Hauling Water

Today was one of those 6 hour water treks that I referred to in my post from yesterday. 

Dubs, Roy and I went to check out a new artesian well today, in our never-ending quest for water.  The good news: we found a well, about 28 miles from the ranch, that will be easily accessible in the snowy months ahead.  The well that we have been previously hauling from is in Paradise Acres, about 3 miles from La Veta Pass (9,400'), and is quite remote and difficult to access.  The bad news: we didn't have the necessary equipment, (I.e. a water pump), to fill up our IBC totes, so we hand-filled and carried 7 gallon water containers repeatedly until we had 375 gallons in our various tanks.  Filling and moving 53 seven gallon containers of water is exhausting and taxing.  Fortunately, all I had to do was fill the containers from the well and stack them repetitively on the bank until we reached 53.  Dubs and Roy did the real work, lifting the jugs into Black Betty and pouring them into the IBC tank.  Who knew that 7 gallons of water weighs about 60 pounds?  My rotator cuff is not happy right now.

At any rate, since this is going to be our primary watering hole, at least for the winter, we will come prepared next time, with PVC attachments pumps, hoses, etc.  A basic water pump runs around $150, and can fill a 300 gallon container in about 20 minutes....much better than hand carrying water in the darkness, to the tune of 53  containers. 

Slowly but surely we are gaining a foothold in this pioneer life.  We have electricity through our solar panels,  heat through our Propane Tank Wood Stove, and a constant supply of water from a year-round artesian well.  Life is good.

Promise to post more tomorrow.  Like I said, today was a 6 hour water collection ordeal, and definitely a learning experience.  We learn as we go, and aren't afraid of the future.

Until later,

Horsey dreams and Chardonnay kisses

P.S.  The wood stove has the temp inside the trailer at 92°.  Cozy city!!!