Lessons learned on the mountain

Another cold, snowy day on the mountain and I've learned a few lessons.

Lesson #1    Never, never, ever leave your truck window down 1" overnight. Why you ask? Because, after a long night of blowing snow you'll end up with a driver's seat, dashboard, interior door, steering wheel, etc. covered in snow. Can you imagine anybody doing that?

Lesson #2    Never leave your roof off before s snow storm. Why you ask? Because, after a long night of snow, you'll have enough snow in your living room to make a snowman or start a ski resort.

When the cabin is completed, I'm going to make sure I take a photo from the same vantage point and make a print of each, framed in a double frame. I don't want to ever forget.


Wait a minute...I hear blowing snow!

Gotta go.

More coming,
z

Rough on the mountain

View at 4pm from by digs

There's not much to tell today except we got snow and could only work until 1pm.

Dagnabit!

More coming,
z

Back on the mountain

After a few days off for Thanksgiving, I'm back on the mountain. Lots of fog, rain, wet, etc. The guys have been moving forward until the weather came in and have sheathed half of the roof. I stopped by on the way in and took this photo of the garage side of the cabin.

As you can see or maybe not because of the fog, the dormer is framed and the sheathing (plywood) is installed on the roof.

We're expecting rain thru Wednesday. I spoke with Tim and he's on alert if the weather breaks ahead of schedule to get back on the roof.

The windows were to be delivered tomorrow but I'm going to see if we can take delivery Thursday instead. It will be dry but cold. Better than wet!

A quick note about Thanksgiving...it was wonderful to take a few days off and share great time with my family. We missed Marlene and Don but otherwise all of us met at Kyle and Olesea's retreat in West Virginia. The turkey and all the fixings were excellent. Can't wait to see everyone (Amy will be in Albania and will be missed) in Miami for Christmas...Santa will be in shorts I'm sure!

More coming,
z

Happy Bird from West Virginia

Spending the Thanksgiving holiday with my family!

Hope everyone has a great one too.

More to come,
z

Biscuits, rafters and Thanksgiving

Tim and James are back at it today setting rafters. These rafters are 20' & 24' long and a bear to move around but they make it look easy.

Lots of heavy lifting for the today and tomorrow.

You're looking at the garage side of the cabin on the photo above where 4 rafters are in place. The small box shape mid way along the upper wall will morph into a dormer once the rafters are completed.

The photo to the left is from the opposite side. This is the part of the roof that will have skylights to help bring in light from above into the living room.

I stopped by the local Hardee's for a biscuit this morning and happened upon this scene. What are the chances that two women would be wearing the same pants and be at the same place at the same time? Somebody needs to take my iPhone away from me before I hurt myself.

Happy Thanksgiving. I'm heading home tomorrow to be with my family and I can't wait!

More coming,

z

Looking more like a cabin

Saturday was another busy day on the mountain. The last of the SIPs panels were installed and now the shape of the cabin is starting to show itself.

The next step is to install the roof rafters. Each rafter is cut specifically to fit from 20' and 24' long 2"x12"  lumber. Once that's completed then the roof decking is installed and we go to shingles. Almost dry at last.

The decking is in the lower center of the photo

The guys decided to take Sunday off. It's supposed to be a day of rest but I decided to build the doors for the workshop before I head out for Thanksgiving. They're made of 2"x10" pine. They weigh a ton but provide added security.

Speaking of Thanksgiving...I'm not one to get overtly excited about stuff but I am about Thanksgiving. I've been here since August 18th and I'm really looking forward to seeing my family for what I consider a great holiday. I like Thanksgiving because nobody exchanges gifts...we just spend great time together, laugh, eat, drink and be merry. I have a wonderful family that sure makes me proud. Our sons are terrific but the women in their lives and mine are the best!!!

What's could be better than that?

More coming,
z

p.s. speaking of Sunday being a day of rest...I'm going to start looking for a church after Thanksgiving. I miss being in God's house!

Back on a dry track

Worked started early this morning with the arrival of the 'boom' truck and our roof package. The roof package consists of rafter 20' and 24' long and Zip-panels for the roof decking. All of this is heavy stuff not to mention awkward to move around and the boom truck made it easy. We had to go from the ground level to the second floor level so you can see why this was a big deal.

While the boom truck was at the job site we had the operator move all of the second floor SIPs from the garage to the second floor. Again, this saved us a lot of difficulty and time. It took about 2 hours to complete the task but it was sure worth it.

