Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Cabin Building - Day 59

Sorry no pics, left the camera in the truck overnight and killed the batteries -- ooops! They're in the recharger now, so hopefully we can revive them.

Well, we have the header beams all anchored in, the first floor end walls framed in, and have started on the loft joists. No work really on Monday since it was errand day in Manley, but we did get our stove which Paul picked up for us while he was in Fairbanks. It started snowing while we were there and didn't stop until Tuesday evening... only 3 or 4 inches accumulated, but it at least helped us slide the 400+ lb stove from the back of the truck into what will eventually become the great room. And today we shoveled and swept all the snow off everything and enjoyed a productive carpentry day in the clear sunshine just below freezing instead of just above zero :) 

The end joists were a bear since we had to worry about them flipping off the end of the wall/top plate and dropping 12' into the snow (possibly taking one of us with it!!), but the rest should go up relatively easy -- hahaha famous last words!  Once we get the full joists up in the two front bays, we're going to frame in the interior walls for the pantry and staircase so we can put in the partial doubled joists in the rear bay. If Ken's available to help us this weekend, we may even get started on the rafters - fingers crossed! We still have 10 days until our drop-dead moving day, so we still *might* get it weathered-in and not have to futz with rigging the tent to the second floor this winter.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Do what all the alaskans do if you cant get it weathered in for the winter.... cover up what you can with a thick huge tarp then deal with it in the spring time. lol

Wash.

Plickety Cat said...

Hells yeah!! Tarps - the essential Alaskan building material!

What?! You thought I bought that 30' x 50' double-reinforced UV-stable brown & silver tarp simply because it looked cool?!? ROFL

Susan Stevenson said...

I hope you make your building deadline! Here in North Pole, the snow is melting on the roads, but they're icing up at night too. I don't mind snow, but the ice is scary - especially when driving.

I was up visiting your neighbor Sarah a couple of months ago. Glad to see they've got their "Alaska McMansion" up. Good luck to you!

And I agree about the tarps. Alaskans can build a shelter with tarps and duct tape. That's all you need. *grin*

Susan in North Pole

Plickety Cat said...

Sure enough -- and if'n you want to get real fancy just add in a couple bungee cords, some general purpose wire, a little 550-paracord and a sheet or two of blueboard... don't need nothin' else!!

Sarah & Ken got their place up quick, certainly pays to be near the road with a proper driveway doesn't it? I'm glad we helped them lift their walls so the kiddies could stay warm and toasty this winter.

Susan Stevenson said...

Oh yes - 550 cord. My husband is a retired soldier. We ALWAYS have 550 cord on hand, and in our vehicle emergency boxes too. :)

Beth of the Rocks said...

You guys are AWESOME! I can't believe you lived through an Alaskan winter in a TENT!! That's so great.

I was thinking about Alaska, but while I am an introvert, my son is not. Holing up in the wilds up there would not suit him at all. *sigh* So that part, at least I live vicariously through you.

I love this blog!

~B

Dan Lynch said...

Thanks for the update, PC. You guys are making good progress and it shows in your enthusiasm.

Anonymous said...

Sure, tarps and paracord are all well and good, but do you have a goodly supply of doilys? Nothing says Home Sweet Home like a doily covering every horizontal surface.

You guys are my aspirational role-models. No, I ain't moving to the A-K, but if you can make it there, I can make it here, even if I only have 1/10th of your skills and cojones! GO GO GO!

Viva -- Sager

Plickety Cat said...

I've no doubt you'll do fine wherever you end up! Just takes a little muleheadedness.

And Sager, my dearest, today was just for you... I carried wood and chopped water :D

Marybeth said...

Good luck!!! I hope you finish in time.

Anonymous said...

pictures, pictures, pictures, pictures, pictures, pictures, pictures, pictures, pictures, pictures, pictures, pictures, pictures, pictures, pictures,

Anonymous said...

Halloween is here. Must be too busy to post an update. Anxious to here if you're all dried in.

Anonymous said...

Second that. Suspense is killing me. Okay, not *killing* but I've definitely got my fingers and toes crossed that ya'll are getting it all together...

VIVA -- Sager

Anonymous said...

Hope you are in, and sitting around a good fire. But afraid this week has been hell for you both, with the pressure and frustration of doing so many needed things at once. Building, keeping warm, moving, keeping warm, eating, keeping warm, sleeping, keeping warm, discussing next move, keeping warm, etc., etc.
Do hope all is well.

Anonymous said...

Make Love, not war.