Frozen Mud

Sub-freezing temperatures for several weeks froze the ground, but a promised warming trend gave the crew a small window of opportunity to dig the trenches and hole to bury the conduit from the propane tank connecting both cabins and installing the septic tank.  Within a few days the solid ground will be a muddy mess.  While that was going on, another crew slid the duct work down the ladder into the basement/crawl space of the main cabin completing that installation. 

Orchard

On the ridge where the solar system is located, we found fertile soil and with the clearing we plan to plant fruit trees.  The only requirement is that at maturity they do not exceed 10 feet otherwise they'll block the solar panels.  The winter view is particularly majestic as many ridges undulate as far as you can see towards the eastern horizon.  Sunrises and sunsets are worth the hike.  On New Year's Eve a cold early morning hike allowed a view of the setting "blue moon" (second full moon in a calendar month) to the west while the sun rose in the east. 

Doorways to the New Year

January 2010...the cabin planning began three years ago, site prep nearly two years, construction commenced over a year ago... appropriately doors - beautiful doors - are giving us thresholds to cross over into a new year.  Dave completes the hanging of Hamilton's fabulous dutch door while two of Terry's finely crafted doors are shown at the entrance of the main cabin and its rear basement access.  All exterior doors have now been completed.  The next feat to be tackled is to fit them with reproduction hardware. 

The Tracker Tracks

What an awesome sight to see the solar tracker following the sun as it headed down the western horizon.  Previously, we only viewed the panels from beneath - to see them in the bright sunlight with their iridescent gleam was wonderful.  Power is on its way...