Here we go again!

And so begins another year of building. We're heading up north for the week of July 4 to work on the cabin.  Just the two of us - doing odd jobs that get ready for the bigger ones to come.  We will stain the porch floor and deck; perhaps finish the porch (!); run electrical and plumbing; do some final measurements for the metal roof and siding - order the same! And whatever else mastermind Mark has in mind.

Cabin site, spring 2016

I often get asked if we'll "finish" the cabin this year. WE WISH! We estimate it to be a 3-year project, and I HOPE that's true.  Sometimes it feels daunting - like we'll never finish it. And it was really great to have a break over the winter. When I feel overwhelmed with the whole project, I look at where we were last May compared to the place we are today (see pictures at left). And I'm amazed at what we've accomplished (thanks once again to our amazing volunteer crew!). Grateful, is the only word I can come up with.

Mark's been up three times already this spring. I joined him once, over Memorial weekend. The result of those trips is the beginnings of a screen porch and deck (see pictures at the bottom).

Cabin, spring 2017

A screen porch is an absolute necessity this time of year. From  about Memorial Day through mid-July (or sometimes end of July), the black flies, mosquitos, and gnats can get pretty bad.  So, we'll be hoping for it to be a "light" year for those pests, and if not, for breezy weather! We have many ways to escape the peskies when they get to be too much...  a canoe ride (sometimes), go for a fast ride on the 4-wheeler, this year we're adding fat tire bikes to our possibilities of fun, or head down to the Big Lake and catch its cool breezes that are just too much for the bugs. Someday, I'll be able to sit in the screen porch, or in the window seat, and just watch the bugs and the world go by!

Not sure we've ever described the inside of the cabin. It's pretty simple. The porch and deck are on the west end of the cabin (you can see the stairs in the picture to the left). The east end (shown in the picture) is the bedroom, bathroom, and utility room, and of course the loft above, which will be just an open sitting/sleeping room. The rest of the cabin is kitchen and living area.  We constructed the inside walls over one weekend in the winter. Perhaps that sounds impressive, but it isn't - there are only a few walls!

And finally, a note of gratitude to all who watch this process through the blog. So many people express genuine interest in our project.  It's great to feel like there's a community of people that are interested and want to see its success. Thank you!  

Celebration after a day of decking!

Rain on the cedar decking

Porch roof on, thanks to Mark and Dave