Harvesting the hive was such an awesome experience. We decided to go ahead and see what we could get out of 3 bars that had become entangled with comb instead of 3 straight ones. We wanted to do this mostly so that we could place them back in and keep a regular check on them to keep them building the comb on single bars instead of spanning across 2 or more bars. The yield was 2 quarts this time. I’m excited to do it again, and hopefully this time we’ll get to see what a single full bar will yield by itself.
I’ve really got to do some reading to make sure that this isn’t a no-no right now, but my curiosity has gotten to me over the past week, and I just had to see how things are going inside the hive. Mostly because I was wanting to make sure that the beveled part on the bars were working as they are intended to, and to see if they are spaced properly to keep each comb separate.
We only pulled this one out to see, but as perfect as it looks, we’re going to assume that the others look just as nice. It’s nice to see the product of all of the fill-ups of the feeder so far, until they get to where they no longer require it.
Last Spring, Chase and I ran across some plans for a top-bar beehive. Coincidentally, along that same time, we learned that our Dad’s first cousin has been a beekeeper for a long while. We built a hive a little late last year to order some bees in time for them to produce any honey without having to keep them all winter with no returns. So Dad ordered a hive of bees that came in Thursday or Friday, and were put into their new home on Saturday with the help of my Dad’s cousin.
Just as we have read, the bees really won’t bother you if you don’t show signs of aggression towards them. Sort of how our Foreign Policy was meant to be, ha! The number of bees is amazing. As well as how quickly they start tending to business.
I’m sure I’ll post updates along the way, along with photos of the honey when it comes time and the top-bar hive.
If you’re in the Cloudland Canyon area of Walker County and enjoy hiking, I’d recommend checking out the Cloudland Connector Trail. It’s located off of Ascalon Rd (between Hwy 157 & Hwy 189) near the Dade/Walker County line. It crosses over Hwy 157 and currently ends on Nick-a-jack Rd. From what I understand, it’s intention is to connect the Chattanooga area to Cloudland Canyon Start Park once it’s finished. The short piece that we walked was beautiful and very well laid out. I’m hoping to get back over there soon and check out every bit of what’s been finished.
Walking bridge & horse crossing on the Cloudland Connector Trail
As a last push effort before Super Tuesday to help get Ron Paul’s name out there to the locals, and get as many people that may just see the name on the ballot on Tuesday and vote for him from seeing some guys waving signs at a busy intersection, I took part in R3VOLUTION Day today.
R3VOLUTION Day is:
- Grab your Ron Paul gear and wear it with PRIDE!!! Hats, shirts, buttons, whatever!
- Commit to sign wave for Ron Paul for at least 1 hour in your hometown.
- Let’s prove once and for all that Ron Paul has a huge support base and we are willing to work for it!
People generally vote based on name recognition. Let’s make sure EVERYONE recognizes THIS name by Super Tuesday!
I really didn’t know what to expect at first, the reactions or whatnot, but I’m telling you, as soon as people start honking and waving, giving you thumbs-up, you really do start to have a good time. We got countless positive reactions, and probably just a couple of people giving us the finger—telling on themselves obviously for who they voted for in ’08. One lady wanted to have an argument/discussion on giving Obama more time to fix the problems with the country. Naturally, she was close-minded and wouldn’t even listen to the fact that Ron Paul wants to CUT spending, not increase it.
KC (aka Morris) wanted to join me for a quick photo today. He’s enjoying the day inside since it’s so cold out today.
I’m not sure that the weather could have been much better for a day of field work at the end of January. Chase and I GPS’d the trail system in Elsie A. Holmes Nature Park just outside of Ringgold, GA. They’ve created a really nice system of trails for a nice walk that takes you down alongside the South Chickamauga Creek, and has a super nice parking area with bathrooms and a pavilion.
South Chickamauga Creek
Notice no hair gel. It’s surprisingly strange to get used to, but makes getting ready for work a little bit faster. Although I do prefer it much more styled, so this will be short lived.
There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.
— , The History of a Crime
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