2020
We closed the sale of our Northwoods cabin the end of January. We spent a few days moving out and cleaning. Then we turned the keys over and said goodbye to our cabin. Dan built this cabin more than 42 years ago. Seems weird that it is no longer ours.
There have been some big changes in our lives this year and it's only February!
Dan has retired from his tax practice. He has cut back from over 150 clients to mostly just a few family members. This just leaves him with his full time job in town.
With very little tax season obligations Dan has time to work in the shop. He has been being busy planing timbers.
He finished planing all the timbers for the utility shed porch and the entry way door surround.
2-10-20
I went to the dome to see if I could work on my rock project. There was only about three inches of snow but it was frozen and a little slippery. With getting my cast off a month ago I thought I had enough strength but I was having trouble pushing the wheelbarrow in the snow. So I decided to wait for another day.
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2-15-20
Snow report- 10 inches and snowing.
Would you rather have a vision of 2020 or have hind sight?
3-21-20
Snow is melted enough to get to the dome.
3-23-20 Snow is back.
3-31-20 More snow. Bruce has been letting me know when he thinks I can make it up the hill.
Wake me up when it's time to go.
I made it to the dome and got a little more done on my project.
4-4-20
I'm getting too old for this.
4-6-20
The snow is gone except a little on the edges and in the shady spots.
The end is in site for installing the stone.
The arches have been really time consuming because each stone has to be supported till it dries.
Dan installed some wood pieces to a cleat and attached it to studs in the wall for support.
Now I can add my hooks and they will be well supported.
4-11-20
With the snow finally gone we started the season clearing more area and burning brush.
Bruce used his dump truck with a boom on the front to bring up the bigger trees.
Then Dan limbed them.
And Bruce drug them to the pile.
4-16-20
I finished all the stone work and started the acid wash. It is turning out great.
4-22-20
Once the mortar had a chance to cure we could have a fire.
Using a little plastic sheeting we have a temporary apartment.
Not everyone has a bench vice on their kitchen counter. Great when you can't get your pickles open.
We now have 16 very heavy L16 batteries for our solar power system.
4-26-20
Next we started clearing the site for solar panels.
The stumps also had to go because we have to dig a 6' deep and 5' wide hole for the pole to be concreted in.
Bruce could dig about 5' deep with his tractor backhoe attachment.
Then the rest had to be hand dug and removed with a bucket and rope.
The hole will take a little more than 3 yards of concrete. We will bring up a concrete truck and also take care of a few other concrete things.
Dan started forming up pads for steps.
Dan and Bruce finished the insulation on the basement exterior walls.
5-9-20
With a rebar cage welded to the bottom, the pole is ready to go into the hole.
Bruce lifts it up with the tractor while Dan guides the bottom with a rope.
Next is to feed wire through a conduit in a ditch from the pole to the basement power room.
Then fill the ditch back in.
5-10-20
Onto building forms for stair pads for the deck steps.
A couple smaller stumps were removed before the final form was placed.
This will be a pad where the ramp on the end of the deck will land.
The pole all braced and ready to be poured.
5-14-20
Concrete day.
The truck was able to get close enough to all our forms so no concrete had to be wheelbarrowed. Ya!
There was a light rain so all the forms had to be tarped.
Then the power pole hole was filled.
It doesn't look like such a big hole now.
Now Dan just has to be patient enough for the concrete to cure before mounting the rack and solar panels.
5-9-20
Beauty day on the ridge top.
5-17-20
The power room gets sheeted, painted, and the first electrical components get installed.
5-23-20
They mount the rack and solar panels on the pole.
More work in the power room.
Wow. Looks simple right?
Fortunately I don't have to figure it out! All the components came from Backwoods Solar and they are very helpful with questions.
Almost ready to start getting our power from the sun.
5-24-20
I painted the battery box Dan built.
5-31-20
Running wiring in the dome. The wiring in the dome shell has to be completed before the spray foam insulators show up.
