More Rain

We really need rain. The past two nights we have had huge 100 mile wide systems bearing down on us with the certainty of massive rain. Then right before it gets to us, magically somehow stops or goes around us. Of course I have not done any work becouse of what seems to be so certain. And there is no water in the Buffalo, at least the level that is needed for good kayak fun. I've hired a crew who is supposed to work for me next week, but it looks like it's going to rain all week. After next week they wont be available, so it looks like I'm out of luck with that. To tell the truth, the elements are kicking my ass. You need some luck sometimes, and I'm sure that things will turn around and quick progress will be made. Meantime, I need to get my jolly's out in the wild. The past few days have been very stressful at work and I need to recharge my optimism. I'm waiting to see if the river came up enough to go surfing at Greyrock, or if I will just go into the Gorge for a hike.   Happy Easter everyone. Easter was always a big day with my Mom, and we will go help my Dad to celebrate just like we always did. Easter will always be a day when I really miss her the most. We always went to church and sang so loudly together, we love you Mom.

Frustration getting me down

My helper did not show up today, niether did my desire. I usually push on hard and just accomplish what I can, but today I just kind of gave up. I did a few things getting ready to set the joists, but was really bummed out becouse what I thought was going to be a very productive day; was not. My longtime companion and best frriend 'Jazz' is in bad shape also, and may not make it. This really gets me down. I hoped that Jazz would make it long enough to be a fixture on the new deck, but this may not be the case. I definately wont count him out, he is an amazing dog and one hell of a fighter.  My energy and drive need to resurface, I need to make things happen every day.  I must finish this house so I can enjoy the reasons we moved up here. I must stop putting so much preasure on myself. I must stop talking to myself. I'm starting to laugh about all the things I must do, but more than anything I must paddle and play guitar. sometimes a man just needs to ramble on about nothing.  Peace Out Brothers and Sisters

Slow Start

 I sold all of my tools when I sold my business last year. Its been nice getting some new ones, but I am soooo unorganized. Every 5 seconds I add to the list of tools I need. It's been awhile since I did any framing, so I do not have my groove on.  Hyper productivity is what I shoot for, so this is driving me up the wall. However, we have started framing the floor system and progress will come soon. The wind still howls, and it will be a bitch working with the long joists. But we will make it happen. Got a big storm last night and the creek is raging. We will sneak off and do some paddling today, or tommoroe. Nick just bought a kayak from our store and I am going to take him on the Boxley run. Bring some dry clothes Nick. Lesson learned for the thousanth time, you must be patient on the mountain.             

Distractions Delay Start

Since I am the one building our home, distractions in our lives can delay things getting done. Issues and opportunity at work pulled me away from the mountain this week, but luckily some things were accomplished. Tim Flecther, our nieghbor, friend, and backhoe operator, made things happen. He dug the ditch for the electric lines, installed the electric conduit, cut up and moved a huge hickory that had fallen  and was in the way of the ditch, and worked with Carroll Electric to make sure that we get our electricity. Tim is a adapt and overcome kind of guy, and when I was pulled away from the job took over and made it happen. Also got our termit pretreat completed which means that it's time to get busy. It's also 80 deg. and theres water in the river. My decision for today is work or play, Matt has a new kayak and I would love to start his training. The wind is still insane, so I have an excuse if I choose to go to the river. The goals for the coming week; #1 begin framing, #2 get our electic meter set and have elec., #3 round up some help for framing, and #4 check out some huge cedar trees I have a line on. I hope things will settle down this week, and I will devote all my energys toward the Gorge House.

Making Adjustments on Foundation tolerances

My  brother Scott came out and helped me to operate the lazer transit to check the level of the foundation walls. You expect some variance, it's concrete. But the time to know where these variances are is before you start installing the floor. That way you can make the small adjustments needed, and have a perfectly level and square floor. This is very important and is worth any effort and time you invest. The greatest variance was 5/16" and is easily corrected with some shimming of the mudsill. This week we will dig the electric supply line and install underground conduit; complete the piers and have termite pretreat; and begin framing. Yehaw, I cant wait to work with wood!!!!!!

Materials Arrive

I used a Skylift for unloading and placing material on job. Alot of fun to operate, and well worth the cost. The long blue tarp hides the flooring system, 40' beams and 44' joists

XCFSTHIVXVXGJFDXXCX!!!!!!!! WIND!!!!!!!!!!

The long winter has not bothered me, any rain I always welcome. I rarely cuss, but the --------------------- wind is driving me insane. We dont live in Siberia, we dont live in west Texas. I have been on this mountain for 11 years now, and this by far has been the windiest time I've experianced. It rips your tarps to shreds, it blows 4x8 pcs. of foam all over the mountain, it beats you down, it ruins your fires. WIND SUCKS.        There now, I feel better.  Nothing like a rant to get things  off your chest. Much progress has been made in the last week . I am working to complete the piers after the guy I hired to do the job backed out at the last minute. This is hard work involving moving 35 -80 lb. bags of concrete mix and then mixing and pouring them into aprox. 150 concrete blocks layed up as piers. I wont save a bunch of money, but I wont have to wait for the job to miove forward. This is why it is so important to be able to step in and actually do the work needed. Sub- contractor delays will kill a schedule. The flooring system and the entire framing package were delivered this week. I spent all day friday unloading the semi trailer and setting up the materials on the jobsite in the order they will be used. After completing the piers I  have to get them treated for termites, and then I can begin framing. I have never done an engineered floor system , but it looks much easier than traditional framing and that is the point. I dont have any carpenters lined up, but I'm not worried. Things will fall in place soon enough and I have some phone #s to call for help. I will try folks out before making any commitments, and hopefully find someone good.