Topping the Chimney(s)

Oh, how beautiful the completed tops of the triple fireplace are.  That little band of rock really sets it off.  This stack of chimneys vents the cooking fireplace on the porch, the fireplace in the dining/kitchen area, and the fireplace opening in the master bedroom.  The spring weather and blue skies was also a welcome part of the day. 

Clawfoot Tub Niche

The stone masons have done it again!  They have completed the interior walls where the tub will be placed.   What a glorious spot for soaking after a day of hiking, canoeing, cycling, or gardening.  Notice the rock in the center directly below the ledge - Myron found a Tennessee-shaped rock and gave it top billing!

Log-Skins

What a big thrill to see the first of the "log skins" applied to the main cabin.  The Hamilton Cabin was a "re-stack" which means an old cabin was taken down and re-assembled in basically the same configuration.  The main cabin has conventional walls with the insulation, plumbing, and electrical in the usual wall space.  Then reclaimed logs are ripped to produce an interior and exterior skin from one log.  The ends are left whole in order to dovetail the corners on the exterior.  Welcome sunshine and spring temperatures have aided the crew in making great progress.

Adventures in the Hollow Log

Our two year old nephew is just the size to traverse the entire length of the hollow log!  A weekend gathering of my parents, three sisters, and six children (ages 2 - 11) made for a great outdoor playtime.  The older cousins gathered together supplies, used a hatchet, and lots of creativity to fashion a fort in the woods.  There was the first obstacle of crossing the creek...the solution - a bridge! 

Walkway

A walkway connecting the garage with the main cabin sounded fine, but I had no idea how stunning it would actually be!  Beautiful hewn timbers support the structure.  Our roofers did a marvelous job of installing the cedar shingles in the most artistic manner. 

Lunch Creativity

Cold days, beef stew, and a construction heater...add one cinder block and voila!  Hot lunch.  It worked so well the top nearly exploded off the container!  Wilderness fosters creativity and ingenuity. 

The Guts

The guts:  wiring, plumbing, and insulation are nearly completed.  As soon as the soil hardens up after the rain and snow the electrical wire will be able to be run through the conduit to bring power down from the ridge to the cabin.  Although the solar panels have been installed, the winter weather prevented any more progress for the past six weeks.