Devin's Room

Devin was able to visit the cabin today.  Grandad made a plywood ramp into the main doorway so she could roll into her bedroom.  She approves! 

The screened porch is framed in on the main cabin now.  The timbers and rough wood give it the most incredible feel.  Everyone is very enthusiastic about the porch and how wonderfully it contributes to the overall project.  This view is from the porch over the pond towards the Hamilton Cabin. The photo below show Myron, Frank, and John laying the rocks up the chimney above the porch roof.

All the leaves are off the trees now.  Another season is upon us.  Hopefully next fall we will be sitting on the porch watching the leaves while the fireplace gives off its warmth.

 

Dreaming of Electricity

Mr. Ed has the tracker installed, wired into the control room, inverters and batteries installed, and is dreaming that it all will work as planned.  He has tested to see that the tracker really does track the sun.  There are more connections to make, but we are really on our way towards electricity!  A generator will be installed to bolster the batteries in the event a string of cloudy days causes us to deplete their storage capacity. 

Sunshiny Days

At last, weather forecasts for sunny days all week have pumped new life into the construction efforts.  A trip up the ridge gave the first glimpse of the solar tracker installation underway.  The ridge timber has been cut in the last 15-20 years, so the new growth is small and thus won't require very much additional clearing.  The space where we have cleared will be perfect to plant some fruit trees that will not grow high enough to block the solar panels. 

The roofing crew has begun working on the main cabin.  The interesting angles look great with the cedar shingles and copper flashing in the valleys.  I realized upon my approach to the site, that each time I am excited to see what the craftsmen have accomplished since my last visit.  It is a feeling that I am enjoying their project.  And then, out of the blue, it will occur to me that this beautiful structure is our cabin! 

During the crew's lunch break, when the generator was switched off, I walked the circumference of the meadow, ending up sitting on my favorite rock ledge above the creek.  In the crisp autumn air and golden light, I closed my eyes listening to the sound of the water.  I found myself silently repeating, "I'm so grateful..." until tears rolled down my cheeks.  Creation reflects the glory of its Maker and I am drawn into His presence when I delight in it.