Rick, it sounds as if you and I have the same native "soil" - what we refer to as pure adobe clay (there is a reason they used this "soil" for missions) . 15 years ago, I had to do major double dig for the vege area and I added enough compost so that the end result was close to 60-65% adobe and 35-40% compost. 4 times a year on average, we add 8-10" of compost followed by several inches of mulch on top and, each time, it collapses down to less than an inch within 2 months (if it is warm outside). If I allow an area to sit fallow for a year and don't add the old barn pickins, the soil re-compacts as hard as a rock. So... although our soil is improving a little year by year, I definitely hear what you are saying.
