Creating a Multipurpose Body of Water.

Having always enjoyed the outdoors, and everything backwood's living has to offer, we didn't blink when this property was put up for sale.
@farm-mom's favorite uncle, Uncle Louie, had just purchased 55 acres right up the road a piece.

We had just purchased a new 1979 Ford Econoline f150 van to travel cross-country in.
It was a special order van that included heavy duty suspension, big motor and heavy duty trans, tinted windows, and air conditioning. The inside of the van was completely unfinished.
Having ordered the vehicle three months prior to our road trip, I was guaranteed that it would be in no later than 6 weeks after placing the order. My intention was to finish the inside of the van in leather, with captain chairs, a bed, carpeting, refrigeration, and a serious sound system. You know, some of the comforts of home.

At the time, farm-mom was pregnant with our 1st son. For this reason I wanted to make sure she would enjoy the ride.

As our departure date neared, I called the dealer on a daily basis to find out what the heck was up. Promises broken, that is par for the course when dealing with a car dealer. Prior to our departure, the new van never arrived.

One way or another we were going on this road trip. When farm-mom's parents learned about our dilemma, they offered us their brand new Vista Cruiser station wagon to use.
After two months on the road, we picked up our van from the dealer.
The rest is history, as we sold our van only a month after arriving back home.
To this day I can remember Uncle Lou's words of wisdom. "You should sell that hunk of steel and buy the property right down the street. In ten years you can either have a hunk of rusting metal or a piece of dirt." The choice was simple.
$90.58 a month for ten years was our payment schedule. At that point in our lives, ten years felt like an eternity. Not so much any more.

Our final payment was made on February 23, 1990.

The Abstract of Title includes this page.
Some very strange units of measurement can be seen in the lines that have been highlighted in this picture.

At the time I had no idea what a Link, Chain, or Rod was.
It's funny how land was sold back in the day. Most large pieces are listed as + or - the acreage listed for sale. Simply put, that means you may get more land then expected, or less.
Needless to say, we had this little piece of heaven surveyed before purchasing. Wow, we shocked to learn that the 10 acres finished on the +++++++++++++ side.

Just a Little info.

• 1 link = .66 feet, or about 8 inches
• 1 rod = 16.5 feet
• 1 chain = 66 feet

go figure

One of the first things we did was construct our pond. We dug it even before building our home.
Having property without a body of water was not an option.
Prior to purchasing the property, we got in touch with the local guy who had dug Uncle Lou's pond.
Knowing very little about building a pond and where it would be possible to dig one, I was at his mercy.
After walking in the woods for less than 15 minutes, he had located the perfect spot.
He pointed out two two natural springs that were hidden by the tall grass. The springs were smack in the middle of very large wet area. He also pointed out where the surface run-off had eroded the ground adjacent to the springs.

This gentleman was the answer.

The area shown in this next picture is similar to the topography of the area where we dug our 1st pond.
This piece of our property is about 400 yards up hill of the existing pond. In the near future our plans are to create another storage area for FRESH WATER. At the rate at which all bodies of water are succumbing to pollution, potable water will be at a premium. One can never have enough FRESH WATER.✔✔✔

Besides the responsibility I feel for providing a safety net for our water supply, this little depression in earth's surface has provided us with so much more.

We talk about @naturalmedicine, and its healing qualities. I know of no other place where my mind empties its baggage so swiftly, and tranquility sets in as though I have been put into a hypnotic state. What a natural medicine for the mind.

It is a place where both nature and man can reflect, while joining in harmony.💕

This little depression in God's Earth, provides life sustaining liquid to all living forms.

This spec of fresh water gives us joy, and a place to gather around.

It parcels out opportunities to develop hobbies.

Pleasures that can be fostered.

Hobbies that can be carried with us along life's journey.

New opportunities to learn and experience first hand the beauty of nature, are there for the taking

Gathered water gives us the environment to play, while strengthening relationships.

Collecting this precious resource as it meanders over the surface of our planet has been a goal of mankind for some time now.
Lets hope it doesn't become a necessity, on an individual basis, to collect water, as less and less water becomes unfit for man's existence.

Being prepared for the worst is always a good thing. But if it never comes to that, a reservoir of H2O can play many other rolls.