2025
But the next day it started to melt. Then it started to rain. The combination of the two turned some of the skidder roads into swampy creeks.
It's been a very low snow winter so far. But we did get some snow on New Years Day.
Dan started sheeting the stairwell so he could build the stairs. The first row of plywood he could reach from the stairs below.
But for the rest of the month, we had mostly gorgeous days that were sunny and dry.
Because of the weeks of dry weather, the water in the rock pit pond drained out the bottom. Leaving the ice on the top to move downward and break on the rocks below.
The fire in the LA area caused our Son and Daughter-in-law to evacuate their home for about a week and a half. But this beautiful picture was taken here at home, fortunately just of an awesome sunset.
Once the stairwell was sheeted, he started installing the stringers he had cut.
Then he made a trap door that he could lower while working on the stairwell and put a ladder on.
Which made it possible for him to sheet the wall to the top.
He also installed the concrete board on the riser wall so I could start my rock project.
We managed to work the Genie Lift around the rocks and share the space.
The stringers are 20' long and do not make the turn to go into the stairwell area.
So, he loaded a skirt board and a few stringers onto the Genie Lift, and we lifted them up to the loft.
Then we lowered them down into the stairwell.
Once I had my pattern drawn onto the cement board and the chicken wire attached, I began putting up the rocks.
On this end we left it open. We can work the cabinet layout around it and I really like the look of this corner from the entry way.
Once the skirtboards and stringers were in place, the cleats added, and the metal bracing attached, it was ready for some temporary treads.
We decided to install temporary plywood treads so that during construction our Black walnut treads (which aren't made yet anyway) wouldn't get marred up.
Dan installed the skirt board, stringer, and temporary treads around the timbers.
We wanted as much of the timber as possible to show. Later we will add paneling to cover the plywood.
He framed in the brace area on this end because it is mostly covered on the stair side and will be covered on this side with cabinets.
February 1st it started to snow. Just lightly at first.
Dan extended the plug-ins out to the edge of the rock, and I am making progress up the wall.
I am starting to see the pattern take shape. I altered the pattern from my original plan a little because I thought I might not have enough of the brown rock, but have plenty of the gray beach stone.
The stairs turned out great, even with the temp treads and no risers yet. It is awesome not to have to climb the ladder to get to the loft anymore.
The dogs are really curious about what's up the stairs. We let them go up, one at a time, to check it out.
But, while we do have a temporary safety rail around the stairs, the loft edges are still open so no playing up there yet.
The rock riser walls are coming along, and I am making it to the top in several areas.
Soon I will be cutting and fitting the flagstone window sill.
Beautiful days all the way through the last day of January.
She jumped down into the water and rescued the ball that floated next to the ice.
And it started getting cold. The creeks developed ice dams. Which was helpful for Remi, who likes to drop her ball in the creeks and chase them. The ice keeps the ball from getting away, but BRRR.
Back to home page.
But slowly the snow is adding up and we are starting to have some winter.