Rework on loft railing- it failed the quality check

After a quick trip to Lowe's to get more spindles this morning, a return trip to the cabin to continue the loft rail work. It was 55 degrees inside which was pretty warm since it was only 45 outside and had got down to 40 during the night. Beulah must have had it pretty warm most of the night to hold the heat.

Upon arrival, there were 4 squirrels enjoying the re-filled feeders. Big Ninja squirrel wasn't with them. He was probably curled up in a fetal position sleeping off yesterday's feast. Won't take these guys long to go through 50 lb of food; everyone is inviting friends over to dine.

The big guy wasn't happy with the spindles installed yesterday so we had to take them back down and replace them. This time, custom cut the new ones and drilled counter-sink holes to conceal the wood screws with oak button caps. Finished installing all the spindles on the 12' side of the loft. Well, with 6 feet reserved for the metal art; actually only installed 10 to fill the 3 foot sections on each end. The biggest challenge was cutting the angles and fitting the railing and toe board beside the ladder. After a few mistakes, finally cut precision pieces that fit exactly  between the post and the ceiling. Legs gave out from going up and down the ladder so unfortunately didn't get the spindles cut/installed in this section. Each spindle has to be custom cut due to the ascending run and ceiling angle.

Beulah was good and hot so she made a pot of coffee and cooked clam chowder for lunch. Maybe tomorrow we'll finish the last of the spindles and apply the final coat of stain before sealing it all with semi-gloss poly seal.

Reloading Firewood

With rain and colder weather in the forecast, I spent time on the west side of the farm in the forest cutting firewood for Beulah. Its amazing how many white oaks have died and are either dropping limbs or falling over. At least there is an abundance of seasoned wood available. With the front end loader filled, I returned to the cabin and off loaded it all on the porch to air dry for a future day.

Continuing work on the loft railings and trim. Its a slow progress due to having to cut, stain and then cure before installing. With the hand and foot rails up, I'm now installing the spindles while also cutting, staining and installing quarter-round trim around the loft flooring.

Cleaned out ashes in the fireplace and installed a new cast iron grate. Also installed a solar spot light out near some pines off the porch to shine on them after dark. Lastly, after seeing Ninja Squirrel searching the empty feeders, I picked up 50# of squirrel food to keep him and his little buddies, the chipmunks (that are still awake) fed over the next week.

Unexpected visitor

I made it to Krogers today and stocked up on groceries for the cabin. The cabinets are now full and there are 5 liters of Merlot in the fridge.

While staining the cabin loft railings (again), Nic showed up for a visit in the woods. He rummaged around in the kitchen cabinets, stoked Beulah with a hot wood fire and before I knew it we were sitting together at the dinner table eating home made cream of potato, bean and bacon soup. So nice having a culinary arts major in the family. I didn't even know we had the ingredients to make what he put together; it was really good! Always a treat when one of the kids comes out to check on the cabin progress.

Loft progress Report

The cabin just keeps me coming back. I'm obsessed with trying to get it finished and don't know why. Once it's done, I'll just kick back and hang out and occasionally have guests. Kuma d.o.g. is really depressed that I haven't been taking her with me on work details. She doesn't understand that it is so muddy, I can't even drive the 4x4 vehicles and have to use a 4WD tractor to get back to the site. Yesterday I drove Maximus, Nic's 4WD Ranger to drop off the loft railing posts. As I was leaving, the truck slid sideways down the pasture hill in the muddy soil. Thank goodness for anti-lock brakes as they finally stopped me before sliding down into a grove of trees.

Today I finished installation of all 5 loft posts. They were mounted by counter sinking lag bolts into the 4x4 timbers that supports the loft and are behind the paneling. After the bolts were tightened down, I glued wooden plugs in the holes to conceal the bolts. All the posts have now been stained Early American. The posts will need one more coat before putting a clear finish coat on top. I also cut trim, the handrails and foot rails and stained most of the lumber before calling it a day. A recent review of My Ohio Cabin on the Small Cabin Forum said they couldn't believe its only 16'x24' as it seems much larger. I can't wait to post pictures of the finished loft railing with the black bears running through the forest. It may be a small cabin but it really takes my breath away when I open the front door as it looks more like a lodge than a cabin. Returning to continue this project tomorrow.

