Frozen in Leetonia

Home sweet home

Approaching home

Leetonia Rd.

Pine tree Hooke camp

I threw in a little video that you will have to view at the blog site to enjoy. We awoke to -8 this morning and the sun rising to warm it up to the low 20's today. When it gets below zero I have to let the faucet drip all night to keep the water lines from freezing. My grandfather buried the water line to the well a bit too shallow for full time living up here and dripping is the only way to keep it from freezing.

We got about 6-8 inches of new snow on Thursday and Friday bringing the snowmobilers back to the mountains. Although our road is plowed they didn't scrap it down to the grave so a few snowmobilers have been buzzing by the house this morning. Most of the snowmobiling is on the pipeline and other unplowed roads. You can hear them buzzing like bees in the trees as the sound bounces through the mountains.

The sun made the mountain like a postcard today with the blue sky above and the fresh white snow below. I put on my snow pants and just laid on the side of the mountain for a while looking up at the few white wisps of clouds passing over. The sun doesn't rise far over the mountain to the South of us during this time of year. In fact, it just comes up in the valley and follows the top of the mountain until it sets, casting a long shadow in front of the mountain. Fortunately, our house is high enough to get sun most of the day and that really helps warm it up and brighten things a bit during the short days of winter. 

We did two puzzles over the holidays. The first was a 1000 piece one on Christmas and the second a 750 piece one on New Years Eve. I got down to the last piece to put in at 2 min before midnight and it was missing. My searching didn't find it before midnight and I had to settle with finding it under the recliner the next day. Thanks I believe to a mischievous cat pushing it there. There is a lesson about goals and how they don't always go on your time schedule. 

I have never had a indoor cat before and I can tell you they are much more mischievous than the dogs. He is however catching the mice which has eliminated my need for poison or traps. Of course he likes to bat them around the house for a lot longer time than I will tolerate before I throw them outside. Speck investigated the one he had this morning and after sniffing it and seeing it wasn't moving didn't seem to understand why the cat was still interested in it at all.

Tomorrow it is supposed to get above freezing and possibly rain before again turning to snow Sunday through Monday morning. The possibility of rain in between the snow never thrills us. The ground is so cold it will instantly turn to ice and make driving very dangerous.Then it is supposed to go so cold the first few days of the week it will make last night seem like the Bahamas. Chains and four-wheel drive are still a must if you are to travel anywhere up here this time of year. Have a great 2014 from the Mountain girls and boys. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Bridge Work Progress

Forms during concrete pour.

In the picture you can see there is one woman on the crew helping pour concrete. They walked above the forms and guided the concrete in from the pump, while she was using the vibrator to get all the air pockets out of the concrete. Unfortunately, they forgot one safety issue when working with rebar pointing upwards...Always put safety caps on. I guess not too long after my pictures the woman slipped and rebar went into her knee. A bar also headed towards her neck, but she was fortunate enough to stop before that one entered.  Construction work seems so benign until someone gets hurt and it always happens fast. The problem is help isn't too fast in coming out here if you are seriously hurt. Hopefully, this will be their one and only accident. I am sure I will see some caps on the next pour.

The noise is continuing to bombard us and the end of this project won't be soon enough. Remember to go around. You aren't coming through this site in any sort of way other than walking. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Hummingbird Central

If you are getting this through email you will have to go to lostinleetonia.com to see the video of the hummingbirds. They were quite active this morning after a good rain fall. Since the sun was out I was able to get a good video of them trying to catch up on feeding. This is the height of the season for them with babies and adult bulking up for the long winter flight to the South. It is a good thing most of them are fast as Felix is trying to snag a few in the air as they run by him on the fence. He is a very bad kitty. Enjoy the hummingbirds. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Noise Pollution in the Quiet Woods

Ear plugs are the only thing keeping us calm. The reason we live out here is for the peace and quiet. I think that is being seriously challenged by this project. I was prepared to be disturbed during the day of digging, but I hadn't braced for a 24hr, 7 day a week until the project is over noise challenge. They are saying 2 months to complete this bridge. If any of you know a "legal" solution to this problem I would sure like to hear about it. I am wondering if a noise baffle can be put up around the pump. This is the first time since we have lived here being away from the house is more peaceful. :(  Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Walk down past Cedar Crest Camp

Corner of Leetonia Road and Painter-Leetonia Rd 

Boot Spikes

Opossum Tracks

Today I took a walk down past Cedar Crest Camp and to the turn past the first narrow stretch about two and a half miles from my house. The temperature was around 25 degrees and a little breeze made it nippy at times. Saw my first opossum tracks of the year just in front of Mick's old place. Also saw a few fox tracks along the way, but otherwise not much to talk about in the way of animals. The road is fairly easy to travel with a four-wheel drive vehicle during the times it is below freezing. The base is from 0-3" thick and will soften when the temperature rise making travel a little more slippery. Best to stay in the absolute middle of the road if you attempt the unplowed roads. 