Many thanks to Blevins Building Supply for helping us out on the material placement.

We started setting the second floor SIPs about 11am and by 3pm most of the second floor was in place. What you're seeing is the front of the cabin (view side) with most of the SIPs in place. If it looks odd it's because their is another layer that will be placed on to to form the gable end ^ of the cabin and complete the right front wall. It'll make more sense after my next post.

The guys are working tomorrow and Sunday in hopes of having the roof system in place and the decking on before Thanksgiving.

More coming,
z

Rained all night and drizzle starts the day

Got to the job site this morning after an all night rain in time to find it still raining. The photo to the left is from the loft level looking out. The broom helped move standing water off the decking. Nothing was damaged from the rain. We've actually had very good weather up until today BUT things are going to go back to GOOD at least until next Wednesday which should give us plenty of time to set the second floor SIPs and build the roof system.

We bought Zip Panels for the roof. They're 5/8" pre-finished with a waterproof membrane that seals the roof from water leakage. It gives us ample time to get the shingles installed without worry of a leaky roof.

The plan this morning included having the roof system delivered with a boom truck (one that can lift material on a long arm and save our backs) AND have the second floor SIPs delivered at the same time so the boom operator could lift both SIPs and roofing system to the second floor. Did I say plan? I got a call from the building supply company early this morning informing me that their boom truck was leaking gas and they had to have it fixed before letting it head our way. I've seen this boom truck and it's not old and run down so I suspect it just decided to take a break for the day. I did get a call later in the day that it was repaired and delivery is set for 8am tomorrow morning.

The SIPs truck did show up on time and we decided to off load the SIPs into the garage and let the driver head back to Winston-Salem. It actually might be better this way because with 2 large trucks jockeying for position, etc. it might have been a nightmare.

Tomorrow morning's delivery will let us arrange the material without being rushed because...after the rain stopped, the snow started. Snow makes things very slippery and dangerous so after a brief meeting the guys called it a day.

The sad face is right in front of where our fireplace is going. The brown under the lines of the sad face is floor decking...the white stuff is SNOW.


I'm going home #!*$!@ !!!


More coming,
z

I'll do my crying in the rain...

The Everly Brothers nailed it...They did their crying in the rain AND that's exactly what I'm doing today...crying in the rain. I really can't complain because we've had exceptional weather up until today. Today is another story. R-A-I-N, you know, the wet stuff. The stuff that puts a halt to everything.

We couldn't work today because of the weather. R-A-I-N, R-A-I-N go away, come again another day! The photo to the right is from the workshop looking at the cabin. Notice, no worker bees, no sun, plenty of clouds and R-A-I-N.

I'm not complaining, just making sure everyone knows what we're up against today.

The photo to the left is not of a mirror placed on the floor of the garage, it's water on the floor of the garage. Not to worry. They say we should be in good shape if the weather changes in 24 hours and guess what? It will. Colder but dry. Then mild and dry. Good enough for us to take delivery of the second floor SIPs tomorrow and start the roof system.

I had a break today and spent it going to Wilkesboro to check out two lumber mills. I'm looking for our second floor stair system. We want 4" x 12" x 16' pieces of rough hand hewn lumber for the stairs. These stairs will be visible from the first floor and we want them 'neat' looking. If you have some, let me know!

 I'm listening to rain hitting the metal roof where I'm staying and I'm just looking forward to dry weather tomorrow.

Again, the photo to the right isn't of a mirror on the floor...it's a good shot of Mother Nature at her best. Ever wonder why they call 'her' Mother Nature and not Father Nature?

More coming,
z

p.s. wait, I see some blue on the horizon...better days are here again!

We're looking for a pine tree!

You know, when a skyscraper is almost at its top floor, the construction crew starts looking for a pine tree to attach to the highest point. Ever wonder where that tradition came from...

History of the "Topping Out" Ceremony

The beam and the tree represent one of the construction industry’s oldest customs – the "topping out" of a completed project.

Scandinavian mythology suggests that humans originated from trees and our souls returned to the trees after death, giving each tree a spirit of its own.

Humans began constructing their shelter with wood. Before cutting a tree, they would formally address the forest, reminding it of the consideration they had always shown toward the trees and asking the forest to grant use of a tree for construction of their home. When the house was complete, the topmost leafy branch of the tree used would be set atop the roof so that the tree spirit would not be rendered homeless. The gesture was supposed to convince the tree spirit of the sincere appreciation of those building the home.

