temporary in the best of circumstances. What I do focus on much more, is spending time with them today. It's hard for me to set down the hammer even now - but worth it. God bless you all, and keep you safe, and give you joy - both now and in the home you build.

[@stevesammut499]

The place is looking really good. Maybe you can plant a sapling Douglas fir a safe place away from the house, but nearer enough to enjoy the wind blowing through it. Your grand children, great grand children etc will refer to that as the grandpa tree. It will mean a lot more to them because you will have planted it the year your family moved into the house you single handedly built for them. Great videos.

[@black_dog_barks]

Love how your dog supervises you... Really nice to see the county fixing the road... with people living out there it forces them because of public safety. Drop of the workers some cookies, or baked goods and you will have made friends with trucks...once the family is with you I am sure the project will be more rewarding.

[@jkhenderson1]

You take one day at a time, one step at a time. That's all you have. In time it will all be done and you will be alive and healthy to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Once again, you've done a great job. Blessings!

[@noc8076]

Look into getting geo textile / ground fabric under your new drive way. Then get a layer of stone 2-6" before the top layer of gravel. This will firm up and prevent the gravel from mixing with the clay and becoming soggy. The stone will increase the load bearing. To compensate for the loss of the front bucket on the backhoe, you can get a bucket and a hydraulic top cylinder and mount it on the back of your tractor. Won't be as effective or be able to lift too high, but will give you the ability of moving larger amounts of dirt, and is also great for moving tools, trash or anything else around. By drilling a hole in the bucket and adding a 2" ball, you can also move trailers with it easily.

[@gracielapinon4118]

A person' that has honesty,integrity, and love for family, nature, and God. Always will accomplish their dreams.

[@Hungry_Hunter]

Harden up buttercup your doing a great job just remember your in the drivers seat and your making your own prosperity.

[@rapidrestorationsllc2764]

I have been watching your videos for a while, i really enjoy your narration to the videos. I must have missed something because I thought the house was completely sided already. Anyways never give up bro, you have come too far!! Your getting really close to being done. Although with your work ethic I don’t believe you will ever truly be done. I say that in a good way! No question, your family will appreciate all your doing!

[@marcusweaver9728]

Mike Cortez i thought the exact same thing

[@nukemanmd]

I went through the past videos and it looks like he sided all but the back of the house. I don't know why he hasn't done the back..although he is talking about adding to the house.

[@theineffablehomestead3378]

He was talking about why in this video around 4:40 mark, though not specifically addressing why. He is planning to build onto the back side. So not siding makes adding an addition easier.

[@gwackamoley]

Love ypur thoughts about how you do things. Love that you stop and actively listen to the pure quiet being there brings. Its soul rejuvenating. 🌲

[@andrewray4417]

Have been watching your videos for a few months now I look forward to your new postings but what I find good is your narration and your family values if more people took a leaf out of your book this world would be a better place l live in England but if I ever manage to get out your way I would love to shake your hand wishing you and your family all the best and I hope you achieve all your goals

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thank you!

[@lesleyharris3198]

Andrew Ray poetic, great idea

[@bryanzingmark819]

I too have been watching for a while, and really like the narration. I like it because you sound like a pretty humble guy. Calm and calculated. I like your go getter attitude, and have been impressed with the home uour buiding by yourself. Thanks for all the vids and positive narratives. I like listening to conference talks over and over. Im also a big believer in just turning everything off. It helps me to focus and clears my mind.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

I usually have a few downloaded and ready to go.

[@mrfixxit9302]

Clay dirt mix makes an excellent base for a driveway. Make sure you get it compacted while it still has a little moisture in it and it will shed water and be very stable. Make sure you start with a layer of 4in minus rock and get it compacted before you waste money on crushed rock. In the long run you will have a MUCH better result. Keep up the good work!

