Mama, Vivi, Brigette, Marjorie, and I drove down Sunday to spend a few days with Grandpa and JeeJee.

Monday, Grandpa called and asked Mama if any of us girls wanted to go with him to the farm to look at a logging operation at the Carlton’s Hole tract. I quickly volunteered. The feature photo above shows me posing in what I hope will be my first car. We had a blast and I had a chance to try a number of activities I had never before experienced, as the photos and commentary below attest.

We enjoyed a delicious breakfast-to-go from the Saltlick Sausage Company and drove to meet Mr. Jeff Greene at the entrance to the tract. Mr. Jeff and his company (United Forestry Consultants) provides most of the management for our timber stands—planting, timber sales, herbicide applications, and a detailed management plan for each timber tract.

When we met him at 8:45, he was applying paint to the trees to mark those that would be cut for this second thinning. This allows the logging crew to take out the smaller and weaker trees, allowing the water and nutrients to be utilized by the crop trees that will be harvested as sawtimber in ten years or so.

When offered the chance to try my hand at marking trees with the nifty spray gun, I couldn’t resist!

**This is me, applying paint to a tree that will be cut by the loggers later today. Don’t you think the blue paint goes well with my “Grandpa blue” eyes?**

Mr. Jeff failed to warn me about the splatter from the paint gun. I had blue paint in my hair, on my face, my arms, and on my yellow “going to the farm” outfit! I learned my lesson and promise not to repeat it.

**The log trailer behind “Ellie’s First Car” is loaded with pulpwood. This load will bring approximately $300.**

This thinning will include both pulpwood and sawtimber, with a load of sawtimber being worth over three times the value of a pulpwood load.

While we were at the logging deck, the loader operator asked me if I would like to operate this huge piece of equipment. How could I say no! This machine sorts, delimbs, cuts the tops, and loads the logs on the trailer. It has an airconditioned cab and is very comfortable.

**Before operating the loader, I first acquainted myself with the controls in the cab of this complicated machine. My first thought was it reminded me of a video game.**

If you look closely you will see me in the operator's seat as I control the loader.

**This is a load of sawtimber with a value of approximately $1,000.**

When the final harvest occurs in ten years or so, most of the loads will be sawtimber. This will happen when I will be entering college and the income will come in handy with my tuition and other college expenses.

We have a large number of timber stands which result in regular income from timber sales. This allows us to invest in needed repairs and additions to our land and equipment, as well as funding the college educations for me, my sisters, and my four cousins.

I am standing next to a one year old loblolly pine. Grandpa said we will have a first thinning on this stand in about 15 years—when I am in my early 20s! (I hope I remember to look at this photo then!)

When we left the logging site, we drove around the other areas of this farm. Look below at some of the interesting things we saw.

This is a longleaf pine. Vivi named one of our longleaf sites near the Bluff House the “Dr. Seuss Field.” Longleaf pines produce the best pine straw valued by homeowners and landscapers. The lumber is also highly valued when it reaches sawtimber size in 40-45 years. I will be in my 50s by then!

My family loves blackberries. Mama and my sisters picked enough blackberries for a delicious cobbler earlier this week.

While Grandpa and I were riding around, I spotted some blackberries I couldn’t resist picking.

**My bare legs didn’t keep me from wading into the briars for the fresh berries, and I have the scars to prove it!**

We left before lunch and headed to Grandpa’s shop, where we enjoyed a cold bottle of water and then Grandpa offered me a big surprise! He saw how well I operated the loader and asked if I wanted to drive his new John Deere tractor. Again, how could I refuse!

**I always like to familiarize myself with the controls before operating a new piece of equipment.**

Now that I know what all the knobs, pedals, and levers do, it was time for me to demonstrate my skills!

I drove the tractor from the shop to the cabin and back to the shop. Not bad for my first time.

But the adventures were not yet complete. In case you were wondering what the title of this post included, wait until you see the “herpetarium”!

When we were approaching the cabin, we had to take a detour. There was a mother turtle (terrapin) laying eggs on the road! As she was leaving, I had to pose for a brief photo.

**“Sorry, Brigette! This one is mine!”**

OK, I am near the end of this article, but I saved the best for last! When we were at the cabin this past weekend, we found a six foot rat snake on one of the beams. When Grandpa and I visited the cabin a few days later, I spied the snake hanging on the wall. Mama and JeeJee requested we move the snake if he was still at the cabin, so we went to work. Below are a few photos.

**Grandpa pulled the snake down from the wall and he coiled up and Grandpa scooped him up in a shovel. We relocated him to the edge of the pond.**

**“OK snake, if you know what is good for you, I suggest you leave now!”**

**“I’m ok with you leaving, but I at least need an affectionate touch!”**

One more surprise! After fishing for a few minutes, we walked back to the tractor for our ride back to the shop. The snake was already nearly back to the cabin! Apparently he considers this his home.