Mike and Katie's Cabin

One step closer!

2010-05-10T23:22:00.004-04:00

Well....we finally reached a major milestone at the property! We have water...well, not exactly!! We have a 67 foot well that spits out almost 30 gallons per minute, but no way to get it to our structures?

We'll work on that, but it's a start! Later this week the septic system is started and then the pressure tank for the well. We're really excited!! It sounds ambitious, but we'd like to have water flowing by Memorial Day!

Here are some photo's that Katie and her dad snapped of the well drilling rig!! That's a big truck!!

Happy Holidays

2009-12-18T22:30:00.005-05:00

Well...it has been some time since my last update!! We sure have gotten a lot done in the last few months! The cabin is almost completely sided and we finally were able to get all of the insulation in. The electrical inspector came out and we passed the inspection. Congratulations to my electrician!! I highly recommend him and he works cheap. The only stipulation is you have to be genetically related to him...and he has to have raised you from birth!!

We spent a lot of time in the fall doing some odds and ends and I was even able to shoot a nice doe in late gun season in the back corner of our property!

We look forward to lots of progress this spring, summer and fall!! Hope to see y'all out there!!

Here are two of my union fiberglass insulation installers on one of their "contractual breaks"

My multi-use general laborer/electrician/plumber/framer working on some insulation

Jared cuts while Brian drinks beer....rough summer for my partner....don't ask!!

Almost done with the shingles

Finally....starting to look like a cabin!!

Getting closer

2009-08-05T21:40:00.003-04:00

Well...we finally have a few weekends where we can get some work done. I took advantage of the time and had some friends and family out this past weekend. We were able to get just about all of the electric finished including the smoke detectors. We started the insulation and got quite a bit of siding finished as well (until we ran out).

On Saturday we had my dad, Uncle John, Alan, Mr. Frank, Uncle Fred, Joe and Jared came out on Saturday to help.

On Sunday, Uncle John and my dad slept over and Uncle Bob Albrecht made the trip to help us out!

Thanks to everyone who helped....especially Katie and my mom who did all of the cooking for us this past weekend!!

We will get back at it this weekend!! More updates to follow.

Some Springtime Progress

2009-04-15T19:39:00.005-04:00

Well...we were able to get some things done the last few weeks. My Dad and I were able to finish up the rough wiring for all of our electricity. In fact, the electrical inspector is coming tomorrow. I'm not really sure what to expect, since I have never had an electrical inspection before. We did everything right in our eyes...but unfortunately, those aren't the ones that matter.

I was also able to get a little more siding done and started on the balcony and stairway railings.

Brian and I were also able to get out there and build our stairway into the hillside. No more excuses if you fall....provided you are sober!!

My Annual Winter Update

2009-02-28T18:42:00.004-05:00

Well, on a sunny, Saturday afternoon, I took a ride down to the cabin to check things out. It was a beautiful day!! Everything in the cabin looked good. I was able to make a mental list of some of the things to get done and where a few electrical connections need to be placed.

I also took a walk in the woods. There is still a lot of snow. I was able to determine the location of our first food plot (potentially).

It will be a busy year out there. Now that Drew is older, it will be easier to take him out there and find things for him to do (safely).

Getting ready...

2009-01-26T19:13:00.002-05:00

Well...spring is slowly approaching and its time to start planing again. This year we would like to get the following things done:

1. Finish the siding

2. Design and install a railing system for the stairs

3. Finish the electrical

4. Hang the insulation

5. Purchase and install a wall mounted propane furnace

As far as goals for the property itself, we would like to build some stairs near the fire pit and install some split rail fences as well. Plus we need to start managing our woodlot and take some trees down up top as well.

There will be plenty to keep us busy. We will keep everyone updated as the year progresses and see how our list looks in December!!

Little by little...

2008-08-25T22:51:00.005-04:00

Well, we are getting a little bit done here and there!! Over the past 9 0r 10 months, we were able to finish the mudroom, get a lot of the interior electrical work done, install a composting toilet, frame in the upstairs bedrooms and start the cedar siding. We hope to get a lot of the siding done over the next few weeks before hunting season starts!! We look forward to seeing family and friends come visit as we move farther and farther along!!

Here is a look at some of the interior framing upstairs.

The first piece of siding is up...and Joe and Steve are trying to figure out what button you push to turn the saw on!! They should probably plug it in first!!