Working during the rain

So enjoyed the cabin today with all the rain. Such a peaceful sound hearing the rain on the roof while watching squirrels and birds out at the feeders. Beulah was all I needed to warm the cabin to a balmy 70 degrees while working on the sleeping loft. Finished the loft access ladder today and move on to mounting the railing posts. Had to shim 2 so they would be plum  but otherwise, an uneventful task. Returned to base home and cut one of the 4x4" posts in halves so I could mount a half post as the terminal post at the wall. Next up is staining them before adding the handrails and toe boards. 

Didn't want to leave. Sat in the rocker and just melted into the peacefulness of a rainy, cold December day.

Loft Work

Today I began building the loft ladder. Using (2) 2"x4"x10' studs and 2"x4"x17" rungs, attached with (2) 5" lag bolts counter-sunk through each end with a little liquid nails, we now have a loft ladder that will pass the 300 lb load test :). Had to go back to Lowe's to pick up more wooden plugs to conceal the heads of the lag bolts before its stained. Its really nothing fancy but is quit functional. What more do you need to climb 8 feet up on the loft than a basic ladder? The primary objective is to make it functional, not too big and keep with the rustic, Early American stain theme. Now that I've decided to install it on the corner of the red wall, I will need to move the carbon monoxide detector and re-position the artwork on the wall to maintain balance.

Using the gift certificate my daughter Natalie gave me for Christmas, I returned to Menard's today, too. I purchased the posts for the deck, also the toe boards and hand rails. Now that I've decided to put the wrought iron artwork between the posts of black bears running through the forest, I'm trying to decide what type of spindles to use. Nic recommends black spindles as the posts, handrails and toe boards will be stained Early American; same as the wall.

Bears in the forest art work on order. 29" x 68". Should look good on the loft rail.

Christmas presents at the cabin

I am so blessed with a wonderful family and good friends so sharing Christmas gift giving is just an added joy. Today, my daughter gave me a $100 Menard's gift certificate that I already have plans for with an upcoming cabin project. My son Brandon and his girlfriend Wendy gave me a new "menu" sign for the kitchen and a beautiful 4 qt cast iron dutch oven for soup beans. I also received a bottle of Crown Royal from some good friends, Misty and Carla after helping them with a Christmas party this weekend.

Even with all that was going on this weekend, I found time to finish putting the flooring down on the sleeping loft.

Beulah has all the essentials for a soup bean dinner

Brandon and Wendy gave me this Wolfgang Puck cast iron dutch oven

Menu posted thanks to Brandon and Wendy

Sleeping loft flooring now completed.

Wishing Everyone a Merry Christmas

Back to Menard's

With the Christmas season upon us,  time is very limited to just relax at the cabin. The transition in life to the big elf in red keeps me almost too busy visiting children to get much done on the project. However, today I arrived at Menard's when the doors opened to take advantage of their Christmas sale on flooring. The loft is not a high traffic area and at only 8'x12', once a full size bed is installed there really won't be much floor space so laminate flooring is going to be installed. I wanted to avoid the really thin laminate as I've heard nothing but bad reviews on it. I picked out the heavier grade with padding already installed on each section. To cover the ~100 square feet, Menard's had a good quality floor for about $80. I'll be installing this and building the loft ladder during the holiday break. Also picked out posts and railing for the loft. I'm planning wrought iron artwork in the center section of black bears running through the forest. After putting the loft ladder rails up, I've decided to hang the ladder at the far end of the loft just around the corner from the bathroom wall. This will allow it to stand offset from the wall without becoming a tripping hazard. It also opens the entire 12' length of the loft for the wrought iron artwork which will be about 68" x 32". Going to look nice and be an eye catcher upon entering.

Cabin Update pictures



Ceiling and ridge beam finished



Dining area. Ready to start on loft ladder and railing

Ceiling looking south over sleeping loft

Christmas fireplace

Ceiling completed.

Santa Claus visits ManCamp

Santa likes the cabin at ManCamp

Finishing touches

The last few visits to the cabin have been focused on finishing all the work related to the high elevation so I can return Ray Rigsby's tall ladder. With the ceiling boards installed and the ridge beam dressed out, the last tasks needing completed were the ones for installing trim. All the trim boards have been stained and have a satin cover coat. All the trim has now been installed around the fireplace and it's gable end. Only 2 more pieces to install tomorrow and the next project will be the sleeping loft flooring and railing.  Pictures soon.

