Monday, August 1, 2005

Drove to McCarthy. It was quite the trip. The road was paved and well kept (by Alaskan standards - the hard winters is tough on them...) Once we hit Chitina, though, times changed. Following the old railroad, the McCarthy road was gravel with many potholes. To hit 30 mph was an accomplishment, where most of the travel was around 20, but many places we were looking at 10-15.

Along the way, about 16 miles left to go, we stopped at The Copper Cup. This is a small espresso stand run by Christians. Good coffee and ice cream!

I forget what time we left and what time we arrived, though it was getting dark (which means it was around or after 10:00pm.

We set up camp, but to do that we also had to clear the brush for the camp. Once the tent was up and sleeping bags and pads laid out, we started clearing for the house. Yeah, it was late, but we wanted to get something started, one reason of which is because we had been in Alaska for 3 days with nothing to show for it except traveling!

Tuesday, August 2, 2005

We finished clearing the lot, which didn't take too much time. We set the concrete pads (for a foundation) and Brand and I built the main beams. These were just about ready before breakfast.

Skip and Dean nailed strips on the bottom of the floor joists, to hold the plywood which supports the insulation down there. We were able to square up and put the box together rather quickly, as it was 16' wide and all one piece joists. Skip and Zeb turned to installing the insulation, and we started the decking. Brad laid out 1 wall (the south) and we got that up. After the other wall was up, I thought it might be good if I left for Glennallen to pick up the rest of the 1x4 tongue and groove for the exterior. I left with the truck / trailer at around 7:00 pm.

The drive out was un-eventful. It took 4.5 hours to drive the first 60 miles, then another hour and a half to do the rest to Glennallen. I was getting sleepy, and even though I would sleep for a bit before heading to Glennallen, but once I stopped I figured I'd drive the next 2 miles and load up the trailer anyway. I made it to The Hub at midnight, gassed up, cappuccino, and dropped the propane tank off to have filled. I told the fellow I'd be back in a half hour and went to load up the wood.

The wood was stockpiled at the oil company, and so I drove over and started loading. It felt like I was stealing it being that late at night and all. It rained a little while I was loading, but not enough to hinder progress. I had no coat, for I left in a hurry (to be able to make it back in good time.)

Back at the Hub, I bought the propane and a couple drinks and started driving. The new destination was mile marker 5 on the McCarthy road. With the coffee in me, the trip went with out a hitch.

Wednesday, August 3, 2005

After sleeping for 3 hours in the front seat (and trying the back once) I headed out once again down the old dirt road. Stopping every 6 miles to check the load, I arrived at around 10:00 or so. The Copper Cup was closed again.

Once home, the team had all 4 walls up, and the deck down for the loft. We were ready for the rafters.

Brad laid out the rafters and I helped him cut them. We then put up half while the other guys worked on putting up the tongue and groove siding. It was a good thing that I went to pick up the load when I did, because they were really moving on that real well.

Being very tired (only slept 3 hours last night) I walked about 2 miles round trip (no exaggeration, and I didn't realize it was that far) to get a shower for $5. It was not a nice experience, though it was nice to get clean after 3 days of not.

Thursday, August 4, 2005

Today I built the outhouse. Before breakfast, with nothing to do I figured that I would at least get things started. It was quite the project - trying to figure out everything from the beginning, so you can put things in the right place. But after a while, things began to take shape and all was well.

Dean and Brad finished the rafters, and Brad finished the perlins, some of which I cut for him once the outhouse was completed enough.

Then they all went to get a shower at a motel in town. I didn't 'cause I was still clean (relatively.)

Friday, August 5, 2005

Today was the roof day. We wanted to get it finished, but as we kept looking at things, we kept finding things to extra to do. Like blocking the gables, as well as blocking between the rafters above the wall. The latter was fixed by Skip and Zeb putting in tongue and groove, the former by Brad and myself installing 11 1/4" blocks under the perlins that were overhanging. We started on putting sheets of tin on once the tongue and groove was completed in the gables, fascia trim and drip edge was installed by Brad.

