PIT (Purposeful/Intentional/Teamwork)
The Pit - consists of a 3 acre parcel, surrounded by farmland in the driftless Midwest, where we restore, grow in sustainability and land exploration, with no electricity or running water.
Restore/Respect/Preserve
Every year we identify goals to keep our family accountable.
2024
Finally, we have a finished ceiling as of the June 1st! No matter how hard we tried, our efforts to finish the ceiling ourselves were not successful. We lacked the equipment and/or expertise for this crucial step. Because we have no electricity, vents that can be opened in summer and closed in winter, were added. It looks and feels amazing to not have the insulation exposed. It makes it more homey.
The beginning of summer saw lots of heavy rains but August and more than half of Sept. had me desperate for rain as we planted new trees during this time. Every season is different.
The curly willow trees we planted in 2017!
Small harvest of Blackberries but very appreciated
We have been thrilled with all of the rain we have received in the last month but this also means that the grasses around the trees were taking over. We spent some meaningful time cleaning around the trees, finally. The willows were confusing the crowdedness with soil and started to sprout roots on the base of the trunk.
2023
This is the first year, partly due to the lack of rain this summer, that we can come to the PIT and rest. Even with a lack of free time overall, we find small pockets of time and visit. We also bring water for the trees and critters. The trees planted in 2017-2018 are providing much needed privacy from the road. They also mask traffic noise as the neighborhood has grown. Wildlife is enjoying the shade from the shrubs as well. Planting has also regenerated what little soil was left mixed with shale. It has been challenging for the roots to take hold, but they have persevered.
2022
2022 - This summer was very dry and we did not get consistent rains until August. The trees we planted in 2017/18 are finally thriving and are filling out surprisingly well. We had lofty goals to continue cleaning some of the trails but work, travel and summer heat kept us away. We had blackberries in locations previously cleared which made us very happy. We also track the wildlife visits using spypoint cameras and relish their adventures from afar.
2021 - This summer we decided that it’s time to sit back and enjoy some of our progress. While our goal is to continue learning from the land and its many critters, we began improving trails, cleaning up debris and perilous build up from fallen trees. Pollinators are active and enjoying all the berry bushes. The trees we planted in 2016-2018 have grown well and are offering much needed shade. We see beautiful and awe-inspiring animals and want to ensure that it is a safe environment for the humans as well. The long view for us is that we don’t want to interfere and change the landscape but maintenance is also crucial.
2020 - Steps were added to the front of the cabin finally! We also learned about carpenter ants and their destructive force if left unaddressed, finished wall paneling install and worked on transforming the loft area into livable space.
2019 progress…
2016 - Large leftover shale pile
2016 - After the shale was spread
“It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it...So get out there...explore the forests...breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, the lovely, mysterious and awesome space...I promise you this one sweet victory...over those desk-bound men and women with their hearts in a safe deposit box, and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this; You will outlive the bastards.”
2018
2018 was a banner, challenging year for our family, but nature was our constant refuge and we dedicated as much time as we could to the PIT. It made us more resilient than we could have expected. It was very satisfying to have limited cell service and shelter, as the last two year we used a beach umbrella to protect ourselves from the elements, when we visited.
2018
Having completed the first stage of our project by building steps instead of a road, we are now working on the trail, removing dangerous cattle fencing and cutting overgrown, thorny bushes (wearing proper gear).
Nature - patience's best teacher
2016 was all about brush cleanup. We have learned a great deal about patience from our work and the climate. Without shelter we were limited in the amount of work we could complete at one time as well as the tools we could employ. Having a budget was helpful.
Our first time installing a ladder stand. Perhaps wearing sandals and red pants in the woods was not my best fashion move (2016).
A decade ago, In the downtown area where I reside, I began to care for garden spaces around a big parking lot. At the time there were 2 gardens, each with a caretaker. Three summers ago I took over the care of the second garden as well and began removing some of the grasses that were depleting the soil of nutrients and taking over. I replaced them with pollinator loving plants that provide food all summer long. It will be a number of years before the complete transformation occurs.
It is completely a volunteer operation. My partner helps with debris removal and other tasks that require machinery and/or driving. About five years ago I also started removing weeds from nearby areas. My goal is always to improve spaces and leave them better than I found them, even if no one acknowledges the work that is being done.
The last week of May 2024 was an active weeding week. I visited the sites four times in the evening, after work and managed to leave it in top shape for the Circus Parade weekend coming up. On the last day I had extra family help and sweeping was finally completed.
