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.

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.

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But slowly the snow is adding up and we are starting to have some winter.

We love getting out and playing in the snow!

We come across all kinds of tracks. These belong to a bobcat that has been hanging around and doing a little timber rat hunting in an abandoned trailer on a neighboring property. And he is welcome to all he finds!

Abby doesn't like the log foot bridge when it snows.

She uses the log instead.

By mid-February, still not much snow but plenty of cold.

Dan built me a little jig to install rocks over the windows.

I can mortar the rock to the wall in a nice level line, then remove the jig after it is well set.

Then using foam insulation cut-offs I prop up rocks and mortar them to the top of the opening, having allowed room for them to be covered by the face of the wall.

Dan added temporary shop lights to the future kitchen area on the main floor.

And turned it into a functioning shop area. Right now our real shop is a materials storage area. It also doesn't have its loft built and nor is it insulated. So, a crowded, dark, cold shop is not going to get it done!

Dan got the cement backer board up on the north riser wall, then I drew the pattern, attached the wire, and started the rock on that side.

Playing with rocks is a good way to spend a cold winters day:)

By the first of March the snow was gone, and we were hiking in the sunshine.

And it was pleasant enough to sit outside and....

watch Christine paint a beautiful picture of the mountain!

Once I am to the top of the riser wall, I can cut and fit the flagstone pieces.

This is very messy. By the time I finish a session I am covered in the white stone residue, just like the top of my shoes. Dan calls me 'ol chalky face :)

But it is worth it for the finished look.

And besides for using the messy wet saw, I kinda like fitting all the pieces together like a puzzle.

And our dogs like to put their feet up on the window sill to look out. With stone windowsills I won't have to worry about damage from doggy feet (at least once the mortar cures).

Then we started the framing in the loft. We started with the bathroom because we wanted to finish the plumbing and venting systems.

And that's what they did next. With this in place we can finish out the master bathroom and have a potty and running water on the main floor.

Dan also got back to working the timbers, as we would need them before we can continue framing in the loft.

It's not the time of year to be sanding timbers outside and sanding inside would fill the dome with dust (we already have as much as we can deal with) so they started sealing off the guest bedroom for a sanding room.

And while Dan timber framed, Mike sanded.

We have a large woodpecker working on this dead tree. I have named him "Chainsaw" because it almost looks like chainsaw art. At first it was just a couple of little holes and I didn't know who the artist was, but then I saw him working!

Winter is not quite over. With a final hurrah at the end of March, we got a little more snow.

Now that's a cold drink of water!

By the beginning of April the timber pile was beginning to grow. As they were finished they were put on the Genie lift and moved to the loft.

With some of the timbers finished they started installing. The first one was a bit tricky. It had to be mitered to fit against the dome at just the right height.

It was a compound compound cut through the mortise and tenon joint.

But after some head scratchin' and figuring, and cutting some practice cuts on 2x4s they got it!

Now you may be wondering why we just didn't move it over away from the dome a bit. Well, we couldn't because of where the cupola stairs will land. We would either have to make the stairs steeper, which we didn't want to do, or have the last step stick out into the doorway. Which is not to code and would be a tripping hazard anyway. So, they figured out the cut and made it work.

Then it was time for the next doorway. It wasn't any easier because it had to be mitered also to accommodate the stairs from the main floor below.

The timber posts have a small tenon on the bottom to keep them in place.

With mortises in the sheathing the timbers drop into place.

Just have to get them to fit into the mortises and up against the dome at the same time.

Time consuming and not without some effort, but a job done beautifully!

Next, they added some support and covered the stairway with plywood. Then they framed the wall between the two timber doorways. 

Covering the stairway put the stairs out of commission for a while.

So it was back to ladders for a while.

They built a safety rail on the north side of the loft.

They added the framing above the doorways and sheeted the wall. The wall is left open on top to give the space openness and air flow. The sleeping areas are too small for bedrooms, but I wanted to build in more privacy than an open sleeping loft.