As time passed, the early conception of tree worship gradually changed. The individual tree spirits merged into a single forest god who could pass freely from tree to tree. Trees were no longer placed atop the home to appease spirits, but rather to enlist the blessings of the forest god. The tree branches on top of the home ensured fertility of the land and the home.

Today the custom is continued, across the world, most frequently on completed structures such as bridges and skyscrapers but will be placed on top of 'Maple Lodge'...why not?

We're almost at the top. Tim is gluing and nailing down the second floor decking in the photo to the right. The open area to the lower right is looking down into the living room. The view from the living room when seated on the sofa when looking upward will reveal the ceiling some 20-30' up.
 












The photo to the left is looking from Tim's vantage point toward the mountain view. Again, the open area looks into the living room.

Finally, the photo below is the view from the loft floor (second floor office/library area) looking toward the mountains. Sugar Mountain and Grandfather Mountain are out there to the right. You can easily see one of the slopes with snow already for opening day.

Well, I can easily see it but the photo doesn't depict it best. You'll see it when you visit.

The next step is to take delivery of the second floor SIPs system which is scheduled for delivery Wednesday morning. We're coordinating that delivery and the roof system delivery at the same time so the roof system driver can use his boom truck to lift the SIPs onto the second floor level.


Once these SIPs are in place (Wednesday) the roof system will be built and made ready for the roofers. Part of our roof will be asphalt shingles and another part will be tin roofing to give it an old original mountain look when completed.

Gotta go, it's still light out and I haven't found the pine tree that will adorn the top ridge of the cabin.

More coming,
z
 

First level...one more to go...

First floor framed in 5 hours

Just like clockwork, the Eco-Panels truck showed up at 8:30am this morning. The temperature was 19 degrees....brrrrrr! Everybody was excited about the delivery because it meant our first floor was going to be installed IN ONE DAY!

Sure enough, by 2:30pm the first floor walls were up. The amazing part besides the speed in getting the walls up is that they are insulated, pre-wired, have the outside finished skin on (board & batton) and are framed. Four steps in one step.

As the day went on, the temps went up (a bit) the sky was beautiful and all went well.

The install went without a major hitch. The learning curve for SIPs was rather short and we were rocking and rolling in no time. The view to the right is from the hill above the cabin.

On the photo to the left from left to right, the openings are: guest bedroom window, front door, bathroom window, kitchen window, door to deck from kitchen...

The photo to the right is the view from the kitchen and dining room. One of the main criteria for buying this property was 'the view'. It's all we expected and more!

The guys are working tomorrow to install the second floor truss system. The decking for the second floor will be installed Monday. The second floor SIPs are scheduled for Wednesday of next week then we go to the roof system.

More coming,
z

Big day but not that big!

It was a big day today. The workshop got it's new roof completed. All of the metal roofing is in place and probably will be tested this evening as we're expecting a light rain.

I headed to the lumber yard to get the material necessary to make the door for the workshop. On the way I stopped at Parker Tie, a local lumber, hardware, everything place, and talked to Mike about what was needed to install my wood stove in the workshop. He was very knowledgeable and offered up some good solutions to the install. I'll make the door over the next few days. Once it's installed, I can start to bring in some of my stored woodworking tools. This is just another step closer to finishing our dream cabin.

Once the workshop roof was finished, the guys headed straight for the cabin to build the structural walls necessary to carry the remaining floor trusses and ultimately the SIPs. Tim and James have been great. They move quickly and accurately through each phase of the build. Needless to say, this has been a relief to me to have found the right help.

What you're seeing is the start of two walls necessary to carry the load of the trusses that will rest above (not shown). This wall is one wall of the stair system that leads from the garage up to the first level. Notice the floor...it's been treated with a sealer that makes it almost shine. The concrete guys did a great job. The opening to the left of the photo is the garage door opening.


We are on schedule for accepting delivery of the wall units (SIPs) for the first level on Friday. I picked up and delivered a trailer load of 4' x 8' sheets of subfloor material that will be installed tomorrow (Thursday). I spoke with Eco-Panels rep Craig today and delivery of the first floor SIPs will be day after tomorrow as planned.

The weatherman (http://asheweather.com/Forecast/West+Jefferson) is calling for much colder temps for a few days then back to 'nice'. We should be good with the delivery and the install of the first floor SIPs, which will take place on Friday and Saturday. The loft level will be delivered mid-week, next week.

