You may be wondering why progress seems slow (or nonexistent). Its the DOT seasonal weight restrictions. Until these are lifted, no big heavy equipment can be transported, and dump trucks can only haul partial loads. Should be soon though. Other regions are opening up, and finally today our road was raised from 75% axle load to 100%. Later they'll allow the overloads required to haul stuff efficiently.
To follow the exciting world of weight restrictions for yourself, visit http://511.alaska.gov/ , then click weight restrictions, then "statewide weight restrictions", then expand "transportation & public Facilities" , then weight restrictions.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Choppin' Broccoli
Andrew and I are waiting for the excavators to do the dirt work on our property. They can't drive on the roads with heavy equipment due to seasonal DOT ordinances. So we decided to start splitting some of the trees we've already chopped down. We might as well as we have the time and sometimes we have the energy. While Andrew chainsawed the long pieces I split the short pieces. Cause I'm cool like that, or not, if you take a gander at my "concentration" face.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Mostly cleared
We've been working hard and we have most if not all of the clearing done. Many thanks to all our helpful friends! This is April 10th, and within a few days the snow should be gone so dirt work can commence! It could begin any day now, although it seems like winter is hanging on tough. Warm melting weather but we're getting more snow!
Looking down the driveway from near the top
At the edge of the switchback. To the right is up the driveway to the road. To the left is where the house goes, nestled behind the trees so it's fairly hidden from the road.
Looking down the driveway from near the top
At the edge of the switchback. To the right is up the driveway to the road. To the left is where the house goes, nestled behind the trees so it's fairly hidden from the road.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Bonfire!
First we forced friends to be slave labor for us. But seriously, thank you to Ian, Johnny, and JohnT for helping us out Saturday afternoon. Part of this labor included stacking the tree tops and brush for the bonfire.
We went back to the house for a little cake and some present opening (Andrew's birthday party). At around 7pm we headed down to the land to start the fire. Apparently this included cutting benches which I wasn't aware of until JohnT and Andrew started making them. Those sure came in handy as the night wore on. We started pretty early in the evening because we thought it would take a really long time for all the wood to burn (maybe until 2am). Andrew and I would have to wait until the fire burnt down to the coals. Anyway, Andrew soaked a cardboard box full of sawdust and other cardboard boxes with diesel fuel, the rest of us spent a good ten minutes trying to light a match, and then the whole thing went up in flames. It burned beautifully and didn't take nearly as long as we thought it would.
As you can see our land still has some trees on it so we didn't burn down Fairbanks with our bonfire. It was fun and I can't wait to do another one.
We went back to the house for a little cake and some present opening (Andrew's birthday party). At around 7pm we headed down to the land to start the fire. Apparently this included cutting benches which I wasn't aware of until JohnT and Andrew started making them. Those sure came in handy as the night wore on. We started pretty early in the evening because we thought it would take a really long time for all the wood to burn (maybe until 2am). Andrew and I would have to wait until the fire burnt down to the coals. Anyway, Andrew soaked a cardboard box full of sawdust and other cardboard boxes with diesel fuel, the rest of us spent a good ten minutes trying to light a match, and then the whole thing went up in flames. It burned beautifully and didn't take nearly as long as we thought it would.
As you can see our land still has some trees on it so we didn't burn down Fairbanks with our bonfire. It was fun and I can't wait to do another one.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
1st Day on the Job!
Our first official day of house "constuction" has commenced. It's not just talk anymore, we are physically destroying nature with our little human hands! My parents came up on the 23rd and then on the 24th we all went out to the land and started felling trees for the driveway. I do believe that my Mom and Dad worked their balls off for me.
My Dad was the first person to start cutting. He was quite anxious to get started but was very cautious and meticulous about where he fell each tree.
After Dad took a break Andrew got into the action a bit.
Mom and I were waiting around for a bit as we had to be out of the way of falling trees. Mom tooled around on her snowshoes and I took a picture of this crazy rainbow.
Once some trees had been chainsawed into manageable pieces then we all started stackin'.
It was a fulfilling and fun day!
My Dad was the first person to start cutting. He was quite anxious to get started but was very cautious and meticulous about where he fell each tree.
After Dad took a break Andrew got into the action a bit.
Mom and I were waiting around for a bit as we had to be out of the way of falling trees. Mom tooled around on her snowshoes and I took a picture of this crazy rainbow.
Once some trees had been chainsawed into manageable pieces then we all started stackin'.
It was a fulfilling and fun day!