Moving on to trim

With the ceiling paneling project now complete, I've moved on to cutting and installing the ceiling trim. Today I installed the 1"x6" stained hickory finish plate on the underside of the rough pair of 2"x10"s that were used for the ridge beam. This board now makes the cabin look like a lodge with a beautiful ridge beam. I stained it Early American so it is in full contrast with the Antique Oak high gloss ceiling. I'll post pictures after the trim is installed.

Ceiling finished

The last ceiling boards have been installed and for all intent, it is finished. Now moving on to installation of the ridge beam finished cap and trim that needs to go up the gable ends and around the fire place. Difficult finding time to work with Christmas just around the corner. Once I get the trim up, I'll post additional pictures. Pretty proud of how it looks. So glad when a plan comes together; it's just as I dreamed it would be.

Last board stained

The final coat of stain and poly has been applied to the last 10 boards for the ceiling. It's good to know this is behind us. Once cured, we'll get them installed and the ceiling will be finished. A warm fire in the fireplace was just what I needed to motivate me to finish the job. Afterwards, the cold night wind that hit me in the face as I opened the door was laced with wood smoke from the chimney above. What a wonderful smell in cold weather!

As I walked out of the woods and past the old farm house in the dark, the 60 ft pines roared like the ocean waves as the wind rustled through their needles. Who needs a conch shell to hear the ocean when you have the wind and majestic pines?

Moon Rise over ManCamp

The late fall moon always rises in the east above the hill behind the cabin. On days like today, shortly after the sun goes down, an autumn moon wastes no time before eliminating a December evening's darkness. As it rises above the eastern trees, it's so beautiful as it illuminates the hollow below. Although it was 36 degrees out, I sat on the porch enjoying the view and the shadows cast through the trees. A distant coyote in Scioto Trails breaks the silence and reminds me once again that I'm not alone.

A second coat of stain has been applied to the last 10 ceiling boards for the ceiling; only 1 more coat and all will be ready to finish the ceiling project.

Blustery Cabin Day

Not quite winter yet but with the wind whipping and temperatures falling in the low 30s while spitting snow flurries outside, it was clearly knocking on the cabin door. Fires in both Beulah and the fireplace kept the cabin above 70 while I worked some more on the ceiling paneling. With the last trip to Menard's behind me, I hung all the finished boards available and then sanded, vacuumed and stained what will be the final 10. Hopefully I can stay focused and get these boards finished before the weekend so I can wrap this significant project up.

Mud Trails

Libby the jeep could not make it to the cabin today due to the mud and water run-off on the farm road into the hollow. Even with 4 WD low range she slid sideways and came close to hanging up below the pond levee. Once freed from the mire and safely on flat ground, I switched to the tractor for a trip back to the cabin. No sign of the free range goats today. Gun shots in the Scioto Trails was a stark reminder we're in the heart of deer gun season in Ohio. Hopefully, the goats escaped the gun fire. Once inside, I gave Beulah a rest and built a nice fire in the fireplace. It was 46 degrees inside when I arrived but 39 and falling outside. The insulation in the ceiling is making a significant difference retaining heat and helping warm the cabin quickly once a source is established. I finished another quart of stain putting a second coat on trim strips for top of ceiling under ridge beam and  the first coat applied on 10 more 10' ceiling boards.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Cabin regulars

What a cold rain today in the woods! Although it was only 43 degrees, the wind and rain made it feel much colder. Before staining trim, I built a big fire in Beulah and knocked the chill off. With a pot a coffee percolating, I made some 'turtles' by placing Rollo's on top of tiny twist pretzels and baking them in the oven. A former co-worker, Rich Gill taught me this little secret and he was right, they are succulent! With the generator running, I put True Lies in the DVDs and kicked back with coffee and turtles.

The free range goat herd in the forest are now regulars at the cabin. Could be the corn I throw out but I just think they are really curious. They really don't harm anything and leave about as soon as they come. Just another group of friends that are always welcome. Someone will end up picking one off and try to pass it off as a deer kill. This is southern Ohio...

First Day of Deer Gun Season

The first day of gun season finds me in the cabin holding down the fort and ensuring nobody considers the cabin as an oasis in the woods. Southern Ohio brings out all kinds of people in search of their first kill of the season. Unfortunately, property lines and fencing is seldom respected when in the hunt. Thankfully, no issues and no close gunshots.