A few of the blocking pieces had to be removed so a chase can be attached around the pellet shove chimneys. Dan doesn't build things to be taken apart so this was a bit of a challenge. It would be a bummer to fill our chimney openings with foam.
The masking begins.
6-6-20
Prefitting the entry timber frame.
6-6-20
Dan and Josh put all the batteries in the box.
6-13-20
This weekend is all about getting ready for the insulators.
The vent chases were installed and masked.
The on demand water heater vents were brought up, and into the dormer wall, and through to the outside. Hopefully high enough to avoid being blocked by snow.
Then the entry frame was assembled and raised.
After the dome was jacked up and bearing weight on the timber frame the wall was framed.
6-15-20
The insulators arrived Monday morning.
One of them started insulating in the cupola.
And one of them started insulating the timber frame bedroom.
The next day while one worked his way down the other worked his way up.
On day three they finished spraying, and scraping, and started clean up.
Austin started unmasking the timber frame.
And Buck collected the tape for us.
While they were working on that I put a clear coat on the timber frame.
They wiring was finished and the solar array was aimed. We now have power from the SUN!
Since we are using a small space in the basement for our living space, and Buck is a big dog, we decided to let him have the lower wood box for now.
Dan ran strings on our axis points. Then we measured off the strings to lay out the main floor walls. Then they cut holes for the plumbing vents and drains on the main floor.
6-28-20
We installed the window and front door in the entry way timber frame. The door is fiberglass with a wood look. Hopefully it will stand up to our harsher weather.
It needs to get trimmed out, but I love the wide door.
Our steps are going to come off the front of the timber frame and encroach into the driveway. This will make pulling the trailer around the circle very tight. So we've been wanting to do some changes to the driveway.
7-6-20
We hired Breaking Ground to do some excavating for us. Joe, one of their operators, carved the hump off the driveway area.
And he carved down the future gazebo spot to get more dirt.
Then in between gravel loads that Vince brought us, they used the dump truck to move the dirt.
The road was built up and made wider.
Then it was rocked.
And now Dan will have plenty of room to swing the trailer around after the steps are built.
Next David arrived to rebuild our rock wall. We moved it over a little to make backing down to the wood shed and basement easier.
In 2015 when we poured the pads for the deck posts and timber frame posts the rock wall was in the way. Part of it was moved and stacked in a pile to be repaired later.
There was a lot of rock buried behind the rock wall that came from excavating for the basement.
He extended the rock a little closer to the timber frame which locked in the retaining wall and gave more of a view of the wall from the deck.
There are three bumper rocks at the end to keep cars off the edge of the wall.
I love the new rock wall and the added parking spot.
And since we are staying in the basement the extra width for backing down to the door is really handy right now.
With all the extra rocks I was able to add some extra hardscape elements.
David built a small rock wall around the little grove of trees by the future gazebo spot....
and added some rocks in the front yard (plants to come later). Moving the parking away from the main windows.
That way when you go into the dome and look out the windows instead of seeing vehicles you see the view.
Our cable railing system from Cable Bullet arrived. We got it all out of the boxes and started laying it out. We didn't have the necessary hardware for attaching it to the deck this trip, but next time we will get started.
7-19-20
All the vents for the plumbing fixtures in the basement and for on the main floor are now complete.
Our two EZ Tankless water heaters are hung. The shelf for the 10 gallon storage tank (part of the recirculation system) is built.
We took a load of Ipe (ee-pay) wood to the dome to make top railings out of. IPE is a very dense Brazilian hard wood, standing up well in harsh climates.
Dan and Bruce get all the metal posts attached and secured.
Using the leveling system of the Bullet Cable System they get all the posts level and plumb.
We are pretty pleased with the quality and look of the posts.
Next, Bruce installed all the "Bullets" in the metal posts.
The base attaches to the deck, then has a nice cover plate to hide the bolts. The tensioning bullets are inserted into the post. There is a nice piece of hardware at the top for installing a railling.
Dan and Mike have several days sanding and drilling the Ipe top rails. Because the wood is so dense it drills slow, sands slow, and every screw hole has to be pre-drilled.
