The Coop

It has been a while since my last post.

And it has been a very busy spring and summer this year.

The warm weather started with a construction project.

Now, neither of us are experienced in this activity, but we used our wits and came up with a plan.

We needed a small chicken coop for four new life forms that were going to be joining us in a matter of weeks.

We each drew what we thought would work, and when we compared our diagrams, we had drawn the same style of coop.

That was a good start - no disagreements to overcome.

My main concern - it had to be strong enough to withstand the many types of wildlife that visit us regularly.

I don't want my chickens to be their meals.

We built it sturdy and strong - both the coop and the attached pen.

Thick wood and hardware cloth instead of chicken wire will hopefully keep them safe.

Comparing what we built with the ones available at the hardware store, I would say we did a fine job.

The cost was minimal as we recycled most of the parts.

After adding the hay, the chickens new home was ready - and just in the nick of time for their arrival!

Whop! Whop! Whop!

Each connecting swing of the hammer made the pitch change.

I never knew that nails had such a song as they were driven into hard wood.

I could tell when the swing was perfect and when it wasn't just by that song.

And the smell of the wood sawdust as it fell to ground from the back of the circular saw.

Sweet and fragrant.

It would have been grand to have been out there with my camera to capture these actions - and they probably would do well on the stock sites too.

But we are constructing a chicken coop - for my four new chickens.

And I want to help build it.

Besides - I would have missed the song of the nails if I was paying attention to capturing the action instead of participating in it.

.

ABC Wednesday - R is for Road

This is an unusual kind of road.

A vehicle can travel on it, but it is mostly used by pedestrians.

Maintained by the flood control engineers, it is actually built along the top of a dam.

We have seen the peaceful calm waters of the reservoir it holds back, and we have seen those same waters high and fiercely flowing during spring floods.

Part of it is a state park that was abandoned several years ago after a really bad flood.

There are no funds to restore the park, and it was even mentioned one time of being put up for auction.

Not sure where it stands now, but it remains abandoned except for occasional hikers and dog walkers who don't mind the long walk to get to it.



This is the twelfth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details. 

ABC Wednesday - A is for Abode

This stately, rambling abode was built in the 1700's in Portsmouth, NH during the colonial years.

It is the Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion and it sits on a peninsula in Little Harbor.

It's a most beautiful spot on the ocean with views of the harbor and islands around it.

This abode has 40 rooms and was home to NH's first royal governor, Benning Wentworth.

In the early 1900's, John Coolidge purchased the 65 acre property and restored the neglected house and grounds to it's original colonial beauty.

When his wife passed away in 1954, the lands and home were donated to the state, and it is now maintained as a historical property and is open for tours to the public.

When I first visited this house during a field trip in grammar school, I loved the grounds and the views.

The inside wasn't open on the day I visited it a couple of years ago, but the outside and surrounding lands were just as lovely as I remembered it from that childhood trip.






This is the twelfth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details. 

ABC Wednesday - C is for Cannon

ABC Wednesday - C is for Cannon

This cannon sits at an old fort that is at the entrance to the harbor in Kittery Maine.


It is located at Fort McClary, which was built back in 1715.


This old beast of a weapon now sits behind a grassy bank, no longer aiming down the river it once protected.


The front of it has been filled with  concrete - perhaps to keep out the youngsters small enough to crawl inside it .


This cannon is quite large and very heavy - I wouldn't have wanted to be the one to set it off in time of war - it must have had one heck of a kick-back!

This is the eleventh round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

ABC Wednesday - Z is for Zone

Z is for Zone..........




 

This construction zone has been this way now for over two years.


There used to be a walkway beside the ocean that went under these two bridges.


My boys have spent much time in the past fishing from this spot.


Of course, it is barely recognizable now.


The walkway is blocked off, as one can see by these signs - it is only accessible to the construction crew.


It will be interesting to see how this whole project turns out .


Hopefully it will still be available for walking and fishing when it is someday complete.

 

This is the tenth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

ABC Wednesday - V is for Viewer

V is for Viewer..........




 

These viewers can be found at many of the panoramic view sites across our state.

From the mountains to the seacoast, one will find these metal "binoculars" which allows the user to get a closer look at distant scenes as they move and pan the viewer around on the post.

But one cannot just walk up to one and begin using it.

They cost money.

Not sure how long they run once the money is inserted - I have never used one.

I usually have my camera with me, and I am sure my lenses give me a better look than that contraption can deliver!

 

This is the tenth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

ABC Wednesday - P is for Pier

P is for Pier..........




 

So very long is this old wood pier at the ocean.

The wood has been weathered by the rain, sun, and salt air.

Every so often you feel a soft, rotting plank as you walk along.

And here and there you will find one missing.

The park people work on it a couple times a year to replace the rotting and missing planks, but that is not what worries me the most.

It's all those supporting beams underneath that have me concerned.

They are old, the water is very deep, and I don't believe they get any care.

I am glad to see they are thick, but the wiggling gets to me each time I see them moving in the water.

I would think they would ban us from going out on it if it got to be too dangerous.

Until then, I enjoy it and keep a cautious eye on the whole situation.

 

This is the tenth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

ABC Wednesday - I is for Ivy

I is for Ivy..........




 

A new wood fence, and it didn't take long for the ivy to find it's way to it.

This photo was taken last summer.