Progress...

The transition piece is in. Everything above is going to be cedar shingles!!

Another year....

2007-11-12T21:30:00.000-05:00

Well, another year has come and gone. It certainly has been awhile since my last post. We did a few things here and there, but for the most part, we have been getting to know our new son. We hope to really get things in gear next spring.

We did get some electrical things done and built the mud room (which took some time!!) as well! Hope to see everyone in the spring!!

Back on level ground

2007-07-03T17:42:00.000-04:00

Well, we were finally able to finish the dormers for the most part and can get down to the ground and begin the siding of the cabin itself. We also had an opportunity to do some interior work on the second floor, so the ceiling height is set. We decided on 8 feet. I think it will look great.

We also have had a lot of ground work done at our site and have some level ground to stand on. After 10 years of walking at an angle, we can finally just sit and enjoy ourselves.

Well.....our other addition...to our family that is, is due in the next week or two, so that will certainly take up a lot of time. Hopefully we will more info on both the cabin and our son in the next few weeks!!

Time to work again...

2007-05-14T16:11:00.000-04:00

Well, it has been awhile since my last post. I have gotten a few things done here and there but time has been limited. Our first child is on the way, so we have been pretty busy working on getting things ready for that.

I was able to get part of one of the dormers shingled. We have been excited to see what it looked like! We are also planning on getting the trailer moved out and taken away. So hopefully that will be done soon. We were also able to get the electricity put in. I had to dig a trench from the box to the cabin and a friend did the rest. Finally, no more extension cords across the property!!

Lot's of snow...but still staying busy!!

2007-02-26T22:16:00.000-05:00

Well, the weather has not been the greatest, but we have managed to stay busy. Steve and I have been working on the maple cabinets. He has taught me a lot and I think that they will look great!!

Katie and I also took a ride out for some pancakes and maple syrup and stopped by the cabin. There was a lot of snow as expected, so I used some snow shoes to go up there and check things out. Everything looked great.....cold and lonely....but great. Can't wait until spring!!

YE UNDERGROUND CABINET SHOP!

Yes, even I work once and a while!!

Tony shows off his greatest talent!

Cold and lonely...waiting for shingles.

In the winter...the only way to travel

Wintertime Update

2007-01-07T21:11:00.000-05:00

Well, we have been busy celebrating the holidays with our family and friends!! But now that the holidays are over...it is time to get back to work. I must say, by the time October and November came around, I was pretty burnt out. But I am now energized and ready to go! I also received news that my wife and I are expecting our first child this July. We are very excited. I better get this cabin finished so we have a place to take Moose's brother or sister.

We have had a very unseasonable winter so far. Hardly any snow and fairly warm temperatures. This past weekend I was able to head up to the cabin and get a few things done. I was able to finish cutting the flooring around the stairs and I started to frame in the bathroom. This is all bonus time as far as I am concerned.

I was also able to visit the Amish lumber mill and pick up the maple I had cut up. Hopefully we can get to work on the kitchen cabinets too! I am going to try and head up this coming weekend as well, since the weather looks decent.

Buttoned up for the winter!!

2006-11-13T22:53:00.000-05:00

The weather finally cooperated and on a cold, November Veterans Day, my dad and I were able to get the dormers wrapped for the winter. We are now just about reay to start shingling in the spring. We had finished bending and installing all of the metal during the previous couple of weeks. Katie and I can't thank everyone who helped enough!! Without everyone's contributions, our dream of a cabin would never had come through! We will see you all in the spring!! It's time to go hunting!!

Stairway to Heaven???

2006-11-13T22:35:00.000-05:00

Well, after a long hiatus, I'm back to give a few final updates to the blog. It has been a busy few months! We have been chipping away at things while going to Bills games and dodging rain drops! The stairs were finally completed and I am pretty happy with how they have turned out!

The sun sets on another beautiful fall day!!

Bring on the Rain!!!

2006-09-10T21:39:00.000-04:00

Well, we were finally able to finish the back roof! My buddy Steve, along with my Dad helped get things buttoned up two weekends ago! We were also able to get the big window in on the front of the cabin.

This past weekend, my Dad and I were able to get all the windows in except one (the bathroom). It needs a little work done to it before we can get it in. The next couple of weekends will be used to get the soffits done and then start putting up the shingles.

