Tag: John Deere Gator

  • Griffin & Gator

    Griffin & Gator

    Thirteen years ago, on November 14, 2010, I snapped a few blurry Blackberry photographs (remember those?) of Susan and our Labrador retriever, Griffin. The snapshots were taken beyond the barns, looking west over the meadows we were recovering after decades forgotten, feral, and overgrown. Griffin thoroughly enjoyed jumping into the small bed for a cruise…

  • Simply Messing About in Boats

    Simply Messing About in Boats

    It’s been a day. A week. A month. What’s the word I’m looking for? The feeling I’m trying to summon?The antonym of a humdinger. Maybe the upside down reciprocal of a ripsnorter… Good moments and even some good days have peppered the perpetual purgatory, but it’s been a test. A looong test. And this day,…

  • Icehouse Stairway Update

    Icehouse Stairway Update

    Spoiler Alert: the icehouse stairway is not 100% complete. Yet. But it will be. Soon. I hope! There’s still an itty-bitty electrical wrapup (finishing up the riser lighting installation), but the main hurdle — one that’s been delayed again and again since winter — is the banister. Handrails and balusters. Everything’s been fabricated for a…

  • John Deere Truckling Rehomed (and Renamed!)

    John Deere Truckling Rehomed (and Renamed!)

    Truckling’s New Owners, Lee and Heather Maxey (Photo: R.P. Murphy) We told you last week that we’d decided it was time to “rehome” our John Deere “truckling”, and yesterday the handoff was made to Essex neighbors, Heather and Lee Maxey. Congratulations, and thank you! The truckling (actually a John Deere AMT 626) has been a reliable workhorse…

  • Re-Homing John Deere AMT 626

    Re-Homing John Deere AMT 626

    Do you need a utility vehicle for your property? We’re hoping to “re-home” our John Deere AMT 626 John Deere “truckling”. Are you a good match? While our AMT 626 has been a reliable workhorse since, well, since forever (1990-ish, maybe?!?!) it’s old enough that we’re not feeling like a sale is the right option.…

  • John Deere Gator: Three Generations

    John Deere Gator: Three Generations

    With 70+acres to maintain at Rosslyn, ADK Oasis “Highlawn”, and ADK Oasis “Lakeside”, the John Deere Gator is an omnipresent and much depended upon utility vehicle for us. Whether hauling compost or pulling the wood splitter or chipper; moving fire pits or transporting waterskis, windsurfers, paddle boards, wetsuits and life jackets back-and-forth, to-and-from the boathouse;…

  • 1882 Harper’s Weekly: Children’s Excursion to Lake Champlain

    1882 Harper’s Weekly: Children’s Excursion to Lake Champlain

    When I stumble upon artifacts specific to Rosslyn or Essex or Lake Champlain or the Adirondacks I’m usually unable to resist collecting and showcasing them for others to enjoy. Often I can explain precisely why the artifact is of interest, but other times I’m unable to explain clearly, succinctly the appeal. Today’s discovery is fated…

  • Midwinter Gator Service

    Midwinter Gator Service

    I mentioned the other day that frosty, persistent midwinter is the perfect time to get Rosslyn’s lawn and field equipment serviced so that it’s ready for prime time once the snow retreats and the dandelions bloom. A few days before the tractor was picked up, the folks at Mountain View Equipment (formerly Giroux Brothers) retrieved the…

  • Midwinter Tractor Service

    Ten below zero without wind chill and Babe – our cooold blue tractor – needed to be warmed up with a kerosene heater under a tarp “tent” in the carriage barn before it would start. (Note to self: Next time, remember to plug the tractor in over night…) Then off to Peru Tractor Center for windwinter tractor…

  • Orchard Update: Apricots & Peaches

    An early and mostly temperate spring has given us a jump start in Rosslyn’s gardens and meadows. The new orchard behind the carriage barn, already planted with plum trees and pear trees, has almost doubled in size over the last couple of weeks with the addition of apricots and peaches. Doug Decker, our carpenter-turned-jack-of-all-trades-handyman who…