Now, for some updates that don't make me so sad.
We had quite a productive year at the property. We managed to get a roof over the fire pit, build a pump house, build an outdoor shower and gain a pack rat. Of course none of this was easy and the pack rat was not invited - but I'm working on his eviction.
The roof over the fire pit was a must as we spend nearly every waking minute outside when we are up there. Here's what we started with and please note the weather in this picture - it is NOT raining.
So, the frame is good to go despite the one board that is winged out and not lined up. That's okay though because you only really notice it if it is pointed out to you. We went from what you saw above to this:
All in the pouring rain! What really sucked about the whole job is not the fact that it stopped raining shortly after the work was done. No, not at all. The worst part was that I was the "helper". As a helper, I stood out in the rain holding each roof panel up while Dan worked underneath screwing around the whole thing together. He was pretty much dry at the end of the job. I, on the other hand, was soaking wet. You see, the plan required me stand below the panel and hold it up on the frame until a few screws were installed. Sounds like fun right? Well, I guess so, if you like the feeling of a river running down your arms, to your arms pits and then down your torso. Go ahead, put your arms up in the air slightly in front of you and pretend you are holding a metal sheet with a river running down it. You get the idea now don't you!
Once the roof was up someone decided we should close in the ends up at the top. Frame it up a bit better, make it sturdier he said. This is the point where you picture me smiling and nodding on the outside and rolling my eyes on the inside because the first part of this project wasn't exactly fun for me. Now that it is done though, I am glad he suggested it.
We recycled old fence panels from our house on the coast. The black panel on the left is what made me 'glad'. I went out and bought a string of solar lights to go around (most of) the frame and that is the solar panel. Now not only do we having a roof over our head so we can enjoy a fire in the rain, we also have mood lighting.
And, courtesy of some friends and a few cocktails, we have even named the joint:
I have to post again at another time as I cannot find the pictures of the outdoor shower and words alone do not do it justice. It really is a rockin' redneck shower!