Worked on hanging more ceiling boards on the unfinished lower half. The ceiling is 24' long so I took a tape measure to check just how far off my courses were from one end to the other. I was shocked to find that both ends measured exactly 29" from the top of the last course of paneling to the ridge beam. We've been very lucky with this cabin being square. Who would have thought that after all these boards installed that we would be perfectly plum! With 10 unfinished boards at the cabin, I need about 15 more to finish this project. Looking forward to completing it and tearing down all the tooling and moving on to laying tongue and groove flooring. I actually enjoy that project since all the boards are already finished and computer cut to tight installation specs.

Beulah really likes the wood Robbie and I cut this past weekend. She sure throws off lots of heat. Great green tea stove.

Making Progress

Finally, the upper ceiling is completed. I thought having the loft would make this side more accessible but I didn't realize how difficult it would be installing the final 4 courses. Too close to the edge to have a good seat and yet the ladder was no help as it couldn't be positioned close enough. I learned to work with 1 foot on the loft and the other on the ladder to finish the runs. Now anxious to finish the lower side. Looks like about 20-25 more 10' boards to finish this.

Finished staining the hickory finish board to go on the ridge beam. Using the same Early American stain but it looks much different on the hickory than pine. It will look really good in contrast with the ceiling at the ridge.

Robbie assisted with cutting firewood this weekend and we were successful in filling the tractor's front end loader with 3 loads that we neatly stacked on the porch. Really glad he helped out, I don't have the patience to cut the 2-3" diameter stove wood by myself. He just kept feeding branches to me and we cut enough to keep Beulah hot for weeks. The little stuff burns really hot and is quick to warm up the oven for biscuits and corn bread.

As we were sitting in the woods while I sharpened the saw chain, the 'free range' goat herd came wandering by with their bells ringing. I have no idea who owns these rascals but they seem to enjoy just hanging out in the woods. They stopped to munch on honeysuckle surrounding a locust and then were off into the woods again. A large flock of wild turkeys also came through just migrating from one ridge to the other like they owned the place.

We filled the bird and squirrel feeders to keep everyone happy. Ninja squirrel is still coming around and still competing with the raccoons and chipmunks for the shelled corn. Looking forward to the first snow at the cabin this year with all the dependents that come through looking for hand outs.

Beat the Rain

With rain moving into southern Ohio, it was a good day to take advantage of Nic's Ranger to get more ceiling boards before the moisture arrived. I also picked up finished hickory to cap the ridge beam. During initial construction, we used 2x10s bolted, nailed and glued together to make the ridge beam to hang the rafters from. Although functional, its not very attractive from the underside so I'll stain the hickory and dress it out.  With dark clouds above and a deluge just minutes away, it was a stressful 25 minute drive worrying that I would get all that green pine and expensive hickory wet. Thankfully, it was only sprinkling as I arrived at the cabin from Menard's. Once stacked inside, a change of direction had me up on a ladder staining the new finish boards and trim installed around the skylights. Afterwards, a third and final coat of stain was put on a group of boards and 10 of the new boards were sanded, vacuumed and stained with the first coat.

Insulation complete

With use of Ray Rigsby's ladder, I've been able to complete installation of all the insulation between the roof rafters. I also picked up some select 3" pine and framed the skylights. Hopefully I can get a coat of stain on the skylights this weekend. With only 14" left to panel on the uphill side of the ceiling, another load of paneling will complete it and go a long way in finish the ceiling project. Can already feel a significant difference in how fast the cabin heats up once the fires are built.

Chorizo on Beulah

Nic made fresh chorizo sausage and brought it home from culinary school. Since I planned to do work on the cabin this afternoon, I took it with me to prepare. After building a fire in Beulah, I covered the sausage with beer and simmered it while baking corn bread. The smell of garlic and all the spices really filled the cabin. Made a very nice little meal. Too bad Kuma d.o.g. wasn't with me to share. She hates the hunters that are shooting in the forest so I left her behind.

Simmering in a skillet of beer on Beulah.