This is the absolute best time of the year to come out to the property. The leaves are starting to change and the nights are getting colder. You can smell it in the air. As always, we love to see everyone out there. Thanks to Uncle Roger and Aunt Linda who made the trek out here on Labor Day. It was great to see you!!! We hope to see the rest of you too!!

Dormers and roofing

2006-08-24T22:45:00.000-04:00

This weekend, we were able to get the other dormer built and start the all important roofing! The weather did not cooperate and we really did not finish what I hoped! This was certainly not because of a lack of effort. Our friends Steve and Ric came out on a rainy Saturday and Sturman, Tim, Brian, Larry, Scotty and my Dad came out on Sunday! Once again, we could not have done it without you guys! Thanks!!!

Hopefully in the next week or two we can finish up the entire roof, get the soffit panels hung and cover the fascia boards. Then we can install the front door and windows!

Steve and Ric help us with the dormer. Ric is thinking "Oh boy...someone is gonna get hurt!"

The crew finishes up the dormer on Sunday.

Yee Haw!! The first shingle goes on!

Scotty excitedly awaits his next set of instructions.

Finally got just about all the front roofing finished! Starting to look like a cabin now!

Porch roof and dormers!

2006-08-16T23:23:00.000-04:00

Well, we finally had some good weather and were able to get a lot accomplished! The porch roof is on and one of the dormers is built. All the the plywood is on the roof, so were are just about ready to roof! We are hoping that the weather cooperates one more weekend for us! Please feel free to stop out there and check it out. We would be happy to see our family and friends!

We were able to get the rafters and plywood on the porch done on Saturday.

This is Brian looking at me and wondering "How does he hunt so little, yet always gets a buck?"

This is how we officially spent our first night in the cabin!

This is our view just a few steps from our front porch on an early summer morning!

Our friend Mike helps us figure out the dormer. I will have more pictures of the cabin with the dormers next week! Talk to y'all then!

Floor decking and roof rafters

2006-08-16T22:55:00.000-04:00

Well, on days two and three, we were able to get most of the flooring done and assemble the roof rafters. We had a fantastic seven man crew on Saturday, including some of the guys I work with during the week! Thanks again to all of you who have continued to offer your assistance!

This is what our ceiling will look like from below.

We set up a pretty elaborate scaffolding system to help install the rafters.

Here we are creating the template for the rafters. Once this is done, we can just trace, cut and install!

This is what it looked like after most of the rafters were installed!

Just wanted to get one more picture of our Irish mongrel before he crosses the pond! Good luck and we will miss ya!

The beams are in!

2006-08-16T22:40:00.000-04:00

After a typical morning rain, we went to pick up the beams and flooring from the Amish mill. The weather finally broke and we were able to get the 4x12 Hemlock beams in. Wow...were they heavy!!

It took five of us to carry the beam into the cabin. These beams were not kiln dried, so they still contain a lot of moisture.

First beam going up....another one of those memorable moments!

Joe gives us his feelings about being the anchorman on the beam installation crew!

A well deserved break after the eight beams are installed. Good work men!

Nothing better to see when you lay the level across two of the beams! Up next, the flooring and roof rafters.

The walls are up!

2006-07-25T21:32:00.000-04:00

Mother Nature was not as kind this weekend as the crew dodged raindrops on Saturday but got a lot done! The deck is started and that was an important obstacle to hurdle. Thanks to all who came out to help (Steve, Brian, Pops, Larry and a couple of the mongrels).

Sunday was a much better day. Steve and Tim came out to help. They did a great job!! We were able to get all of the walls up and part of the sheathing done as well. Thanks guys!

Pops going to town on the chop saw!

The crew works together to get the wall together!

And there she goes!

I'm figuring out the measurements of the last section of the final wall.

There she is. I'm pretty proud of what we have accomplished so far! Thanks again to all of our help!

This weekend is "the biggie". We have a lot we want to accomplish. I hope Mother Nature is kind to us. We would like to get the rafters and the roof on if possible. On Friday, I am going to the local Amish sawmill to pick up our wooden beams and tongue and groove flooring. We are really excited but really nervous that all goes well! Once again, everyone is welcome. We have lots of help coming and going this weekend, but there is always something for someone to do! So come out and enjoy a day in the country! See you there!

