"Whiles in the early winter eve we pass amid the gathering night some homestead that we had to leave years past; and see its candles bright shine in the room beside the door where we were merry years agone but now must never enter more, as still the dark road drives us on. E'en so the world of men may turn at even of some hurried day and see the ancient glimmer burn across the waste that hath no way; then with that faint light in its eyes a while I bid it linger near and nurse in wavering memories the bitter-sweet of days that were."

The House of Wulfings - William Morris
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 

The guys; Mark, Nathan, Josh, Eric, Nick.

 

This is the perfect stone. Beautifully shaped, it is about 6 & 1/2 feet tall. Nathan estimates its' weight at 3,500 pounds. It took me weeks, but 10 years ago I managed to jack up its heavy end and insert a rock. Since then I've not been able to budge it.

 

Discussing the first step. Removing the rock from the base.

 

Down from the base where it has lain since the last ice age, the stone is aligned on the rollers for the 70-foot journey to its new home.

 

The long journey begins.

 

The route is adjusted and the stone heads for a shallow gully that promises to be difficult to traverse.

In the end, the gully would defeat us. I made the sad, difficult decision to use Mark's truck. This was never my intent. I always said that it's better the stone remain where nature left it and the stone circle remain pure in my heart, than to profane the circle by adding a stone pulled with a giant, modern machine. But in the heat of the moment I had to have this stone. I am forever reminded of Al Pacino, who playing the Devil in The Devil's Advocate, in the final line of the movie, looks at the camera, smiles and says "Vanity. My favorite sin."

 

Even with the truck, this was extraordinarily difficult. Now just 12 feet from its destination the stone had to be turned and move about 8 feet perpendicular in order to go around hill that would have been too much. In order to effect this change in direction, the towing strap had to be looped around a tree. After this, the stone needed to be pulled from the top in order that it's base be aligned with the destination trough already dug at the edge of the stone circle.

This last operation broke the strap. We were now literally within 4 feet of home but could not get it there. Didn't matter. Because there was no way to stand the stone anyway. We are going to figure an alternate method (hopefully without machines) and do it again in a couple weeks.

 

The final resting place. Just a few feet from home.

 

Profanation. Will my stone circle now be cursed?

 

The celebration awaits another day. Soon. Stay tuned.

 
 

Last updated - November 2, 2008