Unstuck!

 

Last update we were pretty much dead in the water, but serendipity happened when the young excavator fellow and a friend offered to help Marc out with the garage roof install. Unfortunately, we came up short a couple of pieces (which had to be ordered) but even getting this far along felt like a miracle. Even if he has to rent a lift, Marc should now be able to complete both the roof and siding on his own by season’s end.

Marc made a quick trip to Waupaca to pick up the new RV and it was great seeing it here, although it then had to sit for a couple weeks while the roofing was done. I guess Marc finally felt sorry for me, lamenting that I likely wouldn’t even get to move into it this season, because after I had returned from a trip home, he had it moved and was setting it up for occupancy. It took him a day just to do all the cement blocking underneath to level it. Since we plan to move this at the end of the year, under the RV cover storage, I suggested he may want to install some trailer jacks, which would certainly make the process much easier each year. He also plans to do some cement pads for the wheels since our site is sloped at a fair downhill angle which makes leveling tough.

It was thrilling to move in finally and the extra space feels amazing. The furniture (RV furniture is never good) is so-so and even though with the opposing slides in the living room we have tons of room, there really isn’t a good layout for the placement of anything. The previous owner left some small tables but they are awkward and flimsy and don’t really hold anything well without the chance of tipping over. Currently, there’s two sleeper sofas, each in a slide, and attached recliners/loveseat which faces the fireplace. We certainly don’t anticipate ever needing seating for six so we’ve decided one of the sofas and the recliner/loveseat will be moved out and we’ll be purchasing single-seating residential recliners and end tables. That will still leave seating for four but will then accommodate a roomier layout with functional furniture where we at least have space to set a drink or computer. One of the best parts, is that the view side to the lake is practically all windows (7 large ones plus a slider) so you feel as though you are almost adrift on the lake. Once we get some more trees cleared out and the deck built, it should be truly special as an RV parking site!

To that end, I’ve continued my work on enhancing the outdoor seating area. I did more to the rock wall, got the fire pit built and sifted out some soil for a small planting area. My BFF is coming to visit over Labor Day holiday and I’m so excited to finally share our hardworking efforts. These gloves I’ve used for the past two years tell the whole story I think.

Signing off with just a few other shots…

 

We're Stuck

 

Things were going well until Marc tried doing the roofing by himself. The roof sheathing and paper had been done by his contractor friend, who then became busy with his business, so Marc figured he’d give it a go. And go he almost did…right off the edge of the pitched roof if not for his safety rope. I told him no way did I want to see him plunge to his death and that was enough of that; we’d hire it done! 

Of course, the primary person we’re depending upon for that is the contractor friend, whose schedule is so loaded up that time keeps passing and the roof doesn’t get done. That has stopped other stuff as well; the finalization of siding and being able to get into the area around the garage for the dirt work necessary for placement of the new RV. Marc did make the decision to make the run to Waupaca to retrieve it after we finished more road work, loads of gravel, and the extraction of many large tree stumps by the excavator guy. He should arrive back shortly, although I suspect it will be many weeks before we can occupy it.

All of this “processing” of trees took us many days of more backbreaking labor and a near-constant fire lasting five days. We’re in another no burn cycle, so now the limbs and brush are just piled awaiting the next chance to torch them.

 

road before

I’ve been spending off time making more rope baskets and coasters for the upcoming shelter auction, as my arthritic hands allow.

Overall, our weather has been comfortable as compared to many other areas of the U.S. We’ve received less rain this summer but only a few days above 90; most are 70’s to low 80’s. The Canadian wildfire smoke has often invaded our skies however, which makes things ugly and miserable.

That’s it for now from the lake….

 

 

Moving Along Slowly

(Can you tell it's feeding time?)

It's not easy being old. You move much slower and if you do too much you ache in places you had forgotten you had. Odd muscles begin to scream and new ailments seem to pop up. Since when did I ever have hip problems? Starting about two weeks ago! Near as I can tell from internet research, it's probably some type of bursitis from overuse but I woke one night in excruciating pain in my left hip and radiating down my left leg which prevented any sleep. That was when I was in the middle of moving tons of the stick piles to a massive bonfire for two full days, which was nothing but bend over, pick up, lug, toss, and turn around and do it all again as I sweated profusely while standing next to a 2000 degree (at least) blazing inferno rendering coals over a foot high. It was easy the next morning to stick a dry piece of branch into the coal/ash pile and poof--it would take off again. 

