Billy the Morgan versus excavators (800x450)

You have to wonder what is going through the mind of our Morgan gelding, Billy, as he meets these Deere and CAT excavators. This is our east pasture.

The City of Fort Collins is about two-thirds complete on its project to rebuild the bank of the Poudre River on our historic farm’s northeast border. The river undercut the existing rip-rap in previous floods and experts feared water was cutting its way underground, under the bike trail, under the edge of our 19.5-acre property, and under the corner of the next-door Pateros Creek Homes property owned by city councilman and developer, Gino Campana. Workers told us a couple of days ago that they hope to finish this project by the end of April before spring melt turns the river, now diverted north away from the bank, into a beast.

Meanwhile, out on our west frontage of N. Shields St., the city just finished installing a new sewer line as well as adding sewer and water “stubs” to properties in the lines’ path on N. Shields St. The Poudre River bridge is down and in a state of rebuild. Next comes the widening of N. Shields St. to include sidewalks and bike trails on either side as well as a center turn lane. Civilization has arrived, and northwest Fort Collins is a hotbed of activity. Check out our video of the last 19 seconds before the Poudre River bridge went down.

The city will reseed our east pasture so that we can hay it again.

Our east pasture during haying season. It will take a few years to get back to this level of growth.

Our east pasture during haying season. It will take a few years to get back to this level of growth.