Halloween Update

Today is October 31, Halloween.  A day for tricks and treats, but the Klossner's have had more treats than tricks!  

Last week we were concerned about getting our power in, as Black Hills Energy hadn't come and laid down the power....well, no more!  This past week Black Hills Energy dug their trenches and laid all the power lines underground.  That was a great thing to see...as we had a bit of cold weather and some snow, but the ground isn't frozen and we are all set!  Black Hills Energy still need to come and hook up the lines into a transformer and then turn the power on, but at least the lines are laid.  Of course, our mountain has a large scar on it now and our driveway looks like someone chewed it up and spit it out!   I don't worry to much, as Mother Nature will take care of it this coming spring!  

                       

Top of power lines.  Look hard and you will see the cable
coming out of the ground. The stake with flag represents
the transformer box

Going up the mountain where they laid the power lines
underground.  Looks like a road, but Mother Nature
will regroup and make it pretty again!

Our home, in just one week's time, has grown walls, more windows and doors.  As of today we are up 12 logs high and we go to 13 before they start the roof trusses.  All the roofing and the roof ridge pole have been delivered and are waiting to be completed.  Pictures tell you everything!

Up 12 logs high...we got to 13 before they start the roofing.
The pile of lumber in front is the roof and the large, long
"thing" on top is the ridgepole that goes across the top

No interior walls yet, but Hans and I still pretend we know where things are going to go!

Looking up from the basement you
can see the log walls growing

This evening we met with Steve Copp, our general contractor, from Above Treeline Construction and Mike York, the window and kitchen cabinet guy!  What a treat for us.  Mike guided us through the design of our new kitchen, selecting cabinets, wood, placement of cabinets, door types, glides, soft/hard closures, glass doors, appliance locations....you name it regarding a kitchen and we made our selections!   It was fun having all these choices...let's just hope they turn out as cool in real life as they seem on paper!

Having experts in their fields help you with your discussions, questions and ideas sure does help.  Thanks Steve and Mike!


For more pictures check out my FaceBook page...it is fun to share with all of you and we thank all of you for your interest!  We love sharing our dream with you!!!!

Mantle Mania

A side bar to the construction is the making of three mantels we are going to place above the fireplaces. I found that debarking an aspen log is quite a trick. First I tried scraping with a draw knife but found I couldn't tell the difference between bark close to the wood and the wood itself. I then discovered that using a chisel to peel the bark like an orange gave me a better idea as to where the wood started. Once I got that far it was a snap to use the draw knife to smooth out the rough log and make ready for sanding.

Here are a couple of pictures to give you an idea of what is involved.

Cutting logs can be easy if one has a really good chain saw.

Two logs gave me four potential mantels. Should I make an extra just in case? I think yes.

A draw knife by itself doesn't help make much progress.

Peel it like an orange, I say!

Peeling makes quick work of a lot of bark

Then it is easier to use the draw knife.

Whittling on a large scale.

Much different than the original log. Takes about an hour or so per log to strip the bark.

Logs Going Up

Today, Saturday, October 23 Hans and I drove up to "our mountain" to see what progress has been done on our home.  As I have been out of town for the past two weeks, I haven't been able to see the progress.  Since I was up there two weeks ago, our logs have been delivered, framing done in the basement, sub-flooring completed and in some spots at least 4 layers of logs have been laid.

The front windows and front door have been framed in.  It is becoming a home that has definition rather than just a vision.

Disappointed in Black Hills Energy, as the power hasn't been run yet.  We are worried that they are dragging their feet.  If we don't get this in before the ground freezes it won't get in until spring...which won't work for the rest of the construction.  Right now the construction crew is using our generator to produce electricity for the current construction, but it won't work for inside work.  Hans is going to call on Monday and "rattle some chains" to see if he can find out what the problem is.  Our weather has turned quite cold and on Tuesday of this coming week it is supposed to be 17 degrees...now that's cold!  However, just after that it warms up again and by the weekend will be high 50's.

If the electricity gets in, the rest can be done even in cold weather.  So far, only snow flurries...nothing measureable.

Needless to say, we are hoping for a warm winter and sunny days...I know that goes against the grain of what most people hope for our Colorado winters.

Here are some photos to keep you updated on our progress...our dream is becoming reality!

From behind the house looking to the back door...You can see the front window and front door framed

Side view of the logs.  This one has been cut for the door frame.  On the top of the log you will see the framing strip that insulates the log.  They add a strip of insulation and then the next log.  Creates a very tight seal

Better view of the framing strip and insulation

There is always clean up.  Hans and I try to do what we can while we are there to pick up trash, bits of wood, etc. to help clean up the area.  It definitely looks like a construction zone.  As I sit and fantasize about our future landscaping

Outside corner...looking like Lincoln Logs...notice the tight fit!  Well sealed.
We will NOT have chinking between the logs

Inside corner where bathroom and outside meet

We have logs

Today the logs milled by Rocky Mountain Homes in Montana arrived and were moved onto the build site by fork lift. We weren't there, but we understand something like this is organized chaos. Here are a few pictures to show that the logs really made it to their new home.

What fun this is.

Basement Walls and more....

Today, 10-10-10, was an exciting day for the Klossners. We went to our mountain home site and the footings are done, basement walls are up, sealed and backfilled.  We even have basement window openings!


This coming week we have been told to expect the subflooring to be put up and hopefully the electric company will be there to dig the trench and get the lines laid and connected to the box. We are waiting on Black Hills Energy to get this completed. It was ordered first of September, and we were told it was 3 weeks to get it done. It has now been 5 weeks and still no electricity! 

Our logs are being put on the "truck" on Monday and will be driven to our home site. They are coming from Montana, all shrink wrapped and protected from weather. (Interesting, since they are logs and will be in the weather all the time!) We ordered the logs from Rocky Mountain Homes and they are stunning. We were sent pictures to verify that we had 9 inch logs. 

Hans and I selected two wonderful aspens to cut and will become our mantles for our fireplaces. We will need 3 mantles: living room, bedroom and family room. Hans then sliced the trees in half and we brought them home. Hans is going to sand them, cut them flat on one side and varnish them to become our mantles made from aspen trees from our land! How cool is that! 



We just missed Amy Zehnder and Cindy Coe as they came up to see the progress...but we had already left for Colorado Springs.  Love having people stop by so we can share our excitement!  


Some pictures to share:

Basement walls with sealant and basement window outside view

Inside of house in basement.  Two windows and backfilled

Logs we will use for our 3 fireplace mantles

Hans geared up to saw trees for mantles

Hans cutting the trees into halves for our mantles

Two halves--two mantles.  Hans is so creative he will make these into our mantles

Filling the Hole

Today, a visit to the home site revealed that the footings are in and the basement walls have been formed. Technically we are above ground but not quite. I also completed moving all the downed trees out of the construction area so when the foundation is in and the builder starts in ernest, there will be room to move the mountains of dirt removed from the hole.

Of course the mountains of dirt also contain gold but it is near impossible to get out and is expected to contain about a half ounce for every 5 tons of ore processed. Way to much for me right now.

Next post should show visible signs of progress.