Walking on the roads when they are below freezing gives you a mixture of dirt, ice and snow and is best done with some spikes attached to make walking a little less tentative. Much of the South slopes of the mountain are melted off and during times the sun is out it is quite pleasant to sit in the warmth of the sun. The feral cat is still doing just fine, but still not anxious to be friends. If you get this email via email you will have to go to lostinleetonia.com in order to see the video. You can feel the weather changing from winter to a bit more pleasant weather. I am not ready to call Spring yet, but I think we will have a few Spring-like days soon. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Walk around the block

Forest Gun Club

Deer Experiment Area

Coming into Leetonia from South

Uprooted Oak

Oak Project ?

Camp

Coyote Tracks

Corner at Francias Leetonia 

Rock at Cushman View

Well, I walked around the block today it took 5 hours it is almost 12 miles. In all that distance I didn't see anything bigger than birds. 1 Raven, 3 Grouse and several Chickadees. There really wasn't that many tracks for deer in the entire loop. The pictures above aren't in the order I walked and are a few of the things I photographed.
For me some of the saddest things are the experiments the Forestry and Game are doing with the woods. The picture labeled, "Deer experiment area," can pretty much be described as a waste of money.  Several years back they did a "controlled burn," that got a little uncontrolled. Then they fenced it to keep the deer out. This was supposed to prove how much damage the deer do to the forest. Only all it proved was how much damage the controlled burn had done. A year later many of the large trees died from the burn so they let a logging company in to take them. Still they persisted with the fence a bit longer. Bears and deer got inside easily and their data if they really had any was useless. So they took the fence down last year.
The next experiment is going on further down the road. They logged everything out of a large area except a few select Oak trees that were supposed to reseed the area. It sounded logical, but they neglected to account for the effect the lack of trees would have on the ones left. The lonely oaks once buffeted from wind by their neighboring close trees now got the brunt of it and I counted easily a dozen uprooted. Also the lack of cover dries the ground out making it difficult for the oak seedlings to start. So far I don't see any new oaks. Maybe I need a better explanation of how this is supposed to work.
Our forest is out of balance. It is out of balance because of so much harvesting of pulp wood and it is out of balance in the composition of the animals. I am beginning to think managing the forest means: figure out the way to get the most money out of it and don't put anything back. If I am wrong about this please educate me and explain how this all is supposed to work.
Well, that is my political message for the day. On the brighter side the walk was very pleasant. The temps started cold at 10 degrees but it warmed up and walking was very nice. The distance proved about 2 miles more than my legs would have liked to have gone. When I reached downtown Leetonia, they wanted to stop. But since the bus was running slow, I had to push them forward. Walking in the snow even though it was packed takes a bit more effort than walking on dry land. I enjoyed my time in the woods and I would recommend a walk for anyone really wanting to see this area. Mountain girl, Paula, logging off.



Even though Map says Sat...I did this on Sunday.

Create Maps or search from 80 million at A 11.45 mi Walk mapped on Sat Jan 26 2013 and more walks in Galeton, PA on MapMyWalk. Find walk

com/">MapMyWalk

Snowmobile Weekend

Scooter

Barry

If you get this post by email you have to go to http:// lostinleetonia.com to see the video.

Well it was a busy weekend for snowmobilers there was a constant hum of machines running up and down the roads through the forest. Barry stopped by and bought the cargo sled so all of my snowmobile stuff is gone. I have mixed emotions about it cause now I am limited to where I can walk, or ski during the winter to see things, but with the lack of snow the last two winters it is for the best.

I talked to the guys at Sunlite camp and they said one of them had come up from Cedar Run it took them 2 hours of misery to go the 7 miles. So at this time I am sticking to my recommendation of not driving a vehicle up from Cedar Run unless you are the adventurous type that doesn't mind getting stuck a few times. By the end of the week it looks like it will warm up and rain so it is anyone's guess as to what shape the roads will be in for next weekend. 

Scooter and I took a walk up to the "Triplets" and back recording the snowmobiles racing toward us. He is such a good dog by himself and it makes me sad I have to find him a new home. So if any of you know of someone who would take good care of him let me know. For now he and I are getting in some winter walking and cross-country skiing while the snow is good. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out. 