More progress...

2006-07-18T21:54:00.000-04:00

On a weekend that felt like we lived on the equator, many brave men endured the summer heat to help with the cabin. The good news is that we did get a lot done. The bad news is that I'm not sure how many will ever come back and help!!

On Saturday, my Dad and I were able to build the front wall! My Uncle Larry and his crew of hard working mongrels showed up unexpectedly and we were able to get the first wall up!! What a milestone!

Go Scotty go!!!!!

On Sunday, Katie's family showed up to help. We were able to get a second wall up and install the deck piers. It was really hot and it took a lot of work, but I think in the long run, we will have a better product.

You can see the BigFoot pier system that we used. I had the excavator dig me big holes with his backhoe on saturday morning. That certainly saved some time!

This is how we had to get the water to mix the concrete. Joe is thinking right about now...."When are they getting that %&*$ well put in!"

Mixing concrete 1800's style. Good thing we only had to mix 45 sixty pound bags.

This photo shows the result of a lot of hard work from a lot of helpful family members!! Thanks also to our wonderful catering staff!!

Next week we hope to get the other walls up and get the deck put together. Feel free to stop by and check things out!! (Just throw a pair of work gloves in the trunk...just in case!)

Walking on sunshine!!!

2006-07-10T21:56:00.002-04:00

The floor joists and subfloor are in! I was not planning on being at this point yet, but according to the excavator, I needed to get this part done before he backfilled the foundation. I am actualy glad because we finally got to pound some nails into some wood!

We had some great help come out this weekend with my Dad, Tim and a friend of mine Mike. Joe and Steve came out and helped too!

Next week we hope to get the deck up and then the following week the rest of the walls!! Stay tuned!!

We used engineered I-beams for our joists. They went in really easy!!

Just wanted to show Sturman that I do actually do some work!!!

Foundation is in!

2006-07-03T22:32:00.000-04:00

The foundation is in and we are ready to move forward. Once the excavator back fills everything and grades the site, we are on our own! That is good news because then we can move on our own timeline.

In some of the pictures, you can see the gentleman that we hired to put the foundation in. His name is Leonard. He has been doing this type of work for a long time. I measured the building to see if it was "square". To do this, you measure diagonally from both corners. The measurements were only off by less than one half inch. That is good! The key to a well built structure starts with the foundation. Click on the pictures to see them larger.

Our first picture as a family in front of our soon to be cabin!

I think next week I want to get the posts in for the deck and then the week after possibly get the floor in and then build the deck! All my volunteers please get ready to get to work. Looks like the last few weeks in July might be busy! This is a little earlier than expected, but that is good! Gives us room for error!

Feel free to leave comments and call me with any questions or suggestions! See y'all soon!

Now we are movin'!!

2006-06-27T22:12:00.000-04:00

Well, there is no turning back now! Katie and I drove out to the property on Tuesday night to meet with our mason. The footers were poured on Monday and even though we had lots of rain, everything looked OK. We decided where the vents would go and where the opening we wanted would be placed. The mason will actually take care of all of that for us. That is a relief. I was disappointed to find out that the other maple I was trying to save had to be taken down. It was close to the foundation and when doing some site work, our excavator had to cut some of the major roots and he felt the tree would not make it. We will plant someting there to replace it! We hope things with the foundation will be close to finished shortly after the Fourth of July.

Here are some photos of our trip on Tuesday.

UH OH!!! Someone got their new boots dirty!!

Finally!!!!

2006-06-26T22:18:00.000-04:00

Well, I am happy to report that things are moving forward!! On Sunday, the excavator was out there leveling the site! I have included some photos. I also started taking apart the deck in front of our trailer. Then tonight (Monday) Katie got a call from the block layer and said that they had gotten the footers poured. I was a bit nervous about the rain, but apparently it was not that bad!! We were asked to drive out there tomorrow and meet with him to discuss a few things like the final height and any openings we might want. This is pretty exciting for us!! We have been waiting for this for a long time!! It is finally here!! Look for some new pictures and info in the next few days!!

Getting closer....

2006-06-22T19:55:00.000-04:00

Well, here we are a month later and things are not progressing as hoped. My inexperience as a contractor is not allowing me to say the right things apparently!!