While they had the area cleared and the stairs covered, they used a plumb bob to mark the pentagon corners on the floor. We will need these marks to build the pentagon room beneath the cupola.

Then they opened the stairs back up.

They used our dog gate railing as a safety rail on the south side. This is the side we use the Genie lift to bring up materials, so we needed a rail that is more movable.

The great PNW! Springtime is green and lush!

The early flowers are blooming, the birds are singing.

The dogs are splashing, and the frogs are croaking.

When we drew the floor plan this was going to be a vacation cabin, and we decided not to have a master bath. But once we decided to live here, we wanted one. So, the shower in the main bath was moved, our bedroom closet was moved, and this closet became a small master bathroom. 

Because of the size of the room, the door can't open inward. And it can't open out either because it will conflict with the bedroom door.

So, we are using a pocket door. But there is not enough room on either side of the door for a full-size pocket. That leaves us with the option of two conjoining pocket doors.

Then they put down the flooring so they could install the toilet flanges in the loft bathroom and in the master bathroom.

Finding 20" doors that I liked proved a little difficult. Lots of 18" and 24" but little selection in 20". I found these in a kit and Dan and Mike put them together. They needed a lot of love and it might have been faster just to build them.

But while I was looking for doors they installed cedar on the other walls.

Once we had the doors, they built the pocket wall.

Then they installed the wiring and insulated.

Once the cedar walls and pine ceiling were all in, I put on a nice finish. As soon as it cures a bit, we can put the whole thing together.

The rock on all four of the lower sills is finished.

The stone in both the living room and dining room areas is complete, including the sealer.

With no sanding going on in the sanding room (guest room), I got the stone installed in that room.

The new south facing windowsills are a great place to get some plant starts going.

With more timbers complete they started framing the east end of the loft.

Also working on the pellet stove area on the main floor because the top of that wall is the loft southeast wall.

I love it when the bear grass and the wildflowers start to bloom. 

We took my Mom on a trip to Sisters, OR.

And came back with some metal garden art, and old balance scale for the grandkids to explore and an authentic wagon wheel from a covered wagon for my fireplace wall.

Dug out the dandelions and planted my shade plants.

Hi,   I'm Remi

Hi, I'm Earl

Is that all you do?

Yep

Oh

They cut and fit the top plates of the walls to the dome. Both top and bottom of the upcoming stone facade.

Then framed the wall to the top plate and installed the wiring in that area.

The top part of the wall has framing to accommodate the hub of the wagon wheel.

Once the framing, wiring, and insulation is complete, they start installing the Hardie rock backer board. An air circulation vent is installed behind the back wall, and a hatch is provided to service it when needed.

We had all the kids and grandkids up to the dome! They played a game where they had to find clues, solve puzzle boxes, and find gold for the Leprechaun. They used the balance scale we bought on our trip to Sisters in May to weigh the gold to give to the leprechaun for the final clue.

We don't have a lot of (like any) flat ground to build a tractor/snow cat barn on. So, we (liberal use of we:) are going to make some.

Dan has created a nice level base to start the wall on.

Getting a good base and setting the base row of blocks is the most difficult part, the rest is just massive amounts of physical labor.

Once the base row of 90lb blocks are placed, they will be filled with the same crushed rock as the compacted base below them. And the form next to the blocks will holds clean (no fines) crushed drain rock.

Dan covers the whole thing while backfilling with dirt to keep the dirt from infiltrating the rock.

The second course gets a french drain installed to keep water from building up in the soil behind the wall. Then it gets covered with fabric. And the blocks get filled with the drain rock.

After the dirt is backfilled to that level, the form is removed, and the soil gets compacted. The rock behind the wall is called a curtain drain. Allowing water to drain down to the french drain below.

Every other row, a material called Geo-grid is installed under the block, across the drain rock and into the soil. This helps tie in the wall to the soil.

Then more blocks are added, forms are installed, rock is placed, soil is moved, watering and compacting is happening, and up it goes.

