November on the Mountain
Full steam ahead!
Building the front room was the entire focus for November. Since the ceiling will be tall, I built a wooden scaffolding to place the beams and roof joists. Each beam is made out of Douglas Fir and weighs over 250 lbs, so we had to be methodical to get them into place. It’s amazing what two people can do with some ingenuity!
I expected a little snow in September and some more in October. Usually, It gradually adds up until we can no longer drive the road. Not this year. This year there was no snow in September, a tiny bit in October and then, BAM! After a few days of heavy snow, it’s suddenly 3 feet deep! I wasn’t prepared for that and my favourite snow shovel is now lost somewhere in the yard. Good thing I have spares.
We made a last-minute, final run to town for supplies. While there, we decided to spend a night in town and had a much-needed shower. We’re now ready to be snowed in, earlier than last year by 3 weeks. That means that if the road opens in May, it’ll be 6 months before I can drive to town. Snowmobile and snowshoe access from here on!
The addition will be made of 100% our own lumber, which takes a lot of time! Now that the beams are in place and the framing has begun, roof joists will be next. There will be two BIG windows in the front and a door wide enough to take cubes out. As it begins to take shape I’m getting more and more excited for the next steps, framing and insulating.
I haven’t looked under the black tarp since the cubes were filled but I’d bet they’re mostly frozen. Once the insulation and vapour barrier is done it’ll be time to start warming the new front room. Thawing the cubes will take some time and probably a lot of wood. I think that it’ll take weeks. A shower isn’t likely to happen before the new year but, we’ll see!
For a moment between sunset and moon-rise, the world is dark. Then, like a shadowy sunrise, the moon peeks out through the trees to the east. Hitting the treetops across the yard and working its way onto the house. The yard becomes visible again and I think ‘maybe I could go back to work?’ Then I remember how much colder it is at night. My gloves and clothes which were warm and damp during the day, are now frozen and stiff. It’s a time better spent drying out, resting and staying warm. Tomorrow will be another beautiful day.
Very impressive Timbers and good solid structure,won’t be anytime now until your in your new warm living space,great job you too.Stay warm and safe.😎🍻
Great job on the addition. Significantly easier with two people but still a challenge to build with heavy timbers and no large machinery. You both are doing great.
Is your mill all manual? the dogs, keeper, leveling, and feed?
Mine is and it does take a while to do the initial setup of each log, but once I have 3 flat, square sides then it goes by quicker. First cut setup takes the longest, then 180 degrees is quick, and the next 90 degree cut is the second longest. Trying to maximize the potential of the log.
With windows that big, are you getting something thicker than just 2 pane? for better heat retention.
Winter time is always an additional challenge when working on anything. Wool is your friend for clothes. Dries quickly and retains heat. I picked up wool glove liners and am very much happier now.
As for coffee, I use a french press for mine, which means even with no power I get a 1 litre of good coffee. I usually leave it on the wood stove to keep warm.
Wishing you a great day!