[@matthiasBdot]

Just plant a new one! I did this and even after 3 years I'm really proud

[@lindaleduke5016]

I hate to lose trees, too. Last spring we had a thunderstorm with some fierce straight-line winds. The wind along with the load of wet leaves took down a huge pecan tree that my great-grandfather had planted in 1911. I'm not ashamed to say that I cried and more than once, too. After much work the yard was cleaned up. However, the stump is still there, too heavy to lift and too big for a regular chainsaw to cut up. I saved a log or two and later I'll have something made to keep. That will have to suffice. One can't sit in the shade of or hang a swing from the strong limb of a memory.

[@Antosescape]

Linda LeDuke if the roots are healthy there's a chance new baby trees will grow from the stump, I've seen lots of stumps with new growth. Maybe your grandpas tree is not lost a d a new one will grow

[@greggwoods7173]

Thats some real progress.. You've talked about that for a while now.. Great that the county finally helped with the road and the culvert.

[@wtftolate3782]

You are so much like me... I'm glad I found your channel.

[@chas2can124]

Thank you for your inspiring words and contribution to the followers

[@Downeastwaves]

Thanks for the update. Wondering progress. Excellent for county to help. Great trade! That wood chipper will be a big blessing, wood chips are gardener GOLD!

[@jamest5149]

Looks great, especially now the country side is now green and starting to hide the mud!

[@chrishare3981]

Thanks for sharing about feelings.it helps to know that we are not alone in the battle

[@jv1969]

I know what mean about the sound of wind through trees. I have redwood, and it's marvelous

[@maryritelli1667]

Thank you for your wonderful videos and life lessons we can all learn from.

[@Teem_Loots]

I'm not sure if he even reads the comments but I would suggest adding in swales on contour to make use of the water coming off the hill to grow food.

[@garycrumrine9538]

Wind stunts the growth of Firs. In Colorado, you find them with branches only on the down wind side of the trunks..

[@glenngoodale1709]

That place is really shaping up ... your doing a fine job

[@markmortensen4341]

Yes I would say your wife is getting anxious to be in the house. Heck a I'm even anxious to see you move in! You moved a lot of dirt for sure. Just think what you could have done with an excavator! You've made some big progress for sure. Thanks again for sharing your video.

to see the difference of the place, is getting beautiful, congratulations.

[@KoalityofLife]

I know what you mean when you say "even on my worst days I would still rather be up here", I had only been up on our property of a week and when I left and came back home, I missed it right away. Soon we will be up there all the time, I cant wait. Your doing a great job. You have come so far so fast it seems. Fun fact about a Douglas Fur tree, our property is mostly pine and oak but my wife found her favorite tree and yes its an old Douglas Fur that's about 70' tall. :)

[@scottlee5977]

Lol! "There's easier ways to have a mid-life crisis." I'm right there with ya! Keep up the good work! Great example for your kids.

[@corylenihan2736]

happy for you and your family. give it heck!!!!

[@mmanut]

Property is looking fantastic. Possibilities are endless. Don’t give up, many people would give their right arm to have that, You are so close‼️👍🇺🇸 Vinny

[@inadollard6672]

Love the videos, I love to listen to the quiet of solitude.

[@thomasarussellsr]

Looking good Heath. If I may make a suggestion, use some of the trees you took down under a section or two of the driveway to detour any washout from heavy rain and/or snow melt. If you have large rock, that would be even better to build small dams with under the dirt fill. So sorry the "grandpa tree" has to come down, any chance of digging around it to replant it in another spot?

[@selador11]

I have a friend who claims that worrying works! Nothing that she has ever worried about has happened! :)

[@ttfweb1]

selador11 yes!

[@RedPoppyRanch]

exactly...

[@nadial1131]

I love your narration!!!!! I'm a worrier also. I always enjoy your voice overs. Be blessed!

[@toddhaver8535]

When the guy came out the new road in for our new church. He used brick bates large stone then 57 gravel finished off with crushed lime stone. The road is like driving on chip& seal. Nice hard road surface.

[@duhe98]

Your dog looks super happy out on the farm.

