Well so much for those "finishing touches on the attachment between the tractor and the van". I moved the combo about 30 yards down the drive and off onto the meadow. I was almost in the position I had planned on parking when I heard a crunch and the tractor separated from the van. I backed the van up until it was up against the tractor and spent some time fixing where stuff had shifted, mainly replacing half a dozen zip ties that held the tarp in place. I think it's pretty secure, but it isn't going anywhere until I reinforce and reattach the tractor to the trailer hitch. (plus there is a split forming in the 2"X4" that you might be able to see right above the little red rooster at the end of the feed trough)
Oh, and because the tractor isn't sitting perfectly level, the tractor door is a bit torqued, and I need to mess with the corners so that they don't either stick or sag.
I had chosen to wait to move the birds to their camp-site until after it was in place, rather than loading them into the van and driving it down, so I then had to make 5 more trips back to the garage and carry them in a dog crate, 6-8 at a time and place them in the tractor. I'm trying not to get too attached, but I had to spend time each trip watching them explore and check out their surroundings.
22 in place, 13 to go.
All in all, it isn't a bad place to be a chicken! I know folks who would drive half way across the country for such a nice camping spot!
We'll see how the transfer into the back of the van goes this evening.
Till then, help me pick a name. "Meals on Wheels", "The Freedom Ranger", "Hennebago" ? Other thoughts?
I really like Meals on Wheels and The Hennebago.... Funny names