A Thanksgiving day walk

Scooter carrying food and water

Walking up Leetonia Rd

Wilson Pt Rd turn

Lee Fire Tower site

Heavy Mt Laurel and wrong turn

Beginning half-mile trail

There is a video with this so if you get blog by email and want to see video you will need to go to the lostinleetonia.com website.

So I decided to go on an eight mile hike for Thanksgiving. The weather was perfect and it saved me tons of calories eating a big meal. I took only Scooter with me as I knew the trail was going to be too rough for Speck, the Chihuahua and Leo had cut his foot on a hike the previous day and I didn't want him to damage the foot anymore.

I packed Scooter up with all the snacks and water and we headed up Leetonia Road from the house. It was 22 degrees out so I dressed in layers and found out my sweatshirt was too hot by the time we walked a mile up the road. Hiking upwards creates it own heat and the sun was warming things up quickly. When we turned onto Wilson Point Road I thought the worst of the hike was over now it would be mostly downhill when we got to Half-mile trail.

I took a picture at the old Lee Fire Tower site, I remember as a kid coming up there and climbing into the lookout station when they still had rangers that looked for forest fires. The new technology of satellites sadly ended the need for a fire tower and it was torn down in the late eighties. My mother who never liked heights barely could stand even watching us climb up in the tower that moved in the wind. I had seen a marker on the ground up there and was going to take a picture of that as well, but the leaves hid it so well I couldn't find it.

Just about a quarter mile past the fire tower site I saw what I thought was the beginning of half-mile trail. It didn't take me long to figure out it was an old logging area so heavily covered in Mt. Laurel even Scooter refused to move without encouragement. Mountain laurel has very crooked branches that seem to grab at you as you try to make your way through them. We both tripped and stumbled looking for what I thought would be the trail soon. Once you go so far through hard brush it is hard to think about turning around and going back through it again, but that is exactly what I had to do.  At first I thought the trail had disappeared in the logging and laurel as you hear me state on the video. So I decided to walk farther down Wilson Pt road and within another half mile I found the sign and trail.

The trail was overgrown with Mountain Laurel, but not to the point a small path had disappeared. The further down the trail we went the less Mountain Laurel, but there was a lot of debris and downed trees across the path. Half-mile trail's name is deceiving because it is not a half mile long in fact it is nearly two miles long. The only reason I can figure they called it that is if you drive from the point on Cedar Mountain Rd where it comes out to the place on Wilson Pt Rd it is about 5 miles so going through the trail cuts that in half. Well, a bit more than half. The trail is beautiful going down the side of the mountain along a creek bed, which at one point you feel like you are getting close to then it stays an even distance from you most of the way down as it descends with you. It is only the last half mile of the trail you see the water close to you.  It is a shame the trail has not been better maintained for if a hunter tries to use it to bring back game it is pretty much an obstacle course. However it is pretty well marked and nice as a long hike.

At the bottom of the trail they are working on one of the bridges so the road down to Leetonia is temporarily closed. During my entire walk I saw only birds, some chickdees and about six grouse. There were however signs of deer and turkey scratching things to eat from the ground. The walk with my mountain laurel detour and taking time to eat a lunch took me four hours and I covered about eight miles. Certainly this is no speed record but it was a nice hike to appreciate a wonderful day in the woods. I felt especially thankful for the opportunity and the health to complete it.  Scooter crashed when we got home tired from being the pack animal. The other dogs were full of energy and I think a bit put off they didn't get to go. Have a great Thanksgiving from Leetonia and remember to enjoy the things we get for free that are priceless. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Bear fun

My brother sent me this video. This is the reason no one around here leaves open dumpsters.This was posted on You Tube by Published on Jul 25, 2012 by AWESOMEOnaut
Three Baby bears got stuck in a dumpster over night. Mama bear sat by the dumpster all night listening to her cubs cry. Shirley and Tom Schenk, help three bear cubs escape from a dumpster in Ruidoso, N.M. Mountain girl, Paula, logging off.

Maynard School Continued

I am posting some pictures of the outside of Maynard School. Also a video showing the inside before I started remodel project. So far the entire interior walls have been taken off. The slate board has been saved to be put back up when remodeling is done. I found some homework written by a student about George Washington the father of our country...it was in between the walls and is dated 1895. The mice had chewed off a corner so I couldn't see the first few sentences. I am surprised it survived inside the wall that long.

I also made another find in the wall near the front door. I saw what appeared to be a large rag stuffed in the bottom of wall. However, when I pulled it out..it was apparent my rag was a dead cat. The cat was almost mummified it was so dry. I don't know if the cat died cause it fell in there or died from other reasons. This also solves the mystery poop that fell on my head in a couple spots. I had figured it to be a cat or raccoon. Now I know it was a cat.