Cabin Coffee

After two months of trial and error, finally, a percolated pot of coffee on Beulah that has full body, is aromatic, and filled with tasteful flavor memories from mom's kitchen 40 years ago. It took grinding beans and many failed sample pots but I lucked into it by chance Saturday morning. After incrementally increasing the measured grounds, I inadvertently lost track of time and percolated the pot 15 minutes. We're there, it was great, not bitter, just right. Now, when visitors want a rich, unique cup of java while visiting, I will be serving up the best the cabin has to offer. Another project completed.

This weekend I completed boxing skylights with 1"x 10" finished pine, now ready to frame and apply some stain. Continued with ceiling paneling and still making good progress as completion nears. Ray Rigsby, a friend and great man, loaned a 12' step ladder that should provide access needed to finish without having to erect scaffolding.

Beulah hard at work in the kitchen.

Pot of coffee percolating on the scalding top of Beulah.

Skylight above loft after boxing it in with finished boards

View from where bed on loft will be positioned. Nothing but
God's heaven above to enjoy both during the day and night.

Antenna erected at edge of forest behind cabin.
Still using the old rotor from mid-70s.
HighDefinition antenna upgrade.

Good, HD picture on TV "free through air".

Top of the ladder

Still making good progress installing ceiling boards in the cabin. I'm working at the dangerous level on the 8' step ladder. You know, the step that you don't ever want to go above. I've been working on the 'uphill' side or the side in the cabin that has the skylights. All boards have been installed between the skylights and now I'm just above them. There is less than 2' needing paneled to complete this side.  A little slow down cutting around the recessed light but that too has been completed. Also picked up more insulation to install. It seems to work real well just sliding 23" wide pieces down between rafters after installing boards. I really need to find another step ladder that is 10 or 12 foot tall or just set up scaffolding to complete this. I'm now ready to take down the Buck head and get serious with finishing out this side. Also plan to finish the skylights with finish boards and trim. Looking back, I'm running 1-2 months behind where I wanted to be at this time but the ceiling will still be finished and we'll move to the flooring next. I've been looking at furniture. 'England' has a nice queen size sleeper sofa that is a combination leather and aztec that would go great under the window. I'm already having dreams of sleeping in front of the fireplace on a cold winter night.







The cabin keeps me coming back

Today at sunrise I picked Robbie up and we arrived at a cold cabin for work. It didn't take long to warm the place up after building fires in both Beulah and the fireplace. We knocked a 30 degree chill off in a hurry and it was quickly a warm and toasty 70.

We worked on hanging the last of the pre-finished ceiling boards before quiting due to the Ohio State Buckeye's game at noon. I don't recall how many boards were actually hung but it was less than 10.

After the game, I took Kuma back to the cabin intending to sand and stain another 10-20 boards. Nic and his friend Kaleb showed up so we just hung out instead of me doing any work.That is the joy of building a cabin, you really don't have to do anything if you don't want to. With darkness moving in, we built fires and sat in front of the fireplace listening to the radio. Nic and I enjoyed some green tea made on Beulah while he tuned in Christmas carols on the radio. Nic asked if I would put a Christmas tree up in the cabin this year.

The magic begins.

Off The Grid Evening

With the rain dancing on the metal roof, I built the first fire of the season and enjoyed an off the grid evening. What better way to enjoy a book than in the quiet of the woods with nothing but the rain and the fire to break the silence. Even Kuma d.o.g. fell into a deep sleep and her snoring just added to the peacefulness of the moment.

The ceiling paneling is still progressing. Lots of work to complete above the loft yet but its coming together. Now in a routine and will need to get some scaffolding to finish the last 2' and the cap over the ridge beam.

Ceiling is cropped at where the paneling stops. Up to about 12' now with the
last 2' screaming at me to complete so we can install the wood floor.

Paneling in progress above the loft. Will be finishing this and trimming
out the sky lights. Tunes always are welcome while we work.

Another day of working on the ceiling

Picked up Robbie at 7:30 for another Saturday at the cabin. It was 35 degrees outside and 43 inside upon arrival. The first order of business was to put a fire in Beulah! We worked at installing the 20 boards I had stained this week. We got up to the skylight frames before running out of boards. Another 20 boards are in the sand/stain/poly cycle. We've got about 400 board feet available at the cabin so there is plenty to work on before the next trip to Menard's. Once we get these boards up we will only need about 300 more board feet to finish this painfully long and labor intensive part of the cabin. Tomorrow a trip to Walmart for some more stain and I'll get back to preparing boards again. Will it ever end?

