Fencing for Fun

Priests' vacations are spent in all sorts of ways. Some climb Devil's Tower, others camp and fish on the Powder River, and still others spend a week building fence in Worland. To each his own. However it's done, the goal of a vacation is to renew us in mission. 

I chose to build fence in Worland. Grandpa built this fence going up the lane some 50 years ago. She has held strong, but now the posts are starting to rot off. What to do? Rebuild it in place or move it down to the edge of the field. We opted for the relocate. 

First order of business was to put the post pounder on the front of the 4230.

Then we pound in some 2 7/8" around the pivot pad and welded continuous fence panels on them. Thus, segregating the pivot point from the pasture, while allowing free access to the control panel and valve from the road. 

Before we really went to town, we called in a line locate. I joke about safety first, but hitting this 2" gas line is the last thing I want to do. 

Once we knew we were in the clear, we went to digging some post holes with the 4010. 

This'll be the new entry gate into the field. So we set it tall and wide with some Campbell County 4 1/2" drill stem. 

Then used Uncle Chris' 4440 to set the horizontal. As Dad always says, alls well that ends well.

Before Grandpa broke this ground out, the original road that went up the hill went right through the field and up this approach. Kind of cool to bring it back full circle. 

Once all the brace posts were set, we went to pounding posts. These 6' bad boys were made in the USA!

In honor of that fact, I pounded in 62 of them on the anniversary of our nation's independence. God bless America! To keep them straight, I always stretch a wire from brace post to brace post. A fence like this against the lane, I take a level and make sure they are standing tall and proud. Four paces in between posts. Should work. 

No new wire around here. We used the original woven wire and barbwire off the old fence.

And moved them down to the new location. I like to put the fencing on the side of the posts where the pressure is going to be. 

To stretch the woven wire, we hooked up White Horse's winch and sucked it tight.

Hank showed up to help me clip it up. 

Then we turned to the north section, from the gate to the pivot point. 

Woven wire and three stands of barb. Should work.

For the final touch, we pulled out the old posts. 

Done. Our Blessed Mother seems to approve. Hopefully Mom does too. 

Good stuff. I don't know if I've ever exuded as much sweat as I have on this ranch. Everything we do is physically tough and usually compounded by heat. I love it, though. Working hard fuels my soul. Being able to see the fruits of your labor stokes the fire of creativity in a man's mind. Though my body is sore, my heart is renewed to continue to build up the Kingdom of God in Johnson County. 24/8