See You at the River

        Steele Cr., mine and Matts favorite swimmin hole.

Hot Time in the Summer

Matt is out of school now, so we are getting into the summer routine. I work down at the house all day until around 4, then we load up and make a trip down to the swimming hole. Right now we have been going to Steele Cr. everyday, but there are several places we will go this summer. It's a great routine to cool down in the chilly waters of the Buffalo after being so hot during the day. It also gives Matt something to look forward to, everyone is making sacrifices to get our house done and he is too. The Osage is still making noise in the Gorge, but the hot sun is quickly drying up all the flood waters still pouring out of the hills. There are always people camping at Steele Cr. even in the middle of the week. I told Matt that it was so beautiful that people came from far away to stay there. We counted cars from Texas, Missourri, Oklahoma, and Kansas yesterday, and he was very impressed. When we were driving up the hill away from the river, he said "Dad, I love the river". I said "son, I do too". Priceless. This week has been spent laying the groundwork for the next big push. The piers for the deck are complete, and we finished piers-posts- and beam for the mudroom. This means it's time to put on the roof and deck, so big progress will happen over the next 2 weeks. I need to be finished framing with the roof on no later than 1 month from now.

Deck Time

Got the deck piers dug and poured yesterday,  its time to build the humongous deck. 1400 s.f. of pure outdoor bliss with an outdoor fireplace and outdoor kitchen. We already have all our deck furniture becouse beautiful stuff came into the store at just the right time. The gorge House has 2300 sf interior space, and 1700 sf of outdoor decks. This is becouse we love being outside in all kinds of weather. The deck is 17' off the ground at it's highest point, and is covered under 1000sf of metal roofing. It really is the escence of the house, perched on the edge of the bluff towering over the Gorge. I will be tempted to just stop working and enjoy the deck when we complete it. But the bank would not like that. I have gone overboard in the size of the piers, a lesson learned building the family cabin. The deck will not fall off the mountain. The next steps are #1- build the deck. #2-build scafolding inside the awesome room. #3-set beams and set rafters. #4-get the septic system rolling. I have a crew coming next week sometime, and I know things are fixen to happen fast. 

Summer is here

Life on the Mountain

This past holiday weekend we all had such a good time. Robyn went to Riverfest in Little Rock, while Matt and I went to cous Cooper's sleepover b-day party. Saturday Matt hung out with the neighbors riding mules, and I went to the river with my buddy Jeff and surfed all day. Then Sunday, we all packed up the canoes and went camping on the river. Matt solo kayaked, and jumped off a 15' cliff, he's 6.  We also got to visit with my brother Dave, and my Dad and his friend Marilyn. I cant wait to finish this house so I can play. Getting alot done this week. I am done with the ext walls, with only a couple of int. left. It is time to put on the roof, and I have a crew hired that will be on the job in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, I will try to get all the gable ends built and install the last 2 beams. My goal is to have all the rafters set before they come. It is also time to begin building the deck, something that I enjoy immensely. It has been HOT!, at least we are not used to it. I do feel myself getting in better shape, I'm getting stronger and have more stamina. Right now, I am out-working my help. I will post pictures of progress soon.  Stay Cool, RJ

Almost On Top

Got some things done today, new help was on the job and I was ready. Stood walls on the 2nd floor and we are now 22' off the ground at the highest point. The highest point in the house is about 30' off the ground. I quite sure I will have problems working that high, I am afraid of hieghts. But when it's gotta be done, I usually do it. What a week, the storms have been scary and our hearts go out to the hundreds of familys who have lost loved ones. We have escaped unscathed except for the daily dousing that swells wood and beams and sheathing. Oh well, this has been one of the worst times to build becouse of weather but you take it as it comes. It was only 60 deg. today so it was good working temp.  I think that Richard is going to work out good, he sure worked hard today. The wildflowers around our site are amazing, we dont have weeds, we have wildflowers. We even have an abundance of Mountain Azealia which I'm told is very rare. Soon it will be time to put on the roof and deck, and also begin building the massive scaffolding system inside the house. Maybe we will be dry for awhile and make good progress.

Slow Week

Been a slow week in the gorge, my daughter Whitney has been visiting and we have spent as much time as possible with her in this busy time. More rain is on the way and I'm going to try and finish the subfloor upstairs this morning to have all wood I joists covered. I have another carpenter lined up next week, so hopefully much progress will be made. I also built the stairs this week in addition to finishing the 2nd floor. I cant wait to start standing walls up there, it's the last step before putting on the roof. I still am debating differant ideas on an assortment of questions. My goal is to be dried -in in about 1 month, which is definately doable considering the progress made in less than a month with a ton of days missed becouse of rain . It will be so nice handing off to the plumber, electrician, and hvac guys. then it will be deck time. And I love building decks, 1700 sq.ft. of deck to be built way off the ground. It would be so nice to get in a short paddling session if the rains come, maybe I'll get lucky! The weather has been perfect, days in the 60s in late May. We really just have 3 months of summer here on the mountain, and snake time is upon us. Watch where your stepping.