Windows 2.0
Based on some of the input we've gotten, I've made some updated window options, after the original one many liked. Taller round windows so it doesn't look so squat. Then there's a new option with windows with a top edge 1' taller than normal. Then an option with a third row, and finally one with a round window at the very top, just for Cam. The bottom windows could be the same width for all options, even though they don't look it here
I also included a line to show where the ceiling is, plus a little stick figure of a 5'9 person for scale. I also added one foot to the height of the house to give it correct scale. I forgot that the floor is 1' thick...
Votes? Again, some of this will come down to cost, which we don't know yet.
I also included a line to show where the ceiling is, plus a little stick figure of a 5'9 person for scale. I also added one foot to the height of the house to give it correct scale. I forgot that the floor is 1' thick...
Votes? Again, some of this will come down to cost, which we don't know yet.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Windows
One of the main features of our house will be a steeply pitched high vaulted ceiling with a large wall of windows looking out over the Goldstream Valley. We're having a hard time deciding what kind of windows to put in this wall! Here are three basic ideas, and one similar real example from a house Patrick and I recently photographed. Which do you like best?
Two notes: the inside and outside pitch of the roof are different, which is evident with the angled windows when viewed from outside but hidden by the rounded windows. Also, more small windows will likely cost more than fewer large windows.
Two notes: the inside and outside pitch of the roof are different, which is evident with the angled windows when viewed from outside but hidden by the rounded windows. Also, more small windows will likely cost more than fewer large windows.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Birthday!
It's my birthday March 30th. My parents got me a Hitachi job site table saw. Thanks! For everybody else, here's my birthday list
oh, and girl scout cookies. My favorites are Samoas and thin mints.
| UNIT | QTY | ||
| ea | 3 | W8x21 40ft Steel I | |
| ea | 2 | #4 rebar 20' | |
| ea | 7 | #5 rebar 20' | |
| ea | 15 | 26' span trusses 12:12 over 9:12 scissor 1'4" energy heal | |
| ea | 15 | BCI 5000 11 7/8 26' | |
| ea | 2 | BCI 5000 11 7/8 32' | |
| ea | 1 | ||
| ea | 4 | VL 1 3/4 x 11 7/8 26' | |
| ea | 8 | BCI 5000 9 1/2 26' | |
| 1 lf | 64 | BC Rimboard 1 1/8 | |
| ea | 42 | 23/32 OSB T&G floor | |
| 1 lf | 96 | 2x6 incised treated | |
| ea | 30 | 2x10 12ft incised treated | |
| ea | 8 | 2 x10 16ft incised treated | |
| ea | 3 | 6x6 8ft | |
| ea | 8 | 4x4 12ft treated post | |
| ea | 4 | 4x4 16ft treated post | |
| ea | 148 | 2x6 8ft ceder deck board | |
| ea | 1 | 4x4 16ft column | |
| ea | 120 | 2x6 10ft dried DF | |
| ea | 16 | 2x6 12ft dried DF | |
| ea | 8 | 2x6 16ft dried DF | |
| ea | 8 | 2x6 20ft dried DF | |
| ea | 50 | 2x4 8ft dried DF | |
| ea | 120 | 2x2 8ft furring strips | |
| ea | 126 | 7/16 OSB | |
| sq ft | 1620 | metal roofing+ flashing | |
| sq ft | 1620 | 30lb felt to cover roof area | |
| ea | 18 | 4x12 sheetrock | |
| ea | 100 | 4x8 sheetrock | |
| ea | 200 | 1x6 12" T&G pine | |
| vapor barrier | |||
| tyvek | |||
| sq ft | 832 | R-38 fiberglass 24" wide | |
| bag | celloluse 1100 sq ft cover@R-70 | ||
| sq ft | 1300 | R-21 24" wide | |
| ea | 40 | 4x8 sheet R-tech or similar 1.5" | |
| 1 lf | 1250 | 1/2 PEX tubing | |
| 1 lf | 200 | 3/0 copper underground wire | |
| ea | 1 | 200 amp panel | |
| ea | 2 | 250' box NMB wire | |
| ea | 14 | single breaker 15 amp |
oh, and girl scout cookies. My favorites are Samoas and thin mints.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
land values
The realter pushed us to buy our land before the new year because he said the subdivision owner raised her prices every Jan 1. I wondered if it was just a ploy, but it turns out they were honest. I checked, and the 3 remaining lots went up in price $10,000. Now they cost more than ours did, but they're not as nice. Plus we didn't actually pay for our land until March 1.
Tree cutting party Saturday March 24th
On March 24th, Marcy's folks are coming up to help cut some trees. I know Paul is already in on this, and we'd love any additional help anyone is willing to give. We will probably start around 10am after it's warmed up a bit, and work all day with a nice lunch break. I have at least 4 chainsaws available, and lots of the work is hauling and stacking, so we could go pretty fast with a big group. Show up any time, or just stop by to say hi. We'll provide lunch.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)