Just a Stain'n

Took half a day of vacation to work on the cabin today. Too wet and swampy to take Libby up to ManCamp after the recent rains. There is no doubt she would get stuck in the 'swamp' with her street tires so I fired up the 4WD tractor for the trip. It was colder than I expected at Fosson Family Trails today. The cabin thermometer showed 44 degrees inside and 40 outside so stoking a big fire in Beulah was a necessity for creature comfort.

Today's goal was to clean off the sleeping loft where it's been turned into a storage area during the cabin project. I filled the tractor's front end loader with the scrap wood, stacked all the extra 8' boards from the loft on the loader and delivered it all to the barn on the farm. Additionally, all the scrap insulation, dry wall boards, nails and paint was removed. The task needed completed to gain access for installing the ceiling boards above this area. Once the loft was cleaned off, I set up the stereo speakers and receiver on top so I could 'jam' while working.

The final coat of stain and poly was applied to the 20 ceiling panel boards I've been working on for this weekend. I went ahead and sanded and stained another 10 boards to start getting them ready, too. Hopefully by Sunday or Monday they'll be ready to hang, too.

With a hot stove, there was plenty of tea pot water for some green tea. A pan of ravioli made a great lunch. The cabin was 74 degrees when I locked up; just wait until logs are burning in the fire place.

Do a Little, Leave a Little (or leave alot)

With my trusted companion Kuma d.o.g. always at my side, I was able to finish a few jobs at the cabin today. The freezer door hinge on the refrigerator had to be repaired. It was damaged at the factory and after unpacking the fridge before finding the defect, it didn't make sense taking it back. I was able to replace a hinge pin that was broke off and now it works fine.

It was such a great afternoon with a strong, warm breeze that working outside was a pleasure. The 2" gray water drain piping is now fully installed and buried to service the drains from the kitchen and bathroom sinks.

Lastly, 20 more 10' ceiling boards have been sanded and coated with the first coat of stain/poly seal. Tomorrow they'll get a second coat and by the weekend be ready to install.

With a fire in Beulah, I cooked a pan of bean soup, made some green tea and enjoyed a relaxing evening on the porch as a light rain moved in.

Silicone Investment

When building our cabin, the one thing we did not skimp on was tubes of silicone. We put it around the walls, windows and cracks both inside and out. We also put it around the cabinets and baseboards. Now that Fall has arrived and the spiders, bugs, snakes and mice are looking for a nice place for winter, you would think a cabin in the woods would be full of these critters. It is so rewarding to open the door and not find any bugs or spiders and this is due to all the tubes of silicone we emptied during construction.

This past weekend, I spent time cutting firewood and stacking it at the cabin. October and November in Ohio is typically wet and although most of the month has passed with relatively little percipitation, the next few weeks could easily become very wet and cold.

This evening I took Kuma d.o.g. to the cabin and built a fire in Beulah. We shared a few sticks of Slim Jims while I sanded ceiling boards. Once the water was warm on the stove, I cleaned up the kitchen and did a few dishes that had accumulated in the sink. Still very pleased with the stove; it does a great job.

A little firewood for Beulah and the fireplace.

Getting Supplies for the Weekend

Another trip to Menard's this afternoon and I'm now stocked up with plenty of supplies for projects this weekend. I like having options so the goal is to have enough stuff around to change course if needed. The plan is to sand and stain more ceiling boards but that gets so boring that I also picked up pvc water lines to run under the house.

I took Kuma d.o.g. with me to drop the supplies off and to just hang out on the porch this evening. Got a picture of a buck checking us out. Also emptied a trail camera and picked up a picture of a wild turkey stopping by the cabin. Well, Thanksgiving is just around the corner!

A wild turkey stops by the cabin for a visit.

A flock of turkeys at the edge of the forest.

One of the many birds that frequent the porch

I work with some guys that would just love to meet some of my  neighbors
like this young man.