By the end of the day, we were running out of screws because we forgot the 'stitch' screws back home. No worries, that'll just have to be done later.

Saturday, August 6, 2005

Finished trim on roof, Braid put in the windows and doors, trimmed the doors, Skip, Dean and Zeb broke camp.

Drove to Kennicott mine and toured that a bit.

Drove to Slana - Brad, Connie, Kristy and Kelly drove ahead and the 4 of us that were left took our time getting home. Stopped at The Hub of course for more cappuccino.

Sunday, August 7, 2005

Decided what to do in the afternoon - settling down on the idea to go and put Cole's roof on his house.

Went to Church and had a good time with Jasper, Glen and Mary Lee.

Once we got home we planed the trim boards needed to trim out Cole's house, breaking for lunch (grilled chicken and rice.)

Packed the truck - wood on top and out the back with all the tools needed. The Nebesna road wasn't too bad - till us a hour and a half to get there.

We arrived at 5:30 or so, and finished roofing by 10:30. It went well, only one of us fell off the roof!

They had supper for us (corn on the cob, ham. mashed potatoes, biscuits and gravy with Chocolate cake for desert. We left around 11:00 - 11:30. Brad drove some of the way home, and I took over for the rest of the trip. We got home at 1:00 pm.

Monday, August 8, 2005

Nobody wanted to get up today, but we did anyway. Brad and Zeb got Kim's car up and running at 5:30, I got up at 7:00 something.

We unloaded the truck and loaded it up again with things to take to Anchorage. Ate at Subway again, then stopped at Walmart in Anchorage. We got to Matt and Kelly's, had an hour or so to kick around before taking the 3 guys to the airport.

We watched a movie - The Village. A weird movie, good photography, acting, directing, but lowsy story.

Tuesday, August 9, 2005

Slept in to about 7:45. Still hard getting going - everyone is still exhausted from the previous week's work. After breakfast (egg McMuffins) I packed my bags for my trip home. Then I was able to help scrape the house (Matt & Kelly's) as they are painting. Quit at 11:30, took a shower, ate some lunch (Pizza Hut pizza) then headed to the airport. Brad swung by the lake so I could get some photos of the float planes.

I think I got to the airport at 12:45 or so. It took an hour to go through 2 security checks (1 to drop my bags at TSA, the other I stood in line for at least a half-hour to get through the security check before the gates. The plane was just about totally boarded before I was able to get on.

That flight was un-eventful, and I waited in Vancouver for 3 hours till the next flight. During which time I ate Subway and fleshed this page out.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

I went to Wetaskiwin, but not sure why. Took some photos on the way home.

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

We've been having a lot of rain lately...

Friday, August 26, 2005

After work today, I drove up to Friesen's place. Once I got there, we piled in the van and went to Dave and Sally's for supper. It was a good time to meet with them. They will be around for a couple more months.

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Today I did some last minute things on the truck. Installed some driving lights up front and changed the tranny oil. The lights worked great, but for some reason the tranny didn't want to cooperate. Now, it either shifts very hard or won't stay in overdrive. I wasn't sure if the oil we used wasn't any good or what, but I probably got some dirt in there would be my guess. Or, it just knocked some things loose that got jammed in the valve body. Either way, it poses a beast to drive. Not bad considering that I've 4,000 miles to go!

Left there late, around 10:30 or 11:00. All I know is I got home at around 1:00 am the next day.

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Went to church, then home to pack. Yes - packing after church and before leaving to drive to Idaho. Roger and Renee came over with a DQ burger, and helped me get the topper on the truck. I think it was around 4:00 when I left.

Monday, August 29, 2005

Pulled into Russ' place at around 1:00 am. Spent the day looking over the equipment and making sure things worked. So far so good, except that the powered speakers are 110v 60hz, so that will have to be replaced. Heather can get one shipped to PA to arrive the Friday before we leave. Apparently the company we originaly bougth throuh doesn't allow shipping the 220v 50hz speakers to anywhere within the States.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

After waiting for UPS to arrive, I took off, heading East. Drove 90 to 94 to Cateract, WI.