With the excavating done and materials now on hand, the building of the retaining wall can begin.

Bruce installed a payphone down the road a bit. It works in the sense that you can pay, but not in the sense that it is a phone. :)

Next it is time to hang the wagon wheel. 

Using an assortment of straps, Dan ratchets the wheel up into place.

He removes the straps to get them out of the way and chains it temporarily. Then secures it well to the wall with the custom shims he made.

Now he can remove the cleat above the wheel and finish sheeting the wall with Hardi board.

Putting the backside of the hub into the framed hole in the wall.

Grandkids at the dome again, Yah, while their parents are on a trip celebrating their anniversary.

We are starting to have enough accommodations to have the kids here instead of always going to their house! 

(The blocks weigh 90 pounds each).

After installing the header, Dan cuts the ramp joists.

Time to start the ramp project. Holes are drilled in the steel deck joist to attach the ramp header.

Joists, posts, blocking, and metal brackets are installed. And the corner railing post supports are added.

I decided I had too many pots to mow around so I created a bed, added cardboard mulch,

filled it with gravel and...

added lots of flower pots!

During our summer dome party, I asked some of the guys to carry my cast iron bathtub into the garden.

A few days later I planted dwarf raspberries bushes in it.

In mid-August we had a couple of days of welcome rain. The dogs enjoyed playing in the water while it lasted.

Next Dan added some more substrate to the pellet stove area.

He made cleats and attached them, then made the rest of the post and attached it to the cleat. 

Modifying the post that fits up against the dome.

Then covering them with Hardi board because tile wont stick to wood well.

I tiled them before he built the rest so I wouldn't have to tile around the rails.

The wood around the bottom is the height of the furture hearth.

Then he added the rails...

And using a product called PL Premium we just glued the tile to the rails.

And now we have a non-combustible fence for my stone art scene in the stove area.

Dan finished making and installing the railing post support pieces (level pads for the posts so that they are not slanted like the ramp) and he and Bruce installed the Trex decking.

It needs railings and some gravel at the bottom, but it turned out very well.

The plan is to bury the retaining wall. Code says we can build a 4' retaining wall without a permit. But that doesn't leave any room to get around the building. To make more room we would have to move the retaining wall out on the bank, making a taller retaining wall. By burying it, we can push dirt out and make access room while still keeping the bank in place for the building.

Making progress on the wall.

Capping the wall.

Backfilling the area.

Ready for a barn!

While they were hauling up dirt from our landing below, I gathered some of the red rubble out of the pile for my project. 

I laid some of it out to measure and estimated I need nine buckets worth.

And scrubbed it. And discovered some of it disintegrated so I needed more.

And eleven buckets of beach rock.

And some larger corner rock. My saw can't cut rocks this size so I purchased these.

And I purchased some thin flagstone and...

cut them into strips and dyed them green.

On a side note of our main projects, we hosted hunters a few times, helped pack meat...

and witnessed our oldest grandson marrying his beautiful bride.

I needed a little more substate work in the stove area and Dan was occupied on the barn project, so meanwhile, I made a little patio for my garden table:)

It needs landscaping but that's it for now...

Installing the big corner rocks on the column and big flat rocks on the bottom, leaving room for the "grass" behind them.

because it's time to start putting up rock on the stove surround.

The "grass" was more difficult than I anticipated. It just didn't want to stay where I wanted it to be!

But eventually I got one side done.

Then on to the horizontal beach rock which makes up the "field".

More beach rock and filling the spaces in between the large rocks on the column.

And while I played with my rocks, Dan and Bruce were working on the tractor barn.

Digging holes with a rented skid steer. 

Then placing the poles in the holes.

Making sure they are in the right place and that the building is squared up.

After everything is well braced, the holes are filled with concrete.

The best part of a concrete job is when it's done!!!

The season has gotten away from us a bit and we have decided to put the build on hold till spring. If we keep going this year it may have to go through the winter half built. And we have a "getting ready for winter" list we need to get through also.