The 'big boss' from Raleigh is coming to inspect and make sure we are on track. I hope everything meets with her approval or otherwise I'll be living in the workshop long term ;^(.

I have been missing the 'boss' strange as that may sound. After 41 years of guidance, I have to admit that I miss being 'handled'. Don't get me wrong, I love the area we've chosen to spend the rest of our lives in, I love the people and everything about Ashe County appeals to me BUT I really miss all my handler and all my 'buds'. I know I'll meet new buds here but until I do, I'm a bit lonely.

Now that I got that off my chest...Thanksgiving is coming. It's my favorite holiday even better than Christmas. Our family will come together and JUST enjoys each other...NO GIFTS, just LOVE! I can't wait, I really can't wait.

More coming,
z

Heavy metal and slab work

The moon and stars must be aligned because we were able to pour our slab and a bunch of deck piers today without cold or rain. There are only 4 piers remaining to pour and that'll be a piece of cake.

The slab, now in place, allows us to build two structural walls that help support the main floor and above. We'll frame those Thursday. The SIPs are due in Friday but may be delayed a few days to make sure we are absolutely ready and have good weather for a few days.

We're concentrating on the workshop (sheep shed) while the slab cures. The workshop is critical to most of the interior work on the cabin because I'll have a place to build cabinets, make custom elements, etc. for the cabin. The photo to the left shows Tim installing the metal roofing on the workshop. We should have the roof finished by tomorrow and then I'll build the door and start bringing in tools. Needless to say, "I'm pumped".

Each piece of 3' x 12' metal is hoisted by rope up the side wall and onto the roof decking to then be screwed down. Once up the wall, I run for cover because if the panel breaks loose then I loose my head or other major part.

I forgot to mention that I have an old 'Atlanta' wood stove that will adorn one corner of the workshop. Once it's in place, I'll be sure to post a photo with it in operation. I expect it to be fully functional by next month (brrrrrrrrr!)

Dar and I have gone back and forth about a formal name for our estate. Early this morning we finally agreed on a proper name. It was essential that we do it this morning because the name was forever etched into the concrete slab as you enter the garage. I made a maple leaf template that was pressed into the concrete then added the name "Maple Lodge" est. 2011 using a fine instrument (a 16d nail...so much for romance).

One more note: Dar, her sister Marlene and husband Don will be visiting this Thursday for a few days. I guess I better get things in order. I've already alerted the guys that the 'big boss' and her assistants are going to be in town this week!

More coming,
z

Things are still hoppin'

Let's start with the important stuff. The garage slab was inspected and passed today. The concrete truck will be here bright and early tomorrow to fill the basement/garage with concrete. Looks like we have missed the really cold weather for this pour. It was important that we get all the concrete in the ground before it gets really cold...thank you Lord!

What you're looking at is the wire mesh over the plastic vapor barrier over the gravel. This part of the build will get us in good shape to accept delivery of the SIPS Friday. Once the slab is set (Wednesday) we'll easily make the deadline to install two walls in the garage that are structural and will carry some of the first floor load.

 The white chalk in the photo to the left marks our deck and walkway piers (13 in all). Those were dug late today and will be inspected tomorrow. It's interesting and I know important to have all of the inspections we have to go through. There are so many agencies that are trying to keep us safe that it would boggle your mind. Thank goodness all these folks are trying to keep us safe because we might do something that would hurt ourselves...nuff said!

The photo to the right is what I'll describe as 'command central'. It's my workshop. The place where all of the interior elements will be created, assembled and readied for installation in the 'big house'.

Tomorrow morning I'm heading to Sparta to pick up the metal roofing that will adorn the workshop. Ultimately, it will look like an original NC barn when it's finished. Our plan is to complete it before Friday after which all of our attention will go into drying in the cabin. The workshop will serve as a sanctuary for the many times that I might be in trouble over the years to come. It will be a space that can be converted into living quarters in the event that I'm ever expelled from the big house.

One last note: today the UPS man came up the mountain and down our street looking for 210 Maple Tree Lane...THAT'S US!!!! I waved him down, thinking that he might have something for me...he stopped and he did. This might not be a big deal to you but I got a new pair of sheepskin moccasins (slippers for you city folks). My old pair bit the dust recently and I've been without this luxury until tonight. Cold beer and moccasins...