Unexpected Visitors

Early Saturday morning, Robbie and I took a spud bar and post hole digger and broke ground for the antenna tower. Ohio soil in this area of a forest hillside is very full of sandstone, clay and roots. After laboring for a couple of hours and breaking through multiple large rocks, we finally had a 3' hole large enough to plant it. A trip to Chillicothe's Lowes and Menards was a welcome relief from our labor as we picked up cable, an antenna and accessories. A 100 mile HD/digital antenna is really big when assembled! It must be about 10' long and about 6' wide. I can't remember how we first up righted this same tower at my parent's farm house 30 years ago and I don't recall ever having any trouble. However, we found it extremely difficult and challenging to stand it up into the hole after we had already installed the antenna, rotor and cables. Only after getting the tractor and front end loader with chains were we innovative enough to lift and rig it into it's hole. After adding 300# of concrete, its now up and providing free broadcast service through the air; another cabin project completed.

Sunday is a day for rest and today I took full advantage of it. Unlike my wife and kids, I've never been one to sit and read a book for hours but having a cabin has changed all that. A Kindle loaded with the book, "The Killing of Lincoln", a beautiful, fall windy day in the woods and Kuma by my side has inspired me to take up this leisure activity. It's so easy to get drawn into a book when there are no distractions. The warm breeze and falling leaves seemed to aid concentration. At one point, while reading about General Lee's confederate army's final battle, I began hearing bells ringing in the woods which is highly unusual. Looking up and turning in the direction of the sound, I was amazed at the sight of about 12 goats walking up the lane to the cabin. Each had a collar and a bell under it's chin that rang as they walked. As I called out to them, "well hello fellas!" they were clearly happy to see a friendly face as they wagged their little tails like puppies. I've owned goats before that eventually became wild and roamed the forest and these were definitely not wild. They were someones pet goats that had wandered off and were apparently lost. Just as quickly as they showed up, they were back off into the forest. I have no idea where they were from or where they were going.

Enjoying the beauty of Fall

After spending most of the day in the house, Kuma and I went to the cabin to get some much needed exercise. With a camera in hand, I couldn't help but stop along the way to take pictures of various views we enjoyed on the farm to share on the blog. For someone diagnosed as color blind, there are some colors I still see better than others. It's always a rewarding walk to the cabin, especially in the Fall.

The road to the cabin

Cabin in the woods

A view along the road to the cabin

This view out the window beside the fireplace never
gets old. A deer path is just above the woods.

Beautiful tree along the road.

The dinner table inside the cabin.

Fall's Gift

A late evening trip to the cabin with Kuma d.o.g. left little time for work which was ok with us. Fall is such a special time of year so we all should take time to enjoy it before it's gone.

As we ascended the cabin porch steps, we were met with a layer of dry leaves that had recently fallen and failed to reach the ground. Fall has come early in southern Ohio and has caught us all by surprise. Arriving 2-3 weeks early this year with colors already peaking, it's beauty came well before any announcement by the news media or weathermen. Leaves are falling rapidly so if we get tonight's forecasted rain, many more will be on the ground by morning's rise leaving bare trees behind for winter.

I love the smell and the sounds of fall. Even in the depths of the woods, the rustling of leaves by chipmunks and birds fill the air. After picking another 'fruit' off the cabin wine bush, I enjoyed a glass of white merlot as we sat listening to the evening sounds below.

Kuma was the first to hear a deer on the hill above the meadow and attentively watched as it slowly navigated down to a salt lick on the opposite bank of the creek below. We both watched as it cautiously looked toward the farm house and distant township road surveying for approaching danger. It had no idea we were watching and were much closer than anything it feared.

Evenings like this reminds me why I built the cabin.

They don't make them like this anymore

Another cabin project that I've put off is finally completed.

In 1979, a close friend, Roger Robinson gave me a 30' antenna tower complete with antenna and electric rotor after many good years of use at his home. I transported and installed it at my parents farm house and for the first time in 14 years on the farm, they had good TV reception. The tower has stood at the farm house ever since even as the house falls in from age and neglect and hasn't been lived in for over 20 years. Today I took a generator, a reciprocating saw and the tractor to the house and brought it down. I was impressed with how well it has weathered the years. It was as solid as the day I set it and showed no signs of weakness.
I hauled it to where I plan to plant it on the hill behind the cabin. After finding the original rotor controller in the farm house, I hooked it up and to my surprise, it still rotates the mast as smooth as it did over 30 years ago. Did I say it was all made in the USA?

30' tower for pulling in some free TV in the woods

Reload at Menard's

When Nic comes home for the weekend I take full advantage of his Ranger to get construction supplies at Menard's delivered to the cabin. Today was a beautiful day to be in the woods. I love this time of year.