Dan got the cable railings installed on the ramp.

And we got the motorhome ready and took it down off the hill. So much more of a pleasant job without snow on the ground. And the Autumn colors are beautiful!

Harvesting the last of the garden.

The flowers are all going to seed and the critters are feeding off of them.

But we have another timber rat, and I think I know where he is.

And there is snow on the mountain shouting ready or not winter is coming!

More work on the stove surround. Trying to defy gravity with stones.

I do remember telling myself not to do more archways. Guess I didn't listen. 

Dan cut a panel to fit over the maintenance hatch. He added wood dowels to attached knobs to and pipe pieces I can rock around leaving the ability to put a screw in the pipe hole and attach it to the wall.

Then I added the large river rock and the grass. It is one heavy hatch cover, but it will blend well.

Dan is back inside and working on the framing on the loft level. First the walls for the last room needs to be located.

To find the location of the walls, he uses the marks that he and Mike made on the floor back in April.

April 2025

The arrows show the marks on the floor. Then the wall line is moved out twelve inches from that.

The last two timber frame doorway surrounds are fitted, and mortises are cut into the plywood to accept the tenons on the bottom of the posts.

Then it is raised and secured while he works on the other one.

It's really hard to get far enough back to take pictures of what's going on so I'm adding some drawings for explanation purposes.

These are the five timbered doorways in the loft. The two in the middle are part of the room beneath the cupola. The ceiling of that room will be the floor of the cupola room.

With a birds eye view, looking down where the cupola is, you can see that the pentagon room is partially over the stairs below.

Dan makes the pentagon wall plates and fits them together. Then frames the walls. Leaving the wall along the stair line open for now.

It is a small room, but with moving the walls out twelve inches it gives it a little more space. And the joists and sheathing for the ceiling still fit under the dome roof with about four inches between the floor and the dome ceiling. Just enough air flow to allow hot air out in the summer.

The start of the plywood sheeting. The walls are 9'11". It worked out to that by calculating where we wanted the floor of the cupola in relation to the cupola windows. Then we allowed room for the flooring, sheathing, and joists. giving us our wall measurement.

The timbered doors have transoms above, so the curtains can be closed for a little privacy and still have some air flow for heat or cooling.

And you may have noticed in the above pictures, a third opening that is not timbered but is a framed opening in the wall between the two doorway walls. This is not a third door but rather a void in the wall that will accommodate the marble run we plan to install going through all four floors, from the cupola to the basement.

Dan has not built the wall along the stairs yet because the cupola stairs go right through this wall. So, the stairs and the wall will have to be built somewhat together.

To start the first section of cupola stairs, the stairs from the main floor to the loft need a working platform over them. 

We didn't close the stairs off completely so we don't have to use a ladder again, but we do have to duck!!!

Once upon a time...this building was built by Dan's Great Grandfather and Great, Great Grandfather on their homestead in Iowa. Through Dan's cousin once removed (Hah, I think I got that right) who still lives in the area we became the recipient of some of its boards.

We've been anticipating using them somewhere in our build/decor at the dome.

And now we are ready to use one of these cool boards. This one is almost 18 inches wide, still has visible circle sawn marks, and is well weathered on one end. The only issue is it is too long for the spot I would like to use it in.

I wanted to keep both ends of the board, so Dan cuts 14 inches out of the center. We have two of these wide boards and will leave the other one whole. And we have another use for this center piece so it won't be wasted. 

Then using his biscuit joiner, he cuts slots in both sections of the board so he can insert biscuits and rejoin the two pieces.

Then cleats were added to stand the board off the wall, and I rocked up to it and mortared behind it.

We made a cut-out for one of the rocks right at the seam. I intend to hang a picture to the top of the cut-out, hiding the seam but still showing a little board beneath the picture.

We will mount the picture a couple of inches from the top, using a cast iron dragonfly to hide the top of the seam.

Almost ready to start the red rubble road!