Life is GOOD!

More coming,
z

p.s. I did get our first piece of mail, delivered to our new mailbox (210 Maple Tree Lane, West Jefferson, NC 28694). It was from my sweetheart. It was a card with some really nice stuff written inside. I plan on putting it into a frame and hanging it in the cabin to commemorate "our first official piece of mail".

A day off

I was able to go to a benefit held for a gentleman in the area who needed open heart surgery. The community came together to hold a BBQ supper at the local elementary school last night. Doc Watson played a set after supper. This was the first time I have had an opportunity to hear him in person. I remember, some 25 years ago, my studio did some photographs of him.

Here's the link to a video of one of the songs he played. Doc is 88 and remarkable to say the least.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKEBtV6yNT4 

Sorry for the quality...

Didn't do much today (Sunday) as it's a 'day of rest'. I did manage to haul the 'office' up the hill to it's new home (everybody was complaining about the long walk to the 'office'. Now that was a sight!

More coming,
z

Sheep Shed (aka Kent's workshop)

After a day of rain, the skies turned a beautiful Carolina blue and we started on the sheep shed. The design is taken from old barns that were used to house sheep and farm equipment. This sheep shed will actually be used as a workshop. The sheep shed is up the drive to the left.

The first project will be to build our cabin's front door. The door will be 42" wide which is somewhat wider than standard front doors (36"). We wanted a larger entry door for the look and feel as well as the functionality.

The next project will probably be the kitchen cabinets. I'm excited to build these because they will be custom built with several interesting elements. We plan on i including a dumb waiter from the garage level to the first floor level through the island. The knobs on the cabinets will be made from river stones. The countertops will be from 2" thick milled black walnut harvested from NC.

This view is through the window in the workshop. I'll be able to keep an eye on the mountains as well as have cross ventilation. I'll have more photos as the space develops. We did discover a great place for our future root cellar...under the workshop in the corner where 2 of the walls will be block with earthen back fill...perfect for keeping vegetables fresh.

This is KD our construction, attack, guard, rescue dog that's by my side every day. She's taking a break!!!

More coming,
z

Moving in the right direction

I have been released from prison, or so it seems. I spent the last two and a half months at the New River State Park in our pop-up camper. The accommodations were tight at best. Now don't get me wrong, when I spend time camping with my sweetheart, there aren't too many places she can hid in a small space before I eventually find her. As a matter of fact, when our boys were growing up, we traveled all over the USA in a pop-up camper and loved every minute of it BUT we had each other. I was alone for 2.5 months in about 9 square feet and it felt very much like a prison cell (not that I know what a prison cell should feel like ;^) I'm just guessing). The closest I ever got to spending time in jail was...never mind!

I am now in a mansion!!! I have been blessed with friends that I owe a great deal to because of their generosity. These friends, who are also clients of mine, headed back to Florida but not before making sure that I spend the upcoming winter at their cabin. Did I mention that their cabin is 3 minutes from our project? I owe these kind folks a great deal.

There's been some good progress on our cabin. We had the gravel delivered for the garage and it will be installed tomorrow and then the garage slab poured. The inspector came by today and approved our plumbing and said "go ahead and install the gravel, everything looks good". For those of you who have never built a home or served as your own general contractor, there are required inspections all along the way which, in my opinion, serve to make sure that we build to proper requirements, etc. Our inspector, Jonathan, is great. He wants our project to move forward as much as we do. Don't get me wrong, he's not cutting us any slack, he's doing a good job BUT we are too in making sure that we are compliant and stay within all necessary code requirements.




The framing package for the workshop was delivered yesterday. I'm going to have to have a talk with my supplier to make sure that future deliveries are handled more to "my liking" because this package was dropped (it slides off of a flatbed truck) almost in the hole where the workshop is being built. Not to worry, we'll have a prayer meeting and make sure that this doesn't happen again. Nothing was damaged but it sure makes it difficult to handle the wood!

We're expecting (it's just started to rain) rain this evening and Maurice will be back tomorrow to get the gravel, wire mesh, etc. into the garage for the pour. The inspector will be back to check the wire, gravel, etc and then we pour. We won't see Jonathan until all of the framing is finished, HVAC, electrical and plumbing installed.

Next week (Friday) the SIPS are being delivered. We'll have the floor system in and be ready for the walls. Once the walls are in place, we'll take a high leap...it might start looking like a cabin after all!

More coming,
z