Another great weekend on the ranch. Yes, the temps were definitely up there, hovering around 100, except when massive thunderstorms came rolling through…more on that in a moment.
This weekend was about ‘water’…really finishing up a couple smaller water related things we wanted to get done. We purchased a 65 gal tank that will stay in the trailer to haul water whenever necessary, a 35 gal tank that will stay under the sink area, and some mobile pumping pieces to put it all together.
On the way to the property, we stopped and filled up 100 gallons (not bad for $1.50) of water to be used around the ranch. Our first mission was to have a permanent water tank for our kitchen/sink area. Placing the 35 gal tank there, makes it perfect. Whenever it gets low, we just pump it full again using the 65 gal water tank and mobile pump. The same goes for our compost water. This makes it so much easier than filling 5 gal water jugs each week, at a $1.35 each. doh!
First, the mobile pumping solution. I bought a Stanley mobile work center tool box (probably not the best solution looking back), but it holds the 3 gpm water pump and 12v battery.
On the 65 gal tank we have a garden hose spigot and put a 25′ hose there to draw the water into the pump. Then outgoing we have a 100′ hose to put that water anywhere we want. What we wanted to do with that water first, is make an outdoor shower area, so we did.
We found a great location, in the middle of some junipers and started hacking away with the chainsaw and garden shears. Once we had the area trimmed out, we mounted a 2×4 to a tree, in order to mount our plumbing.
We threw down a pallet, and covered it with a couple fake grass sections.
Then we plumbed 1/2″ galvanized pipe, with a valve, and a 1.5 gpm shower head and off we went. We also brought up some 1/4″ gravel for the surround area because if you have water and dry dirt…then you have mud!
Then we cleared a path, and our zen outdoor shower was complete.
There you have it…we are showering and man does it feel good!!!! Love that shower!
That was it for Saturday’s projects, and then Sunday we did some misc. items…getting ready for the upcoming loft floor. Just like Saturday, another storm rolled in with thunder and lightening, and a little bit of rain.
What did we opt to do to pass this time? A little B&B, beers and backgammon.
Got beat 3 out of 5, but still much fun!!!!! Until next time….loft time starts….NOW!