We were out on 35 acres today, looking for a well.

This is beautiful acreage, perfect for an equestrian retreat. It is level at the bottom, then rises gently thorugh a series of hills to the viewpoint high up the mountainside.

But where was the well? We had hints from the owners of the property of where it might be located, but this acreage is a 1031  investment property for them, they had walked it once or twice, and they weren’t sure if they had even seen the well. They thought they remembered the former owners saying it was at the summit near a rough cabin.

So we found ourselves bumping over steep terrain and wet leaves to reach that likely place where that illusive well might be. Have you ever tried to find a well on 35 acres with only hearsay as a clue? Let me tell you, it is quite a challenge. But we came prepared. We were bundled up, be-sweatered and  woolen-capped, our big clippers, weed wacker,  and  survey in hand. 

We spotted the clearing near the top. 360 degree views of ancient mountains painted in the colors of autumn greeted us as two white-tailed deer dashed into the woods. I said I would go hunting for lost wells any day with these dividends and we headed out toward the point.

Right about then, as luck would have it, I tripped over something in the grasses. An old iron rod. An old iron rod that marked the spot where a grown-over well plate hid! Yes! Now all we had to do was find out who dug the well, the capacity and depth. Some luck...we could make out the name of the well-driller. On Monday we will do some research to see if we can find records from the drilling.  Always an adventure.  I love this business.

P.S. Here's a handy resource for well water basics