The posts will be fewer with winter coming on, and progress is incremental as a rule. One HUGE development, however, is that Todd came up and got the solar hot water system running. This is important because it keeps the cellar warm where there are pipes that could freeze and batteries that need to be kept warm. Pictures of the developments are shown below as usual.
I sprayed on more insulation in the east (left photo) and west (right photo) gables. More insulation will go in as I finish up, but now there is at least some insulation on all the walls.
I love the view looking down on the cabin and across the Shields River valley to the Crazy Mountains. It just doesn’t get old.
We have had a late start on snow, but we’re finally getting some. Wylie had a good attitude with a hike in, enjoying some wandering through the woods and tasting a natural snow cone. Seeing the cabin and knowing there’s a stove and electricity made for a sweet end to the hike.
Todd came up to work on the solar hot water system… on his bike! The packs on his bike were loaded with copper fittings and he ended up pushing the bike most of the way. (He did have a fun ride out!) The good news is that he got the solar hot water system working, although it caused more grief than it should have. The right photo shows Todd with a well earned smile and the main parts of the solar hot water system in the cellar.
Wylie and I finished the evening with a few games of chess. The stacks of tongue and groove lumber made for a reasonable, but not exceptional, bed.
Wylie and I worked on framing in the stem wall and starting on the electrical system. It has been a while since I’ve wired in a receptacle. I think it came out all right, but my speed needs to improve. After the wiring, I will install bat insulation, cover everything with plastic as a vapor barrier, and then finish with tongue and groove pine.
The table put together by Mark and family continues to be heavily used (left photo). Wylie and I did not work quickly, but we got the east stem wall and north stem wall (right photo above) framed in and ready for wiring.
There’s not enough snow for skiing yet, but my continual search for the perfect short-cut keeps the hike interesting.
Insulation on all the walls, the stove is working, the hot water system is working, and you have power and internet. Things really seem to be coming together.