As I speak, the foundation is not in yet! I have talked to our excavator and he "says" that things will get done this weekend! We shall see. I hope to go out there on Sunday and perhaps have a few pictures. Stay tuned!!

Waiting for Mother Nature...

2006-05-16T09:10:00.000-04:00

Well, we are patiently waiting for the rain to stop and give the excavator the weather he needs to dig the foundation. I was out there over the weekend and used our log splitter to split some of the wood we had out there. I also moved the mulch pile out of the way and roped off our little "Pet Cemetery" so none of it was affected by the site work.

I am hoping some work gets done out there this week.

Set the wheels in motion

2006-05-04T21:52:00.000-04:00

Well, the permit arrived and we are both really excited!! I am going out next week in the evening to meet with the excavator and finalize a few things and then the foundation should go in. This will give me a month or two to clean the area up and get it ready for construction. I also wanted to plant a few trees around the area where others had to come out. Look for pictures once the foundation work begins!

Information update...

2006-04-25T22:44:00.000-04:00

....sorry no pictures of my dad working!!!! Just keeping an updated timeline, that's all. I did a lot of work today. I received a list of materials from a lumber yard in the Southern Tier. I can use this to help me finalize my materials list. They also sent me the names of some gentlemen who install metal roofs. I called one of them tonight and talked with him about helping me with the roof installation. I may just wind up having him do it for me. I would just supply the materials.

I also am planning on meeting with my uncle this Thursday to help me estimate exactly the materials I will need and to discuss with him my plans and timeline to see if things seem accurate.

I also had several discussions with several people about the siding and I am hoping I can talk one of the companies in sending me some samples! I will take pictures of them if I get them and post them for you to see.

Building permit application is out and I am expecting an answer relatively soon.

Feed the BEAST!!!

2006-04-21T10:04:00.000-04:00

We finally went out and rented a chipper/shredder to get rid of all of the brush piles. The guy at the rental store called it the "BEAST". I can see why. This thing was amazing. We started by putting small branches in it, not sure what it could handle. By the time we were finished, we were putting in entire trees. What a difference it made getting all of the brush out of the way. The site is just about cleared now! I need to move the mulch and do a bit more clean-up and we should be ready to go.

The building permit application goes out this week and hopefully we can get the foundation put in by Memorial Day!

Timmmmber......

2006-04-09T21:29:00.000-04:00

On a cold, crisp, gloriously sunny day, my dad and I headed down to the property to finish what we started last week! And did we ever finish. The big maple is down and wow, did it really clear the area out. We took out several other smaller trees that would be in the way in the weeks to come. We have left 5 sections of the tree intact. We left them all about 4 1/2 feet in length and they range in diameter from 8 to 17 inches. I still need to contact a lumber mill to have them cut in 1 and 2 inch slabs.

We plan on next week getting a chipper/shredder and clearing up the huge piles of brush that we have created. Once that is done we will have a better idea on the building site and then just a bit more clean-up to do before the excavators come in.

Sawdust everywhere...

2006-04-02T19:40:00.000-04:00

Well, it was opening day of trout season, so the rest of the boys went fishing while my dad and I stayed back to take the maple down. I have included some photos, including a couple of action shots of my dad "in action". We will get out again next week to finish it off and continue to clear the site and get it ready for excavation.

We hope to have the foundation in by the middle of May. We have decided to go with the block wall foundation. The excavation will be done by the guys who put in our pond. We are a little more comfortable dealing with people who we have worked with before. I will also get the building permit application out in the next couple of weeks as well.

Land preparation begins...

2006-03-26T21:25:00.000-05:00

I drove out to the property on Saturday with Moose. My goals were two-fold. One, I wanted to meet with my excavator and discuss some plans on what we wanted done and where the foundation would go. Second, I wanted to start clearing some trees and brush from the construction site.

It was a nice day and it was great to be out there. Moose had fun as usual. I got quite a bit done as far as taking down some of the thorn apple trees. The excavator showed up about 1:30 or so and we went over some things. He thinks the area I chose is a good spot and doesn't see any issues with anything. I do have to take the large maple out. If you look back at the pictures in the snow, you will notice a large maple tree with a stump leaning against it. That needs to come down. It is unfortunate, but we will be saving some other trees by moving this one out. It should supply plenty of good hardwood for our woodburning stove for years to come.