I am curious to take a ride by it this summer and see how far it has progressed.

That is if the owner allows it to and hasn't chopped it down.

 

This is the tenth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

ABC Wednesday - Z is for Zone

Z is for Zone..........




 

This construction zone has been this way for over a year now.

This bridge spans the Great Bay between Dover Point and Newington.

The bridge in the fore ground is the "new" one that has been in service for about 25 years.

The green one behind it is the old one that was banned to all traffic once the new one was opened.

It will be used for foot traffic once it is made safe.

FYI - when Google maps was made - they didn't include this bridge in their map configurations.

They would send travelers from Dover all the way around the bay, through Maine, then up along the other side of the bay to get them to Newington.

It made national news when this was discovered - we all had a good chuckle over that little oversight.

It was a good thirty mile plus trip around for those who weren't familiar with the area for what is just a quick drive over a bridge.

 

This is the ninth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Outlet Under the Dam

Under the Dam




 

Any other year at this time, this scene would not be possible.

There would be so much snow.

And the cold would have the water froze up solid.

But not this year yet.

The lake isn't frozen, and the water is still drizzling out the side outlet of the dam.

It has been a strange winter to be sure.

 

Pile of Leaves

Pile of Leaves




 

Mother Nature sure made someone's job pretty easy.

She blew all the leaves in the park right up against the fence.

Ready for the leaf vacuumer to come and get them - with little effort on their part.

They are all gathered around a cleat for large boat to tie up to.

I have not seen these cleats used in years, but I remember while growing up they always had a thick rope around them, keeping a large boat in place.

Not much has changed at this place since those days, but I suspect that someday, those boat cleats will be removed and sold for the heavy metal that they are .

.

 

ABC Wednesday - R is for Rust

R is for Rust..........




 

Driving by a large construction site for a bridge over the bay, I saw this pile of pointed metal pipes.

They had been sitting there long enough to get a layer of rust built up on them.

We stopped to grab a quick photo, and ended up talking with one of the workers about the project.

Never did find out what theses are used for, but I thought the coloring was interesting.

 

This is the ninth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

ABC Wednesday - Q is for Quest

Q is for Quest..........




 

We are going to my most favorite place to be - the Ocean.

And you had better believe I will be on a quest.

A quest to fill the memory card in my camera will lots of photos.

And my husband will also be on a quest.

The bait is extra smelly and ready to be used on the fishing pole.

Hopefully he will catch the "big one" and I will have the photo to prove it!

 

This is the ninth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Portland Head Light

  Portland Head Light 



  Sharing a photo from the past today - the Portland Head Light in Portland, Maine. We are still without power from Hurricane Irene, so this post is a quick one. My husband, when he was a young man, stood on the rocks overlooking this light house during a big storm. It sits pretty high up on that rocky cliff, but he saw the waves going over the top of it. Mother Nature is surely powerful and amazing! 

Breaker in the Harbor

Breaker in the Harbor

Rye Harbor has the reputation of being the seacoast town that is hardest hit when bad weather comes to NH's small coastline.

Even though it is protected by this breaker wall - one on either side of the harbor, all the boats are being taken in from the docks and the moorings.

There are times, not during a hurricane, I have seen waves flying over the top of this wall.

I can just image what it will look like this weekend when Hurricane Irene comes calling.

We are well inland - an hour away from the coast, but the eye is expected to pass even further west then us.

We are preparing the best we can, and hoping that all in her path remain safe.

There hasn't been anything like this in our area since 1938.

Keeping positive as we await her visit.

The Sentry Room - My World

  The Sentry Room - My World



  I could hear the ghosts as we passed by. The damp cool air coming from that dark place made the hair rise on our arms. As the sign states, it was built and used in the year 1808. It is part of the old fort system that runs along the New England seacoast of the US. We didn't go in even though the barred door was open - beckoning all who dared. I just left those ghosts to themselves.  

New Castle Lighthouse - My World

  New Castle Lighthouse - My World



  It was a very gray day the last time we visited the ocean in the spring. And from what the weatherman is saying, it will be this time we go too. I don't  mind the gray as long is there is no rain. It just doesn't go with the camera equipment, and I am so itching to use my new camera at the ocean. My fingers are crossed it holds off until the afternoon. Wish me luck! 

ABC Wednesday - A is for Anchor

  

A is for Anchor...........




We are now beginning our 9th round of the ABC Wednesday meme. Founded by Mrs Nesbitt several years ago, it has been quite popular and most enjoyed by all the participants.  A big thank you to her and the team for keeping it together for us all! On to the letter A....... It's very large and the rust has taken on a life of it's own, but this anchor draws much attention as the center piece at a learning center beside the ocean. Much of it has flaked away, and in spite of it's once great strength, it has become fragile as it spends it's final years on land beside the water. A piece of history, for sure, and if it could talk, I bet it would have some great adventures to tell.   



This is the ninth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Gate Blocking the Field - My World

  Gate Blocking the Field - My World



  Last week I showed an image of a path that lead to a field. This week's post is the entrance to that field. That pretty path of last week is way over on the left of this field - too far to see in this photo. The farmer is the one who holds the key to this gate so he can get in with his tractor. All that crushed stone was added in the last year. Before it was there, the mud was ankle deep all year round as there is a little stream that runs right across that entrance.