Main Cabin Build... Part 2

**We last left off having just finished the concrete slab work... Now, on to the building!**

Once the concrete had cured it was finally time to start building the cabin walls and since we were already way into October with winter threatening, we had no time to waste!

The first walls up were set especially to give our supervisors a safe space from which to perform their helpful duties...

Normally we would frame all the walls before starting on the plywood BUT our supervisors needed a spot from which
to work so we put a few sheets up for a safe corner-nook where they could be safely involved...

We took a few walk breaks in the chilly Fall air...
I'll follow these sweet lil' bums ANYwhere!!

It was really exciting when we finally started framing the walls!

Well... maybe not SO exciting for EVERYbody...

Apparently, working chilly evenings is not for everyone.

 

We were graced with one incredibly rare warm, sunny, late October day that we used to it's absolute fullest to finish as much of the framing as we could...

 

Day and Play were so happy to be able to work without jammas or jackets and it was even so warm in
the sunshine that they needed their pup-tent for shade naps!

Building is FUN... the mess of building..... not so fun.......

 

 

But then... the weather suddenly turned so cold with intermittent snow flurries and the roof going on was just tooooo loud for the boys... so the boys and I missed the roofing part of building. Enz had to work SO FAST to get the shell closed in before the real snow flew, it was easier with us out of the way anyhow.

 

Enz was so panicked about not getting closed in before the real snow flew that he asked our neighbour, an old family friend of mine who is a carpenter for help on the roof. So between Enz, his dad and Stephen... the trusses, plywood and shingles were on in just a matter of days.

 



 

The framing and roofing was finished but the windows would have to wait
until Spring so we Tyvek-ed and tarped to get through the snowy months.

 

 

 

And that's when true Winter decided to set in...

 

We had a few warmer days of snow for camp walks before it became snowsuit time but we all hoped the bitter
deep-freeze wouldn't keep us aways for too awfully long.



 

We still drove out to enjoy camp walks...



And explored the forest to find coooool calling cards of the coooooool beaver family!

 

We even tested out the skating rink on the bay!

And we visited inside the cabin for little bits, too... even in the chilliness!



We didn't spend too much time there, just enough to check that everything
was still well and secure as could be.



The boys were excellent checkers of window and door tarp closures...
no bugs or tiny forest dwellers could sneak through their checkpoints!

Sometimes it was warm enough that we could stay long enough to do little bits
of work on the inside in getting ready for wiring and stuff like that.

But the boys always said when enough was ENOUGH and were not shy
about showing their dad to our makeshift doorway!

 

Winter visits were fun, but we couldn't wait until the real cabin work
could finally begin again...

Having the outside shell finished was pretty heart-lifting, but always having to leave so soon when all we really wanted to do was curl up in the cabin before a toasty fireplace with steaming mugs of hot chocolate was a little hard to take. Patience sure may be a virtue but that doesn't mean it's an easy feat!


To be continued...

Main Cabin Build... Part 1

**Here's where I left off last time with the guest cabin build... We had JUST finished with the tiny guest cabin build and from this point, we were DEFINITELY waiting a few years before starting work on the main cabin! Until the following weekend came along and we decided it wouldn't hurt to maybe just start forming for the floor... We're not so good at sticking to schedules when it includes having to wait.......**

So now, on to the Main Cabin start!

I figure since we are getting on toward the finishing of our main cabin build I would try and share what we have done so far...

I was able to help with building the guest cabin but I have only been able to help little bits with the main cabin so far... now that I have some good mobility back, that is about to change! I have big plans for being able to help with the finishing of the cabin this year and now that the weather is turning and there are tiny hints of springtime in the air, I am getting pretty excited about finally finishing and getting to the whole enjoying part of having a camp!

We were already into Fall and weren't supposed to start on the main cabin for a few years buuuuut the boys weren't overly comfortable with staying in the tiny guest cabin for long periods and we wanted to be closer to the water in comfort as well as thinking that it would just be a relief to get all the building mess over and done with so we could just get down to camp relaxing and fun.

So, I started designing and Enz started forming and together we tweaked the plans until we had our agreed upon floorplan... small but with a larger open feel to the cabin that we hoped would live up to our expectations.


Forming the cabin foundation was the first step.

Forming is finicky and not fun but... it's a necessary evil and the first footprint
view is always exciting in the start of making it all happen!

A long way to go but it's a good start.

The boys and I missed a lot of the plumbing pipes and rebar install because with
the busy workdays it was just easier for Enz not to have to worry about having
to take breaks to help us with walks and getting settled. But seeing the slab fully
ready for concrete was pretty exciting.

The boys were excited to watch their dad tying final bits of rebar...
but only from the heated warmth of the guest cabin!

 Next came the concrete finishing work!

The boys were pretty bummed that we had missed the concrete trucks because
the drivers had been earlier than planned...



...but at least we got there in time to watch the magic happen! Nonno was already
smoothing carefully around the plumbing pipes.

The two master finishers were kind enough to indulge my request
for a quick commemorative picture!

First up in finishing was the rough blade finish along with the finicky
anchor bolt placing and plumbing pipe edging.

After the rough blades, it was time to switch to the smoothing blades.

Here is a close-up view of the rough blade finish with the hand-finished outer edge. We were so lucky that the day was mostly cloudy and cool because it offered a really good set for the concrete... it can be a scary, mad rush while finishing in
summer, sun-baking heat so that was one plus for starting so late in the season!

PlayDay supervisor nap/chat-breaks were as necessary as they were cozy and quiet in the guest cabin!

The only worker who was granted a break was Dad... and it was only for Day's
benefit of a carry up to the guest cabin when he was too tired and refused to climb
the hill on his own. He started his nap on the way up and wasn't so pleased about
being set down when he had been enjoying his fresh air nap-ride...

Play, as usual, was annoyed with his big brothers carry demands...
"Seri'sly?" he asked me, "does he act'lly neeeeed a carry every single time???!"

Then the boys watched for a minute longer just to be sure everyone
was still in top form before they decided they were good for their break.



They chatted (complained) for a few minutes about their workload...

...before demanding to be tucked in for a good, long afternoon nap!

But the supervisors didn't give many breaks to the Finishers continuing to work on the cabin floor...

Machine work...

...and hand-work makes for a hard day of non-stop WORK!

This is a little video of the concrete finishing action... It really is an art form and these two Concrete Finishers have been mastering the trade for over 50 years!

And how fortunate and grateful we are that they are still both physically able and heartfully willing to help us on what will hopefully be our last building project ever... But who knows, I always say it's our "last time ever!!"

To be continued...