I started taking the old windows out today. The wood was so rotten on the windows nothing could be saved. I am reframing for new ones. You can tell from the interior the windows were added after the building had been up a while. Because whoever cut them in...just cut straight through without framing around above or below them. They just sort of floated there. The walls are 5" thick so a 2x6 has to be ripped down to match. I can tell there is some variations in the wall thickness so there will be a lot of shimming to make it look good later.

I was glad it warmed up to slightly above freezing today as I have no heat while working on the building. There is a space heater, but with the walls gone and the windows open it is a lost cause. Tomorrow more window pulling and framing...then it will be onto other structure issues and trying to figure out ways to keep out the animals. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Leetonia Christmas 2010

Today is Christmas in Leetonia. We had some snow flurries, but there is not much in the way of snow up here yet. It is common for us to get our heavier snows in January and February. One Christmas it rained and that really dampened the Christmas Spirit. I thought you might enjoy listening to the sounds of Buck run as you finish your Christmas celebrations.

We spent a quiet Christmas at home warmed by a fire. Lee was warmed by a fever. Unfortunately, Santa brought her the flu for Christmas. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

P.s. Vote for Pine creek as best river you will have to go through descriptions of rivers to get to voting.

Hummingbirds

Lee has sixteen feeders up. It is very difficult to get them to cooperate with being filmed, but here is a small taste. The sound you hear in the background is rain dropping on a piece of tin. She fills the feeders each day and they buzz around like bottle rockets. They eat 50-60 times per day and can fly backwards...the only bird who can do this. They are feisty little birds often sparring with each other. They have even been know to chase eagles. The are able to go into a kind of hibernation at night to conserve energy and fly as much as 2500 miles south in the winter. Because of their incredible abilities they are known as a symbol of accomplishing that which seems impossible. Something we need to be reminded of a lot when trying to live in such a hard area as Leetonia to make a living. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out and accomplishing the impossible.

Sounds of Leetonia

There is nothing like the sound of the creek on a beautiful Spring day in Leetonia. This is Buck Run in front of the house and the recent rain has keep the creek running well and clear. The day started in the lower 40's but quickly warmed up and it is expected to get into the 70's today. Things always seem greener and fresher after a rain. The only downside is the bugs are quick to follow. There is a ton of lazy flies out and some no see-ums. This is the only thing about summer I don't like.
On my way down to look at a fallen tree in Leetonia a young bear ran across the road up into the forest. Scooter didn't care for that and gave a quick growl to hurry the bear along. The light sparkles through the trees in rays upon the road and the sounds of birds are everywhere. This is the pay off for making it through another winter of cold and silence. The weather for the weekend is looking like some rain at this point. But you never know until it happens. On the days they say it will rain it is often the nicest day of the week. Enjoy the creek if you listen close enough you can hear the birds as well. Mountain girl, Paula, logging off.

Leetonia Rd on the way to Cedar Run

Here is a little video I took traveling down the road in the chained up Subaru. You will hear the sound of the chains clicking down the road. Lee was driving. It was a little dark and the wind affected the sound at one point, but you get a little taste of these roads covered in snow. I shot this about a half mile before Mine Hole Rd going South on Leetonia Rd. to Cedar Run. Have fun hanging on with us. Mountain girl, Paula logging out.

Merry Christmas Petites

I took this video on Christmas Day around the Petite Camp. The icy crust on the snow made walking difficult and a little shaky video. Enjoy the sites and sounds of Leetonia on Christmas Day. Mountain Girl, Paula, logging out!

Christmas day in Leetonia

For all of you who have cabins on the side of the hill in Leetonia. This is what your place looked like on Christmas Day. The only thing in Leetonia other than the ghosts of Christmas past where a flock of Turkeys and one deer.

Mountain Girl, Paula, Logging out!

Its movie time in the Mountains

I didn't think this would work its my first attempt to upload video to this site. Lee shot this during her walk with the dogs. There was a lot of wind interfering with the sound. We got about 3 inches of snow last night and they are promising more guess we won't know until morning what the damage is. If this works well it will bring a whole new dimension to the news from Leetonia. Seems most of the hunters left today and there are only a few people up here this Sunday. The cold is a bitter reminder of how much winter we have left. Officially winter doesn't even start until Dec 21st. and last a very long three months. We don't have an extremely fast internet connection so loading a lot of video probably won't happen but it is nice to see things in motion every once in a while. Mountain Girl, Paula, logging out!