At the home shop Dan made some Ipe posts to go next to the timber frames. Using their bullet tap he made holes in the posts to receive the bullets.
He also made four larger holes to accommodate the lag bolts.
Ten posts ready to be installed. Ipe wood has varying colors.
He also cut Ipe plugs to cover the bolts after they are installed.
Dan and Bruce installing the first wooden post.
The timber frame top rails were installed first.
We decided to go with wood posts within the timber frames and metal posts on the rest of the deck.
8-2-20
Our hunters who bow hunt came up to do a scouting hike and spent the night under the stars.
The top rail is made of a 2x4 bottom piece and a 2x6 top piece.
I started raking the rubble out of my front yard. Unfortunately some of the small looking rubble ended up being big rocks partly exposed on top.
I got most of them, but Dan helped me get the larger, more stubborn ones out.
Finally it's raked out and ready for my stepping stone project.
Bruce finished siding the bathroom dormer and I did some painting.
I painted a coat of super primer on the concrete as the paint wasn't holding up well on the concrete.
We got the first section of cable up. It's pretty cool. I like it.
Making progress.
I cleaned the wood railing and oiled it with a product called Ipe oil.
After I got the wood posts oiled, Mike installed the "bullets" in the wood.
At home, Dan made a cabinet for the water manifold.
Then they cut the wall to install the cabinet.
He cut riser pieces.
And I painted them.
Bruce installed them. And now we have steps.
Dan cut and fit the copper pipe for the water manifold, then Bruce soldered it together.
Mike cleaned and polished the copper. Then Bruce sprayed it with lacquer.
Dan now has a lot of cable installed. Starting at the ramp end of the deck to here.
I will photo and post the details of this cool system before he finishes.
But for right now I'm working on a project in my new front yard.
Making concrete flagstones!
We unearthed a lot of big rocks while developing our site, but no flagstones. And since I can make them for a fraction of what it would cost to buy and haul them, I'm trying that. Besides I've really been wanting to try this.
9-7-20
The propane main line passed its pressure test. On to more plumbing.
9-8-20
Big Hollow Fire.
Bruce sent us these pics of the fire across the reservoir from us.
The water system Dan designed and Dan and Bruce have been installing is complicated and yet makes sense. It is fully drainable so no freeze issues when we leave.
The water enters in the pump room, gets filtered, pressurized, regulated, and sent on to the utility room.
In the utility room their are two on-demand water heaters. We have very cold well water so the first heater will partially heat the water, then send it onto the next heater to heat it to the desired temp. They are manifolded to allow easy service and draining.
There is also a buffering tank. This eliminates the "cold water sandwich" which can be created by on demand water heaters. It will also give us low volume hot water, not needing to meet the flow requirements on-demand water heaters need. The buffering tank is a ten gallon water heater which has had its thermostat disconnected from the heating element and connected to a recirculation pump.
There is also a house manifold system. We will be able to turn water on in the areas we want to use. For example if its just the two of us for a weekend maybe we just need to energize one bathroom and the kitchen. But if we have company we can turn on what ever we need.
The black pipe is the propane to the water heaters.
The smoke reflects the glow of the fire.
9-27-20
Taking a little break from plumbing we got some trim installed on the guest bedroom dormer.
New snow on the mountain.
Installing the cables.
The first step is to lubricate the "Bullets".
Next, if a spacer bar is needed, it is taped to the post and cable is threaded though it and the post.
Dan made a holder for the crimper tool. It held it stable which made crimping a little easier and quicker.
The cable is a quality stainless steel that comes in rolls.
Very tiny hardware is provided.
The end of the cable is threaded through the post and....
Put into the crimper with a lobed washer and a crimp sleeve and crimped.
Then it is ready to be installed into the bullet.
Using the allen wrench the set screw is tightened.
The wire is measured by pulling it to the other post.
The cutters do a nice job with a good clean cut.
After the section is complete the tape is removed and the spacer bar is moved to the middle and tightened with a set screw at the top.
