Mantle

The fireplaces are in need of a mantle.  The question was what to use.  I asked if a big stone from the creek bed would be possible.  The crew was game to try.  A hike up the creek with the dogs produced two huge, submerged pieces of limestone.  They were hauled to the construction site with the all terrain fork lift.  A diamond-blade saw cut across the slab giving us a flat back to insert into the dry-stack fireplace rocks.  The face of the stone protrudes about ten inches giving the coolest mantle imaginable.  I commented the crew is becoming very innovative and artistic.  The reply, "You have to be on a project like this!" 

The large rock below the mantle was part of the collection reclaimed from the original Hamilton Cabin site in Alabama.  It frames the top opening of the firebox and took five guys, rollers, and a hoist to set it into place.  Upon my arrival the stone masons asked if I liked the rock.  I LOVE the rock, but did they really expect me to say anything else like "Uh, not really, remove it and try another one...no, wait, I guess I liked the first one best...put it back..."  Really there was no other answer to their question!  It is perfect.

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...

Window Wall and Walkway

The window wall has been installed between the dining area and screened porch.  The five sections can accordion open all the way or function as a single door on the fireplace side.  It will be stained to match the other wood.  You can see it through the porch.  Oh, how glorious it will be on days where the temperature invites the outside into the cabin through the large opening.

The walkway between the garage and main cabin entrance are in place.  Mike carefully selected large pieces of limestone as the base for each beam.  The guys have also begun to frame in the garage.  The stone masons, chinking guys, electrician, plumber, solar team...work was going on everywhere I looked.  That's good news after all the weather delays of the late summer and early fall. 

Chink-a-dink

Larry has begun the process of chinking between the logs on the Hamilton Cabin.  Each gap is filled with a dense foam produce, nailed into place, and skim coated with a 3/8" layer of resilient buff-colored chinking material.  The high-tech material is designed to expand and contract with weather conditions while maintaining its adhesion to the logs.

This beam is the most beautiful one in the entire project - if you ask me, that is.  It is on the front left corner of the writer's room.  The ax marks, coloring, age and patina are remarkable.  I love the way the sealant has brought out the deep tones like burnished copper.  The wood makes my heart sing!