September 13 - 14, 2016 Kole sees the farm-side of Katie

One of the best things about Covo Hills is sharing it with other people and seeing their reaction the first time they esperience it. It's hard to communicate the vast expanse of land: the verdant hills and valleys, hidden spaces along the creek, acres of corn and hay fields and groves of trees that come with a history of their own; when they were planted and who helped.  That's the way Katie felt when Kole came to Covo.

Dan and Deena were already there when we arrived.

The first task was to transport and install a large beam across the length of the bridge between the two windows. Dan brought it over with the tractor.

It took five people working together to put the beam into place and make sure it's level.

Katie helped raise the first post and cross beam on July 15th. Just two months later, she's here to see the final cross beam raised, but wisely stayed out of the way and let Kole take over.

Dan and Deena left after dinner. We enjoyed a roaring Covo fire, the kind that starts with chairs huddled around the pit and ends with everyone moving back out of the heat.

The next day is all about roofing - adding more framing, and then securing the first pieces of corrugated tin into place.

Fun time at Covo: Target Practice with Guns and Golf. We think Kole liked the farm - he offered to move in and work on the covered bridge.

Just before leaving, we uncovered and tamed the grapevine, like the vineyards do. Can't wait to see it next year.

September 4 - 5, 2016 Covo Winery

Deena was right - the grapes turned a beautiful purple shade. Now that we've uncovered the grapes, we can tend our little vineyard for snacks or who knows, maybe a bottle of Covo wine.


Checking in at the covered bridge: more supports are added and all the windows are framed.

August 26 - 27, 2016 Center Beam Raised

Together Dan and Jeff raise the center posts and cross beam for the covered bridge, as Tim supervises. It's all downhill from here! They also add roof framing that will be covered with recycled tin roofing from the milking barn.

August 20 - 21, 2016 Sally and Debbie's Country Adventure

Debbie and Sally arrived at Covo looking like city gals, but quickly took to the country. There was more of a learning curve for Sally, who claimed this was a weekend of firsts for her.  Debbie channeled her inner youth, remembering when she spent a summer detasseling corn in hometown Kankakee and driving a tractor on her grandpa's farm. 

Debbie

Sally

Jeff had some building tasks planned - mainly to give everyone who visits Covo a feeling of pride when the covered bridge is completed. Plus he really needed our help!

Attaching old barn wood with an impact screwdriver was a breeze for Debbie and Sally.
But we discovered Jeff had another task, which involved some muscle power. He wanted us to help lift and position the first section of roof framing on top of the barn wood beams. The gator aided in the heavy lifting - first we lifted the frame onto the bed, then hoisted it onto the roof.  Debbie was the tallest so she helped Jeff push the piece into place so he could secure all the joints.

We definitely earned our wine and campfire - and slept well after a busy day of activity. The next morning, Jeff instructed the gals on the art of shotgun shooting, using their coffee cups to simulate turkey heads in the distance. Debbie killed a couple turkeys!

               

 We weeded the three pumpkin patches and found a few little ones starting. 

Debbie and Sally helped Jeff install bridge trim and the second roof frame, which he built first thing in the morning as we slept.

Final task of the day - planting a tree by the lodge.