Double B Ranch - Dipping Pool Deck and other stuff (part 1)

I won't go into the pros and cons, but I got a new optic for my deer rifle.
It's digital, and records pictures and video.
Here's a nice looking 9 point buck that I did not shoot.

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO OF THE 9 POINT BUCK

This was neat - I noticed Google Earth updated their satellite images.
You can see the ranch house with my new back porch cover.
To the right of the house is the small square roof of the pump house with temporary water trough.
And you can't miss the bright blue dipping pool - looks like I just started on the deck.
North of the dipping pool is the barn, and just north of that are the remains of the old sheep barn

In the first week of February, we had a hard freeze.

I wanted to be there during this freeze to make sure I didn't suffer the damage like the last,

I had to break the ice in the temporary trough so the animals could get water.

Looks like the tarp held up

It really is pretty when it snows.

As the snow melts, the deer graze on exposed grass.

One more picture of the snow before we get back to work....

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO OF A BUNCH OF DOE APPROACHING THE FEEDER

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE VIDEO OF THOSE DOE

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO OF ME EXPLAINING HOW SOMETIMES THINGS BREAK

Getting her to help is one thing, asking to take her picture while she does was just too much
This is in mid-April.

At this time (mid-April 2022) I was working with the Kimble County Museum to get the house designated as a Texas Historical Landmark.
And it has been! We were approved, but don't expect the actual marker until late 2023
Anyway, I took a lot of pictures of the house...thought this was a good one to share.

What is that?
It's WATER filling up the dipping pool~!~!
Over the last weekend of April I installed the float valve, and started to fill the pool.

It was a slow process.
The well pump can only suck out so much water before it goes dry and shuts off.
I didn't want to burn up my pump, so I set a timer and let it run for about 10 minutes, then shut off for about 45.
Rinse and repeat over a long weekend, and eventually it was full.

Now that the cistern has water, the watering trough fills again.

....yeah, it was a slow process.

This may have been one of the last times I climbed a ladder to fill a deer feeder.

This isn't his permanent home, but this is my first buck.

The water level is almost to the float valve.

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO OF FILLING THE CISTERN

That's about 200 pounds of feed that has spilled out that broken feeder.
There's always something that needs fixing at the ranch.

Yeah, that's broke.

IT'S FULL!!
...well, I end up adjusting the ball valve so the water line is a bit higher - but for now, it's FULL!!

Ta Da!!
Now I need to install the pool filter.

Towards the end of May 2022, I worked on the pool pump/filter.
I'd already build the little concrete pad for the pump, so this weekend I hooked everything up.
I first had to connect the pump intake to the cistern drain.

I didn't have the parts I needed, so the pump outflow is temporary.

But it works!

OK - it's time to start working on the deck!

Trying to get everything straight and level was the hardest part, especially working alone.

In the 2nd weekend in June 2022, I started on the first 'triangle' section of the deck.

I'M IN~!~!
WoooooooooHooooo!!!
The water is COLD

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO OF MY VERY FIRST SWIM IN THE DIPPING POOL

Once I had a structure that was stable, it was easier to add more.

Things are starting to take shape now...

Yeah, it was HOT working in the sun.

But I have a DIPPING POOL that I can cool off in anytime!

Mr. Shark helps keep the chlorine level up
...and you can see how the water line has been raised up a bit

Rest assured, I beefed up these interior supports beyond what you see here.

It's now the 3rd weekend in June 2022, and we are ready for some deck boards.

My first dipping pool party!
Bill, Ilonka, Jacqui and Nana cool off in the pool.

BTW - I must give all of the credit for the dipping pool idea to my brother.

Great idea Bro!!

Chemical levels look great!

The last weekend in June through July 4th, 2022 - and the water is crystal clear.
The pump is programmed to run a couple hours every day.

Starting to deck the 2nd triangle section

Damn feral hogs...

Allright!
The 2nd section is done.

Jay joined me for a couple days.
He had mild Covid, and I'd just gotten over it - so it was a great way for him to 'quarantine' ...and drink beer in the sun.

Another happy guest in the Double B Ranch Dipping Pool

The bunnies and deer are up early

Section three is ready for deck boards.
But first, Jay and I have to drop off my Polaris at the shop for repairs.

In the middle of July 2022, I was using my truck to haul wood and tools while the Polaris was still in the shop.

I got a lot done this trip - started decking the 3rd section

And of course, I found some time to relax and float in the pool with an adult beverage

...was so nice I stayed out 'till sunset.

Phew....this is hard work...but very rewarding

This was one of the last pictures from mid July, 2022

Jacqui came with me over the last weekend in July
...and she takes a picture of me working on the deck.

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO OF HOW CLOSE THE DEER GET WHEN I'M FILLING THE FEEDERS

Typical.
Jacqui floats in the pool while I'm squished between deck supports

The weekend of August 11, 2022
This is the definition of 'working remotely'.
That's my laptop, and I actually was getting some work done while still making progress on the deck.

The summer of 2022 was a terrible drought.
Spring never 'sprung', and it was a long, dry and hot summer.

It was hard on the deer (and other animals I'm sure).

Well, you made it to the end of this huge update (part 1)
Thanks for stopping by!