Needed: One capable man, one old back-hoe, one heavy chain, and a friend or two. Stand by with a few braces, and…ta-d-a-a!
Two walls went up today, and suddenly, I can visualize it! The Cabin at Many Moons is taking shape. This was even more exciting than pouring the foundation. Photos and captions below. (To read about earlier steps in our DIY cabin, click “previous post” or “related” at bottom.)
Jeff uses his 52-year-old back-hoe to lift the south wall, which we built in about a day — Jeff as “boss,” me as assistant. Neighbor Doug helps attach a heavy chain. Will it work?
Yes! The wall starts to rise. The back-hoe doesn’t have brakes, so we put chunks of firewood behind a tire to guard against back-slide.
As the wall raised higher, it started to flex in the middle. No worries, said Jeff…that’s expected.
We added long 2x4s to push it into vertical position and brace it….
…and Jeff tapped it with a mallet to nudge it the final inch or so.
It looks much bigger standing up than lying flat on the foundation!
Ah. I can see it now…my second home, a 4-season respite and site of future family gatherings, with an indoor toilet! (Which will, no doubt, bring more visitors. Living in a camper with a compost toilet does limit those.) Two patio doors on this side give big views, just as I wanted.
The raising of the south wall went so well that we proceeded directly to the north. This one Jeff built by himself, as I was busy researching windows. (My choices dictate the size of the openings, and it’s complicated — about two dozen choices to make per window.) Tom and Joyce joined us…boaters from Florida who we met years ago and accompanied for a week or so on The Great Loop. They visit this area nearly annually and it was a happy coincidence that they were available today.
With the south and north walls up, you begin to visualize the 36×28 cabin. (I call it that because I want that look and feel, but it’s really a house.) Next, the east and west walls and then the trusses and roof…but, for now, the satisfaction of another milestone.
For Many Moons 
Very nice.
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How exciting Mary!
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Very excited to see this!! Thanks for the pictures. Keep us informed.
Sent from my iPhone
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