My dad and I will be going out next weekend for the trout opener (April 1st). My family and I have tried to make a tradition of many of the opening day activities. We won't be fishing though, lots of work to get the land ready. I'll post some before and after pictures of the site after the weekend.

Foundation Estimates

2006-03-19T20:40:00.000-05:00

Well, we finally started getting some numbers to look at. We basically have two choices with our foundation, a block concrete wall or a solid concrete wall. I guess the solid concrete wall would be the strongest. The gentleman who would do the block concrete wall told us it would be about $3300 plus the excavation. It is about what I thought. I am still waiting to hear back from the solid wall contractor. He called me over the weekend and will get back to me soon.

I am hoping to get out over the next couple of weeks and get some more tree work done. I will post some pictures as soon as that it completed. We're getting closer and more anxious by the day!!!

Winter trip to the property

2006-02-22T21:52:00.000-05:00

Well, we were off of school this week and it was a really nice day out, so I decided to take a ride down and check some things out. I also planned to start clearing a few of the smaller trees out of the way to help get the site prepared. I have included a few photos:

The first photo is looking out from the center of the cabin's location and the second picture is looking at the site where the cabin will be built.

I am hoping to get out there in early March to take a few of the larger trees down and get the excavator and mason to finalize their estimates.

Reply from the building inspector

2006-02-17T10:53:00.000-05:00

Well, I got a reply from the building inspector already! He basically said that my plan looks great and there would seem to be no issues in obtaining a building permit. I may start to fill it out and then send it to him.

He did have a few questions or suggestions that I will address and then reply to him when I send out the application. There will be several times throughout construction when he will need to inspect the site, but that is ok with me!

We are on break now, so I will try and get out to the property next week and get a few things done. There are some trees that have to come down, so I will need to get started on that. Once March and April gets here landscaping begins and free time is a rare commodity.

I have included a couple of pictures of some other cabins that I would like ours to look like. We will not have a fireplace, but we are planning on dormers. I am also looking into the possibility of a metal roof, which I would really, really like!!

Letter to the building inspector

2006-02-12T21:37:00.000-05:00

Today, I wrote a long letter to the building inspector of the town our property is located in. I had a lot of questions to ask him, so before I officially fill out the building permit application, I figured that I would drop him a line and ask him a few things. He is a nice guy to talk to so far. I have never dealt with an inspector before, so the last thing I want to do is get on his bad side.

The questions I had dealt with what he wants or needs as far as information aout the cabin. I am not building a real big place, so I didn't know if that would affect how to go about obtaining my permit. I explained in the letter how I was going to frame it and a few other details he would probably want to know about. I hope he will reply soon and let me know what I need to send him to obtain my permit. Hopefully next time you here from me, I will have heard from him and can get the permit process taken care of.

Our journey begins...

2006-02-06T20:08:00.000-05:00

So here we are, in the middle of winter and I can't stop thinking about this cabin. My wife and I have ben planning this for years....ever since we bought this place in 1997!

We have decided on an 18 x 32 footprint (at least for today). This spring we will finalize our foundation plans and get things started. Our plan would be to have that portion of the cabin contracted out and then, with the help of some loyal family and friends, get as much done as we can over the summer. Our goal would be to have it weathered in by the end of the summer and then as time and money allows, finish the interior.

I have a fair amount of construction background. My family has always done things on their own, rarely hiring someone else to get the job done. Through these experiences, especially those with my father I have learned a great deal.

I have also worked over the past couple of summers with a couple of teachers on various construction projects. This has also taught me well.

The cabin itself will have a very open floor plan. We hope to have several small rooms upstairs for sleeping and lots of room downstairs for "entertaining". A covered proch will run the entire 32' along the northwestern side of the cabin, looking out to the front field of our property.

It seems like everyday I am doing something to help prepare for the construction process. I have already figured out a tentative floor plan. I have drawn out framing diagrams and and window locations. I know how I want to install the 4 x 10 rough cut beams across the ceiling and attach to them the 2 x 8 tongue and groove flooring. Stairways are built, sidng is attached, electrical lines are run....all in my mind. I just can't wait to begin!!

Some photos...

2006-02-03T15:46:00.001-05:00

Our cabin will be built to the left of the luxurious green trailer!!!

Welcome

2006-02-03T12:07:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our blog!! We hope you enjoy our story.