Kaboom!!

When we first moved to the farm it was a vastly different looking place than it is now.  There was little landscaping, as in two old lilacs and a holly bush,  lovely shade trees, lots of yard and a farm that consisted of basically one field.  That reads, no fences to speak of.  So for the first few years we did a lot of fencing.  After gaining a lot of experience putting in boundary fences, creating fields, and building cattle working lots, hubby decided it was time to get creative. 

We live on a hill with a long gently curving drive.  He wanted to put a black plank fence along the drive, following the gentle curve.  Our neighbor and close friend just happened to be an engineer with his own bridge building firm, so we discussed the fence with him.  He helped figure out the curve and was sure it was a job hubby could do without the expense of hiring a crew.  So, a week was picked and the first fence post holes were dug.  The tractor and post hole digger were working along and progress was rapid until they hit about the middle of the drive.  Then things came to a screeching halt.  They hit rock.  Not just a big rock but a shelf of rock that they just weren't going to dig through.  After all, this is Kentucky. Look at the road cuts and you'll notice quickly that they consist of a thin layer of dirt on a lot of rock.  Limestone rock that grows great grass for thoroughbreds but still rock.

Hubby retreated to the porch with a beer and the neighbor to discuss the problem.  Heads were scratched and ideas tossed around.  Finally, they decided they had the solution to the problem.  They needed somehow to get holes through the shelf of rock.  The answer was obviously a jack hammer.  It just so happened that the friend had one at his shop.  Off they went to gather up the needed equipment and in the process gathered up the friend's two sons.  Soon the sons were manning the jack hammer and rock and dirt was flying.  However, it didn't take long for them all to retire to the porch with another beer and another problem.  The rock was hard and thick.  They weren't making much progress.  More head scratching. 

Finally, the engineer said there was only one solution.  They needed to blow the holes.  After all, that's what you did when you were in a building project, just blow the holes.  Naturally, he had the explosives and he knew how to do it, so the decision was made.  Off they went again to gather up more supplies.  At this point the kids and I had taken up seats on the front porch to watch the show.

They soon gathered back and began the preparations.  Knowing that explosions can create some hazards, they made their plans carefully.  Because we live on an access road , they decided they needed to block traffic so no car would accidentally be damaged by debris or drivers startled by the explosion.  To coordinate everything they would use the boy's trucks since they had 2-way radios in them from work.  The explosives were placed and the trucks took off to block the road and the countdown began.  Everyone watched in amazement when the plunger was pushed. A huge rumble  roared up from the hole.  Rock, dirt and smoke filled the air fifteen feet from the hole.  Everyone looked startled, even the engineer.  I began to wonder if beer and explosives were such a good idea.  The crew rushed back  to view the results.  They certainly had a hole.  It may take "bit" of fill around the post, but boy did they have a hole.

The process was repeated three more times, but with a slight reduction in the explosives!  

To this day, that fence is probably hubby's proudest accomplishment and has become a landmark for the farm.  It also is one of our favorite memories of the friendship of a great neighbor.  We miss you.