Another bundle of ceiling boards ready to off load.

Cabin time with Nic on Sunday afternoon

Cabin peeking through the woods

View from meadow below

Cabin Work Detail

Work on the cabin began before daylight today. Fog was still low and heavy in the hollow as we worked our way back the trail. After firing up Beulah and putting the coffee on, the morning sun began peaking through the trees on the back hillside.

With Robbie and Kuma d.o.g. we cut and stained trim boards; Robbie trimmed out the bathroom door and I hung ceiling boards. A #8 cast iron chicken fryer was just the right size for a pot of soup beans. After a lunch of cornbread and beans, we cleaned the cabin up for tourist. Sandy and Mike are hosting a cookout this evening at the farm and I expect a few visitors in the woods to check on progress.

Finally over half way up with ceiling boards. Getting out of reach on a ladder
so will be setting up scaffold to finish.

Robbie put the trim up between ceiling and wall while I hung boards.

Kuma d.o.g. says she would like some soup beans, too.

Classic cast iron corn bread.

Robbie installing a receptical up on the sleeping loft.

Robbie sampling the soup beans.

Ceiling Work

I'm so tired of working on the cabin ceiling and yet I'm less than half way done. This weekend I worked alone and put up about 40 boards. It was nice and cool Saturday morning so I built a fire in the kitchen stove and fixed breakfast, coffee and put the soup beans on. By mid day, the beans were done so I baked some corn bread and had a great lunch. Soup beans and corn bread will definitely be a regular meal at ManCamp.  Today I installed more insulation in the ceiling and later prepared and stained another 10 boards. Until this task is completed, it will consume most of the time at the cabin. The living room wood flooring cannot be installed until the ceiling is complete to avoid damaging it so staying focused on this job is the only way to get it all done. Brandon and Robbie have offered to help some this week and will both be welcomed.

Stress Relief at the Cabin

Today was a good day to get away from everything and have a mental health day at the cabin. After a trip to Menard's, I picked up Kuma d.o.g. and headed for the woods. It was windy and the temperature continued to fall all afternoon. I built a fire in Beulah, put a pot of coffee on and hung about 12 ceiling boards that Brandon helped me stain this week. We fell short of our goal of preparing 50 boards but the 40 that are stained and ready to hang will keep me busy throughout the weekend. With Nic working at Hocking Inn, Brandon going to the OSU game and Robbie going to an auction in Jackson, it looks like I'll be working alone. Sometimes it gets really difficult getting a 10 foot board's tongue in the groove. Your arms aren't long enough to work both ends so you just have to have patience and be innovative with a mallet, hammer and nails.

I'm still amazed at Beulah's efficiency and value to the cabin. I hope we have a cold winter where both the stove and fireplace are providing warmth as I'm sure it will be cozy. I opened a can of Spaghetti-Os, poured them in a sauce pan and set them on the stove. Within just a couple of minutes they were piping hot and steaming. The coffee is getting better too as I continue adjusting the amount of grounds and time on the stove.

Before leaving, I put pinto beans in a pan to soak. Saturday will be a day of corn bread and soup beans slow cooked on Beulah. 

Cabin Update

With today's rain, I didn't want to deal with Kuma d.o.g. going to the cabin with me. Like all Labradors, she loves water, mud and just basically getting filthy so I left her home (and dry). Working alone, I completed another 10 ceiling panel boards today. This makes 30 boards ready to hang with hopes of completing 50 for this weekend. We're trying to find someone that has scaffold to reach the peak but if we're unsuccessful we'll just rent it. Sharing a few update pictures in today's post.

Fireplace illuminated with recessed spot lights mounted in ceiling.

So impressed with LED lights. A 7 watt LED PAR30 light is equivalent to a 50 Watt light. 7 watts is like a
night light. Although bright, they work great off the grid when powered by solar, generator or batteries.

Today's finished product. Ten more ceiling panels ready to install.

My Paula Deen percolator and tea pot.

South Bound Flea Market canisters under $10 for set.

Bathroom ceiling light

Bar Snacks or Dog Snacks? ...Both. Now we need some pickled eggs.

Another South Bound Flea Market purchase. Wooden measuring spoons for $1.

This is supposed to be a votive candle holder. Its a stemless wine glass in my opinion. Might need to get
more of these; only $7 on Internet website.