[@myrthagunter4141]

I keep thinking about your drainage problem .My husband took three two-by-fours, and made a trough so that he could drain water off of our gravel road. Leave the end open that will drain into the main ditch line ,close the other end off .Wish that I could draw you a picture . Once you get the gravel on the road ,dig a ditch at a slight angle , then place the trough into the ditch level with the ground. You may need to clean the trough , or troughs out from time to time. You can drive over the trough, they hold up very well. Sometimes heavy rains will clean out the troughs. If you have a very wide road , you may need more two by fours. Hope this helps. Something to think about.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thanks!

[@stevelynn7885]

Your on your way to a much better way, place,an your family I'm sure appreciates your HARD WORK, AN GOD IS ON ALL OF YOUR SIDES, So to worry about anything is just a waste of your VALUABLE TIME!!! BLESS YOU AND YOURS!!!

[@colleenrodamer6230]

So love seeing ur progress God bless

[@diligenceintegrity2308]

I was thinking about the parking. while cars need solid support underneath, people require far less property grooming. A cement walkway to the house, with a mild incline might serve needs and require far less soil grooming. Just a thought.

[@jefff9549]

I agree with you about being alone with myself.

[@slamsshenanigans2296]

Athens place is beautiful this time of year!

[@dutchofsc]

Look into recycled products, like crushed concrete and crushed brick. I have crushed brick on my red clay driveway and it works amazing. That slick clay wouldn't let you drive on it if any rain came down, now I get up the hill no problem. All the mortar from the brick locks everything in place rock solid, and it's 1/3 the price of crusher run, $8 per ton in my area. Place is looking great!

[@weedygarden]

The entrance to any property is important. Removing the trees closer to your home also protects it from the potential of forest fires. My grandparents had a ranch that my great aunt, my Grandma's sister homesteaded. It was pure clay. When it rained, it was terrible! Vehicles would get stuck and people would take off their socks and shoes and just walk in the mud. It took them years to get a garden plot developed with chicken manure and cow manure.

[@shawnvandenabeele1455]

Great videos thanks so much for sharing.a dozer and a good operator would make lite of your drive and a good pack like some crush i think is ideal for a drive.

[@joshmiller5742]

Love your videos. Hope your feeling better.

[@averageschmo963]

Good job!!!! God bless!!!!!

[@Xtinnoker]

That there is one dull chainsaw chain, Makes it awful hard to cut things.

[@N8TheSnake]

Cedar gon a bust your chops for cutting down that doug fir, good luck sir things are looking great!

[@beavercreekfabrications1719]

6:16 a midlife crisis.... Lol. I'm just 37 and I think if done had about 4 or 5 of them.... Lol. Y'all's doing some beautiful work. I've noticed through a lot of the comments people tend to be so negative, don't let that bother y'all. Just be you. Loving the videos.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thanks!

[@sf98]

You should look into recycled asphalt........................used it on my road before the winter and so far so good.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

More expensive than gravel around here.

[@sf98]

Oh ok .......................... its $7.00 cheaper a yard here in NH

[@alanviner3711]

I was thinking the same thing, these videos must not have been in chronological order. As a few videos ago the tin roof was on as well as the siding.. no big deal really you are doing great things, just confused in the order...

[@Saratogan]

Speaking of worry, are you worried about potential landslide from removing the hillside from behind the house. Retaining wall perhaps? Another retaining wall below, perhaps at the road level, would help combat erosion.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

No. I may build a retaining wall down the road.

[@Rebecca-zr2zx]

I wish you wouldn't sell the new holland backhole man, it's a great machine... too bad would couldn't get a GOFUNDME acct going so you could keep both! Just a thought.

[@joopterwijn]

I do not know a lot of road construction, but could you get (cheap) stone demolition rumble for driveway foundation. Here in my country (Netherlands EU) they use stone rumble (crumbled /crushed stone, from old buildings, demolition sites) for road foundation. It cheap and reuse of waste material.

