Today was a long day working at the ranch.  We went out there a day or two ago, and three trees were across the road.  It was late in the day, and we didn’t have tools with us, so we downed the utility trailer, backed out to where we could turn around, backed in to pick up the trailer, and drove back to the house.

Today we went out early enough with tools to assist us, and we cleared through two of the trees.  At the third tree, we had to get out the chain saw.   Uniquely, though, the downed limb (most of the tree) was hanging by vines.  These are vines six inches in diameter.  We have some vines at the ranch.  We never were able to get the whole thing down, but we were able to cut it back to a level we could drive under.

For the moment, we have access through the key areas of our property.  Who knows what we’ll find next trip out.  Hubby and I each managed to find a spotted tick on us, but we think we got them before they did any damage.  Hubby found his out there; I found mine in the shower after we got home.  Stuck to the back of my neck — fortunately, its head came out when I removed it.  As for trees, the road seems to draw them like a magnet.

At least we had a cool breeze and were working in the woods most of the day.  The dogs didn’t even run far.  They hung out and supervised our work.

Feel like checking yourself for ticks now?  What creepy crawly things!