Rafter Boat, Part 2

Our bonus boat is out of the rafters.  Looks like some sort of a one-person (or maybe one-child) shallow rowing shell, but the ends are very rounded, not like the pointy shells you see racing on the Charles.  There are two foam inserts, presumably to help it float, at either end, and the narrower end seems to have a metal piece.   I did google various permutations of "photos of one man rowing shells with rounded ends", but no apparent matches. 

The sides are coming apart, so I don't think this baby is headed back to the water anytime soon. 

And, just in case you were worried that we wouldn't have a way to get around in all the remaining boats, there's a stash of oars in the lower level rafters, I'm sure there are one or two that will work.



Memorial Day 1968

Names on the back, but none that we recognized from the previous owners/relatives.

Looks like the town band, will probably take this one over to the library archives.

First beaver sighting!

Walking pondside this evening, we got our first glimpse of the
beaver. He spotted us, slapped his tail (aha, confirmation it's a
beaver!), and disappeared.

Found this and a couple other newly chewed trees around the corner...my understanding is they prefer trees less than 6" in diameter, but these maples and oaks must be tasty.

Now, I did this same walk Sunday evening and these trees were intact, so they (he? she?) moves pretty fast.

Just read that a pair of beavers can take down 400 trees a year....I'm hoping they're not all on our property!

Wacky Birdhouse

I know we have some odd birdhouse shaped items in our past, but this one was actually out in the woods.  I don't think any actual birds could fit - the openings are less than an inch wide - so I'm guessing it's just decorative.

Something was sliding around inside when I picked it up, though - could a bat make itself that narrow to get in there? Not sure I'm going to open it up to find out.

Wildlife

In addition to the random manmade items we're finding, there are also lots of natural wonders that promise future discoveries.

This is probably the biggest one.

Now, this is the closest I've ever been to something like this, but it sure looks like a beaver lodge.

The ice on the pond here has just melted, but a quick jaunt over to the Mass Dept of Wildlife site suggests this is just the right place for them - pond is deep enough to get a protective layer of ice, but probably deep enough that there's water under the ice all winter long, giving the beavers underwater access to the branches and bark they store at the bottom of the water.

Based on the many stumps, they like birch.  A lot.

And, a little farther along the path is this:



Either the next lodge or an abandoned base.  Lots of the branches are bleached out, which suggests they've been there a while.

We'll be keeping our eyes open this spring and summer!

Art in the Woods

We had seen this from the path by the pond, and assumed it was part of some rusting car, or machinery

Went up to check it out this afternoon, and it's a very interesting hoop.  Very rough, heavy outside, smooth finish inside. 

Then I noticed this fishline and hook wrapped around the hoop.  Hard to see in the photo, but trust me it's there. 

That's odd, I thought, but maybe it's some fishing rig.  It's less than 100 feet from the water, after all.  Then I looked down at the ground.

In between the blueberry bushes and leaves was what looks like a sea urchin, only all metal.  Really spiky.  An anchor? 

When I picked it up I was impressed by the welding. 

Then I noticed a small hole in one of the spikes.

Aha!

Now that's better.
Not sure if that was its creator's original intent, but I kind of liked it, so there it stays.
Should give the kids something to wonder about as they explore.

Putting green

Just the thing to relax after a hard day hauling boats around.

New view from the entryway

Well, the future entryway. Wall is gone and lots of height & light!

The next random item

When we went for the final inspection, this was lying in the pile of stuff waiting for the dumpster (the fourth dumpster) to return. So I suppose it's technically not something that was left behind, but something we actually wanted to keep.

The digger has arrived!

Stakes are here, machine is here.

Unfortunately, no driver.

However, Mairead has generously volunteered to drive and dig.

Bonus Boat in the Rafters

The boat that was under the snow

The three boats we knew about

Kennedy Pond / Hayward Mill Pond

From the Town of Concord's website:
Since George Hayward’s 1655-56 dam, many dams have been built on Second Division Brook, the current dam forming Hayward (or Kennedy) Pond. The water has been used for a grist mill, saw mill, graphite-grinding shop, ice production, and recreation.

Bukiharia

From the Massachusetts Historical Society: 'Bukiharia', Finnish for 'Top of the Hill', the Maynard Finnish Temperance Society Hall and Dance Hall, was built in 1924-25.

Any Finnish speakers who can verify this translation?