My other recent task was to work on our sitting area. Marc had ordered some gravel with lots of larger cobble in it so we had picked out the larger rocks into a discard pile. I decided to use them to spruce up the cut bank which was cleared long ago leading down to the lake. I built two flanking dry stack walls and also used some smaller gravel to fill in and expand the area which dropped away steeply. By doing this we will be able to install the largest boulders as a fire pit in this area after the bug tent is moved. It will go elsewhere. After carting rocks and shoveling gravel for two days to accomplish this I was able to truthfully answer my doctor during my annual if I was doing any weight bearing exercise for my osteoporosis! I want to add some small plantings to the side hills behind the stones but don't know if that will get done this summer. Whatever goes in there will likely be the extent of our "landscaping" here. I have enough to maintain with the two acres in Waupaca every time I go home. 

Our main endeavor of course, has been continued progress on the shop. The roof trusses came in and Marc's contractor friend came with a helper to install the sheathing and roof paper. After that, Marc worked hard to finish off the gable ends and do the headers for the man door and the oversize garage door, which he just finished installing. He still needs to get that actually hooked up to the opener when he returns from an unexpected speed run to Waupaca. 

You see, our RV fridge unexpectedly died. It had stopped running on electric about a year ago and now won't run on propane either. Fortunately, since we have an extra refrigerator at home, he is there now to pick it up and also bring back the pontoon. The fridge is actually the one in our house with a decent size freezer so it will be set up in the shop to do until we can move into our new RV. 

Next up will be tackling the metal roof installation. Roofing is expected in on July 7th. In between we'll likely get started on installing the siding. 

Slowly, as we have time, we're also working on selectively clearing out the hillside which sits between the bog and where our RV will be placed so it opens up an expansive view to the lake. It'd be nice to have it all placed by my next post! Marc has found that the forklift really helps in knocking down the smaller diameter trees. 

A surprise visit by a snapping turtle one morning! 

Getting Started

 

It feels like it’s been a long road to get to the point where we could finally start shop construction. We were late getting to the property this spring due to the amount of snow and cold and once here, we encountered many downed trees that needed dealing with. In addition, we continue to thin out dead and dying trees, particularly certain species like the popples, which are tall, spindly, weak parasitic trees of other desirable trees like the maples. Much of my work time is spent looping off branches and making fire size pieces, where we continue to have all day bonfires on burn days. Certain treetops I use to further build up and sustain our “brush fence” which we use to keep roaming dogs out; we also got the gate totally secured with wire surround so they can’t walk around that. 

At first, I was all about the forest and tall trees but now that it is getting thinned out, I must admit I like it better; the land becomes more usable and hopefully, it will cut down on the bugs by providing better airflow. The mosquitos and gnats are horrendous this year! There is one more large section I had wanted to remain natural because it provides a real barrier from views from the highway but I’m now giving thought to clearing that out as well. Maybe not until next summer though! 

One good thing about the delay in building from last year is that lumber prices are now around one third of what our quotes were last year. Marc debated going the package route but found buying things individually was a better deal so he started with the framing and sheeting lumber for the shop walls. Since he is doing this alone, he decided to do them panelized, which means he is building them in sections on the cement slab—something much easier than being up on a ladder trying to hold lumber himself while wielding the heavy, huge nail gun. It’s an act of “McGivership” though for him to figure out the way to stand the walls on his own and get them level. It proved to be very difficult and heavy so he’s going to decrease the size of the sections from 12 feet to 8 feet. By the way, the walls are also 12 foot tall!

Within a week or two he hopes to borrow a forklift from a friend who lives an hour from here which should greatly help in the building once the trusses arrive. When the garage shell is complete, we can turn our attention to leveling, compacting, and getting utilities to the point of where we intend to place the new park model and he can then move it from Waupaca and get it set and blocked. Next after that, he intends to build a deck for it. On his next return to Waupaca, he will bring the boat up as we’re hoping to get out on that when we desperately need a break from the work. All in all, it looks to be another really busy summer for us in the Northwoods, but it’s sure heaven to be here again!