[@markschattefor6997]

I don't know if it's available in the US or your area, but in the Netherlands we use a lot of recycled/crushed bricks and concrete to stabelise roads and parking spaces. Another thing I want to mention is the fact that I saw you nailing planks/boards straight to the tyvec covered walls. I don't know anything about your local climate, but over here I would have recommended a gap between the tyvec and the boards to avoid condensation to start mold and rotting from the inside. I think that is the reason also why you had to keep a space open while insulating your roof. The more you insulate the more important ventilation becomes. To give you an idea what I mean; when I was young and all the houses had single (?) glas in our windows, in wintertime we often had "iceflowers" on our bedroom windows. That was frozen condensation, we breath out a lot of watervapor. When they started to install double glass windows we didn't have ice on the windows anymore. But what everybody forgot, was that there was the same amount of humidity in the room/house. So after a while people got problems with mold showing up on places where they had never problems before. If you find any spelling mistakes, you can keep them. And if only one person learned something from what I wrote, I'm a happy man.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

The air gap is not required here. Not that wet. Thanks!

[@christinedahlmann4295]

You are doing an awesome job with everything you are doing. Love watching your videos. Everything will come together for you and your family. In Jesus Christ name amen.

[@chrisgrosser4054]

I just had 5 trees removed that were leaning towards my home. I had them removed because there is nothing more impotent then the safety of my family and home. All were planted by my wife's father almost 50 years ago. It seemed I was the bad guy for a short while. But I had to do what was best.

[@margretrobbins301]

You might want to reach out to some paving companies and see if they will dump their asphalt millings on your property.

[@OOpSjm]

I think you need to just open up a Construction/Farm Equipment Sales and Service Shop at this point.

[@salmonhunter7414]

You can put a foot of wood chips on the drive and it should help for the short term. May be last 3 or 4 years

[@martijnfransen9933]

worrying is also a form of intelligence, recorgnizing that there is challanges ahead and that you rather see them then getting surpized by them. I have learned to look as far as I see and not further...because eventhough I know there is more ahead it is no use to guess at what it is. Being mindfull and enjoying what you have accomplished gives you what you need. Eat your frog, set your goals track your time and be human and kind to your self!. take care you have done an excellent job!

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Thank you...

[@scott-vq3qk]

good job

[@lineflyer100]

I've seen a lot of cattle in my day but never any ATV mountain climbing cattle

[@lesleyharris3198]

Hi, your land is looking great, is your family of Greek desent the back ground music has a Greek influence, sounds lovely

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Scottish. Just like the music.

[@johnsaintvincent8406]

I understand your point of view to improve the terrain and protect yourself from ferocious animals. But you were able to save some good trees by transplanting with the help of machinery. But hey, you also work alone. I value that too.

[@marianneoprisko7737]

I agree the hill needed to be moved back but if you are doing that then a retaining wall with gravel back. It will act like a French drain moving the water around the house. Not necessary an immediate need. Sorry about the fir.

[@beachlife1411]

Super nice bud....

[@ustinman8446]

watch Andrew Camarata channel . He puts down a ROAD FABRIC on the dirt before putting gravel down. this way you don't lose the gravel in dirt when wet.Andrew does this for a living and he's the best operator on KZbin.ps. lift that RT outrigger ,before you catch it and snap it off.

[@DennyGuymon]

I just found your channel and I love what you are doing! I would appreciate a few minutes of your time. I believe that I can assist you with some ideas to overcome your overwhelm. I look forward to talking to you.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Message me on facebook if you'd like.

[@robertfirestone5743]

It looks very good GOD SPEED I like the birds myself

[@hughroney6342]

Don't put clay down and then gravel on top, you are just going to wind up losing it all to the rains! All you want on a laneway is gravel, larger the stone on the bottom even better. Blasted rock is the best base

[@poulsonarrow]

Heath i know your plans as far as the back lot, where your taking that soil from , my concern is land slides IF your thining out those trees , are you removing the bonding of stability? as for the track would adding cement help dry out and give some more strength with added stone ? ? Old faithful ( spruce ) could it be re planted elsewhere? ...

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Tree's way to big to transplant.

[@poulsonarrow]

Red Poppy Ranch , Ha jip , well it's not as if it's the only one hey. Just a quick idea about water have you looked into land drains? think back in the day they where terracotta tubes buried across the land which could lead to your pool your planning to set out .