And after 17 sections with 22 connectors (11 at each end) the railings are finished.
With this system there are no turnbuckles. We love the clean, sleek look.
10-4-20
The sun is back and the new snow on the mountain has melted.
I took some plants up to plant before the fall weather turns to winter.
My picks are suppose to do well here and are resistant to deer and rabbits. I hope the deer and rabbits know that.
The winter season feels just around the corner.
And with the wind a whip'n and the rain a com'n we are back inside to do some plumb'n.
Dang, spell check didn't like that last sentence.
Hot and cold Pex pipe going to and from the water manifold. And a drain valve system installed.
We now have plumbing in the bathroom to the shower, bathtub, and toilet. And plumbing in the utility room to the laundry and utility sink.
10-26-20
And we have water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy almost birthday to me. I think I will go flush the toilet just for the fun of it!
We got a new propane refrigerator. It didn't come with door magnets or family pictures, but I can fix that. Refrigeration is a very cool thing and a freezer is even cooler.
With a little more nice weather we are back outside.
I put up ice and water shield on the front entrance wall, Bruce installed the side steps and some siding on the dormer, and Dan finished the cable railing.
I got the plants in the ground and unloaded the compost soil into the bed. Buck couldn't understand the part about staying off the plants. I had to add small rocks around the plants to discourage him.
I added a few more ferns and then...
11-10-20
Winter arrived.
Hey Buck, is it still snowing? Guess so.
Next is lighting. We don't have ceilings yet so Dan made boards to hold the lights.
Since I like bright light and Dan likes dim light we are using dimmers on all the lights.
Most of the rooms have just one switch. But the rooms with many lights have multiple switches so we can have more control over our power consumption.
Igor! Throw the switch!
We have expanded our living space to using the whole rec room, with a curtain partition in the middle to heat up the sleeping area quickly when arriving on Friday nights.
With it now being bright and warm, I know longer refer to it as the dungeon. We are getting very comfortable here. Harder and harder to go home at the end of the weekend.
With the snow mostly melted they adjusted the angle of the solar array for winter.
Summer angle.
The french doors are painted and have hardware installed. We have a closeable and lockable dome now. And hopefully no more critters or birds inside upstairs!
11-29-20
It was a beautifully mild day for this time of year and I worked outside on my steps for awhile.
The substrate for the fireplace with mantel and hearth is completed.
This basement bathroom is very cold without some kind of heat source. I decided to go with a small propane fireplace instead of a propane heater. Same requirements, same btu's.
The substrate for the tub surround and deck is completed and the step/shelf is added.
They finished installing the cement board and I taped seams and got a start on waterproofing. I am using a product called RedGuard. It goes on pink and dries red.
12-20-20
After several coats of Redguard I put up some chicken wire to help support the stone. I debated on this because the staples penetrate the waterproof membrane. I decided the stone needed at least a little attachment support and that I would
Redguard over the staples. Don't know if this idea is good or bad but it seemed to make sense to me.
Buck: Where do you want me to lay to watch?
For the last many years our Christmas tree has been about 14' tall. This year it was 20". But the meaning was the same.
With the virus on the rise we decided not to have an "in person" big family celebration. We did a zoom gathering playing our exchange game and spending time that way. Then we headed for the mountain and our dome.
It was a beautiful, peaceful, and safe Christmas for us, but we do miss the family and are hoping for more boisterous occasions ahead!
Mike, Christine, and Brandon also found themselves with a quiet Christmas day and came up to spend a little time with us and enjoy the beauty of Mother nature. And she did not disappoint. We had a little fresh snow for a white Christmas.
12-25-20
12-27-20 We woke up to a gorgeous sunrise. Well actually Dan woke up to a gorgeous sunrise then woke me up. But I forgave him because it was so, you know, gorgeous.
12-27-20
We left with night falling on the mountain, our headlights leading the way, and a prayer in our hearts. Karissa's mom had had a stroke. Later news was sad as we learned she had passed a few hours later.
Silent night,
Holy night
All is calm
All is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace