Winter has arrived here. We don't have much snow, but it came as sleet and slowly froze, leaving crusty ice and slush on the roads. There's an inch or three across the yard, it's 10° below zero, and there's a bitter cold wind. Outside you can hear ice on the shrubs crackling in the wind.
I caught the first snowplow of the year as it went by this morning. They're good at taking care of the winter roads around here.
And the back yard looked pretty white, even though it's not deep. I'm not expecting it to last long, but I think the cold temperatures are here to stay after Friday's 20°C!
****
What I really wanted to write about tonight was a big old barn down the road. The house and barn seem to have been unused for about 3 years though, and I was beginning to wonder about its future. Two weeks ago I noticed they were working on the barn and building new fences, so I dropped in and spoke to the new owner, and asked permission to take a few pictures.
This picture was taken in 2015, while the barn and farm was sitting idle. As you can see, it's a very large barn compared to other older barns around here, perhaps double the usual size.
This time I noticed that the one end of the lower floor had been knocked open. I was afraid they were going to start tearing it down, so I came back with my camera a day or two later.
It turns out the farm did sit unused for about 3 years, and a new farmer has purchased it. They are planning to repair the barn, and graze cattle on the farm. I was encourage to hear an older barn would be fixed up to use.
It really is a huge old barn!
Inside the lower floor they've brought in a small bulldozer, knocked out the south wall, and lowered the floor. I expect they're going to pour a new concrete floor here, and who knows what other changes they'll make.
The posts they put up in the meantime looked a little flimsy to me, but it's a barn crew who are working on it, so I presume they know what they're doing.
I plan to go back and see what gets done, and then I'll report back on it. I've seen cattle in the fields already, so I'll try to get pictures of them too. But the grazing won't be too good now that we have snow!
I look forward to finding out how the barn will be finished. Very interesting project. I think those posts look awfully flimsy, too. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat old barn. It will be interesting to see its transformation!
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing they are temporary posts with something more permanent going in when they put in a new floor base. Raining like crazy here in Arizona but that's Okay because it's not snow and it's not 10 below zero.......:))
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see a barn move into a new life.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see a barn move into a new life.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beauty - it's always good to see these old barns brought back to life!!
ReplyDeleteYour snow is so pretty, we didn't get any but it is cold and very windy!!
The concrete floor would help make the use for cattle better. I bet they will do new footings for post to make the barn more sturdy I our state the counties tax an empty barn, royally, as well as other farm buildings so if the farmstead is gone the barn has to go too. We have lost a large percentage of them for sure. It is a strong looking barn and large to hold lots of loose hay. Today many bales of hay could be store in it too.
ReplyDeleteWe used to get snow in November but this year it doesn't seem like it will happen - again. I'm not into deep snow, but a little bit is fun for me. I grew up in Los Angeles, no snow there for sure. - Margy
ReplyDeleteThat is one big beautiful barn! Well you got winter too, it was bound to happen. The ice we could all do with out:)
ReplyDeleteOH, I love when people take the time to fix a barn up before it falls down. It is a beauty. B
ReplyDeleteWonderful! - it will have a new life!
ReplyDeleteWonderful news!
ReplyDeleteThe barn has a lot of character.
ReplyDeleteLove all the new snow! Our mountains are supposed to get a good dumping later this week. :) Nice old barn, and I'm glad to hear it won't be torn down.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a miserable ice/snow storm. That barn is really huge and it's good to know that it and the land is going to be used. Those pole really do look rickety! I hope they put up the stone foundation again but somehow doubt it.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos . Oh you got lots of snow and even ice WOW ! We have a dusting down here well we did all gone now and the winds are cold but not as cold as you said it is up there we are only about -1 . I am glad to hear this farm has a future I am always so sad to see these lovely old farms go to waste by siting rotting and withering away or worse being torn down so much beauty and history in these old farms and buildings . Thanks for sharing , Have a good day and stay cozy !
ReplyDeleteLove the old barn, but have to say I'm glad the snow is there and not here in Texas!
ReplyDeleteThose cattle will be hoping they get the barn fixed soon! Please don't send any snow our way for a while.
ReplyDeleteBRRRRRR....that first pictures sends a chill clear to the bone...but the beautiful barn and the news that it is being repaired warms my heart! It is such wonderful barn...I am so, so happy that it is going to be used.
ReplyDeleteLovely snowy scenes and old barn.
ReplyDeleteI always think snow scenes look so nice ... when looking at them in the warmth of your living room and on your computer! LOL!
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Beautiful snowy scenes. Yes winter has surely arrived by you.
ReplyDelete