[@kacky6475]

It is a shame that you can't relocate the Douglas Fir. :-(

[@juliebradley8437]

LOL the doggo :)

[@jake08742]

How did all you inspections go, electrical and pluming or you haven't done it yet. Just curious. I'm Shure you will have no problems.

[@mandbhomestead]

That is looking good. I wonder why they put a Doug fir tree every 100yds or so? Markers? Your dream is really close. Thanks for sharing.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Mother nature...

[@justinnoseworthy4683]

put a rope tow ski and sledding hill on the hill! the hill is perfect for it.

[@gregorythomas333]

Just a thought... Have you considered re-planting/relocating the tree down on the house pad level?

[@RedPoppyRanch]

It's too heavy.

[@gregorythomas333]

Ah...oki

[@rjd048]

If you feel unsafe and unable to get the back hoe up on the hill , what makes you think the track hoe will be any better. I own both pieces of equipment and the only advantage with the track hoe is the foot print on soft or soggy wet land over the back hoe, it doesn't get stuck as easily as the back hoe.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

I could do it with the backhoe if it didn't dig into the soft topsoil.

[@dwsnsgp]

Doug firs here in Oregon do not stand alone like that. They blow down if not planted in numbers. That is the reason for clear cuts.

[@Chris-yo4ks]

try to make sure and seperate the top soil from the clay as much as possible.....the clay will compact quite well.....the organic rich top soil will not compact and cause soft spots in your drive. You may have already been doing that, just couldn't tell in the video.

[@festorfamine]

Chip those branches and leaves, start your compost pile asap. There's no such thing as enough compost.

[@ChrisK-LTC]

A couple of things that would help you out. Get some RR ballast to make your driveway base out of. Pack that into your clay mud before putting the gravel down. Also, go a bit further up your hill and dig and interceptor ditch to catch a lot of the run off early.

[@ThePunitiveDamages]

RIP Doug Fir :(

[@sighpocket5]

Nice!,,

[@davidcasper8923]

Have you considered Roto-mill for the driveway? I don't know if there is anywhere close to you to get some. Just a thought.

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Expensive around here.

[@mickellamac]

From experience with clay on ground, putting gravel on top of clay doesn't work unless you put down sand first. Don't you guys grease your pins?

[@mghippie]

I can still hear the wind in the live oak tree

[@That1ufo]

Where has the Monster digger gone??

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Still here.

[@bestruintd]

such a shame to see that tree go, how about fixing it to the ground with cables as to prevent it from moving?

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Had to take the dirt out around it. Had to go.

[@AbdulRauf-fm1wq]

You got a good place ...what city is it?

[@lastniceguy1]

Have you got some kind of a lightning rod?

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Not yet.

[@sumanthababoolal4710]

Lovely top soil don't waste it

[@steliostsoumas]

Why you cut the tree?

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Too close to the house.

[@maggiesue4825]

I worry that the bank you've created, without trees, is going to eventually collapse. Do you have plans for containing that bank?

[@RedPoppyRanch]

Not really. The angle is not hat severe but I may stack rocks against it.

[@joed7073]

Why wouldn't you finish the roof???

[@MegaZedlav]

Are you or have you gotten the advice of a civil engineer for a look at flooding possible mud slides and so on? I ask because there are no retaining walls or boulders and erosion after construction is possible! God bless

[@clarekrishan1597]

I thought the 'title' reference to *culvert* was one on the property and thought to myself FINALLY, some safe site prep! O no... its the county road folks being sensible... take a cue from their book! There needs to be some _negative_ grade somewhere _beneath_ that fill dirt else its all going to wash away in the next inundation. Excavate and add a culvert from the future house *moat* (diagonal across to the sewage drain field) to allow that excess surface water to drain away freely without impedence. Anything impeding its path will be moved by the kinetic energy, via erosion or mass propulsion or will dam up (ie _flood_) behind the clay deposited by previous erosion or propulsion by the higher mass (ie _gravity_).

[@lesleyharris3198]

Hi, in early videos he has explained he's going to grade the area and use drainage, as in french drains ,