In the far north, the cabin’s superstructure is done. That is, the big bones which give it shape and integrity…trusses, beams, roof. Now, work proceeds on the smaller bones…interior wall structure, loft, stairway. Things have moved along while I’ve been in Virginia! In fact, I can’t believe how much we’ve done in four months. (Posts about the building process begin here.) I’ve been gone nearly a month and needed this break because DiY construction can be stressful. I’m ready to get back into it now. Have you noticed how, when doing something you chose to do but also gets tiresome, it’s helpful to step back once in awhile? Decisions come more easily from calm eagerness than frantic necessity. Still to come this year: siding, windows and doors (on order for weeks and now starting to arrive at the store), electricity (a big one) and bathroom (another big one). I hope to furnish the place this winter and the open floor plan will make that interesting. Will it be livable by spring? It depends on amazing Jeff and how long he can keep this up, whether our awesome helper remains available, and how quickly I want to spend. (I have no loan for this and am paying as-we-go, so it’s a bit scary.) Photos and captions below.
The waterfront-facing porch was the last part of the roof to get shingles. Above that roof, you will eventually see two triangle windows. (Custom windows like that are pricey, but we want a distinctive look from the outside and plenty of light inside.) The stainless steel chimney will be connected to a wood stove, which may eventually be changed to gas or electric. I love fires and have never had an indoor woodstove, but imagine it could get tiring eventually. Not to mention messy. To make a hole for the chimney, Jeff and Wally cut the shingles with a cutter and knife and then cut the wood with a sawzall. (I bought one last summer, at Jeff’s urging. It “saws all,” just as the name suggests. I’ve tried it on trees. Not a fan, yet.)
Jeff sends me pictures like this while I’m away, to show me the progress…and, wow! There’s the loft, and stairs leading to it, just as I wanted! This was in the house plan but became questionable during initial building stages. A month or so ago, I thought I had to settle for a pull-down ladder. But there it is. You can see how open the space is, with the cathedral ceiling.
Jeff added a temporary railing to the stair. I’m researching railings like the one below…
…in keeping with the open feel that I’m after. I also hoped for floating steps like this, but you can’t get everything you want. (Unless you have no budget limit or size constraints!) Compromises are necessary somewhere.
These boards are from a black ash that we cut down recently. Jeff cut the boards on his sawmill. (You aren’t surprised that he has a sawmill, are you? š He sold it awhile ago and missed it so much, he bought it back.) We’re thinking about using this on the stair. I love the idea of using trees from Camp Many Moons inside the Cabin at Many Moons.
A day or two ago, Jeff created the frame for the west-facing windows in the loft. A half-moon window will go on top of this rectangular window. These windows caused some recent anxiety for me, when Jeff reminded me that they need to meet egress code requirements if we plan to use the loft as a bedroom. (That means a person could escape through the window if needed.) Since we now have a stair, I do want the option to create a bedroom up there. However, I ordered different windows weeks ago and was warned that changes aren’t possible. I called the building store and pleaded. Success! The new order might not come in until late November, but I plan to plead more.
As I prepared to leave Virginia, I took another walk along the Potomac River waterfront. This Navy and Marine Memorial is just a few miles from my house. (Can’t you almost hear the cacophony of seagulls?) It reminds me of my Navy history, and our long boat trip…
If you’ve been following this blog, you know I value honesty. That’s why I’m throwing in this recent picture. My “About” picture is many years old and I haven’t bothered to update it. (Am I the only one who wonders if people I “meet” on-line still look like that today? š ) This is what the 65-year-old author looks like, wrinkles and all. I’m on Medicare! How strange to write that. Every generation goes through this, and I have great examples. I remember Aunt Martha saying, “I can’t believe I’m 105!” And Mom: “I can’t believe I’m 100!” After about age 50, that thought comes more often. It helps to have inspirations. And another new venture to pursue. Onward!
For Many Moons 
What wrinkles??!! You look gorgeous! So exciting about the cabin and your progress. Blessings,
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The neck, especially. š From years of outdoor living! ( I got good at putting sunscreen on face and hands but often forgot the neck.)
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