My Journey
- Thread starter YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
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YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
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YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
tgil.....of course I agree.....and those steps that they're laying on.....another days work.....
Arjan.....I throughly enjoyed building that reclaimed lumber wall so I'd say go for it.....& thanks.....
Riversdad.....but she still acts like a puppy.....she'll be one on September 22nd.....on the 29th she gets sedated & x-rayed to check for Hip Displasia.....she's not the athlete that Tanner is (actually like all my Retrievers were).....but she is still a troublemaker.....
August 30, 2021.....Next up.....finally.....was to build the steps.....another task that I had no idea how to do. When I brought the stair risers home from Lowes the first time, I actually attempted to install them upside down. That didn't go so well so I returned them and bought them from elsewhere. The results were the same and finally it hit me that they were upside down (not the brighest bulb in the pack).....
Once I overcame the simple challenge that faced me, the task moved along quite well. I ordered more Trex for the treads and once it began to come together.....I changed plans midstream. The original plan was to wrap the deck with the metal from the barn door and paint the metal black but I still had leftover cedar siding so I tried a new idea.....
I cut a bunch of 2 1/4" slats which I screwed in using the same stainless steel screws as I had used for the cedar siding installation.....
Then I painted the risers black to match the siding and added four shrubs (more to come of course).....
I sure was pleased to finally discard my paint bucket step.....if dogs could talk I'd guess they'd say ****** happened here.....
The long summer days of Montana are slowly leaving us and those hot afternoons spent under the tiny deck will soon be a thing of the past.....
.....our project is nearly complete.....and we will soon leave the neighborhood behind and once again become the Wild Dogs of the Night.....
Arjan.....I throughly enjoyed building that reclaimed lumber wall so I'd say go for it.....& thanks.....
Riversdad.....but she still acts like a puppy.....she'll be one on September 22nd.....on the 29th she gets sedated & x-rayed to check for Hip Displasia.....she's not the athlete that Tanner is (actually like all my Retrievers were).....but she is still a troublemaker.....
August 30, 2021.....Next up.....finally.....was to build the steps.....another task that I had no idea how to do. When I brought the stair risers home from Lowes the first time, I actually attempted to install them upside down. That didn't go so well so I returned them and bought them from elsewhere. The results were the same and finally it hit me that they were upside down (not the brighest bulb in the pack).....
Once I overcame the simple challenge that faced me, the task moved along quite well. I ordered more Trex for the treads and once it began to come together.....I changed plans midstream. The original plan was to wrap the deck with the metal from the barn door and paint the metal black but I still had leftover cedar siding so I tried a new idea.....
I cut a bunch of 2 1/4" slats which I screwed in using the same stainless steel screws as I had used for the cedar siding installation.....
Then I painted the risers black to match the siding and added four shrubs (more to come of course).....
I sure was pleased to finally discard my paint bucket step.....if dogs could talk I'd guess they'd say ****** happened here.....
The long summer days of Montana are slowly leaving us and those hot afternoons spent under the tiny deck will soon be a thing of the past.....
.....our project is nearly complete.....and we will soon leave the neighborhood behind and once again become the Wild Dogs of the Night.....
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YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
ITTOG.....yep, the black is a much better look. The original color of the risers (burnt orange ?) had to go. Regarding that recently lost hiding spot.....they've got plenty of others. My favorite one is in the barn where they somehow found my reclining chairs which were under a tarp. They moved the tarp and enjoy laying in the chairs with the cooler barn temperatures. Thanks.....
September 2, 2021.....this was probably the worst day yet. I had hired a guy to install the tile and the floor in the bathroom shower and when he came for the estimate he noticed that the cement board ceiling was sagging and he said that I'd needed to add support to the ceiling before he could tile it. Now this was due to using 1/4" cement board as opposed to 1/2" cement board (I got some bad advice).....
I attempted to access through the attic but with the pitch of the roof being so flat that access was impossible. Therefore I had to remove most of the shower ceiling which was covered in blown in insulation.....it was a nightmare.....
It took me ten hours to remedy that mistake but the following day we were back on track. The tile guy returned and started the first phase of the sub floor installation.....that night Trapper made a visit and destroyed his fine work.....
The tile guy took it all in stride and came back the following day to make the repairs.....
There was a two week delay in getting the tile.....the long story much too long to tell here.....building during a pandemic has been quite the challenge.....heck, just building is quite the challenge.....
The tile guy has turned out to be my savior.....he can do most any aspect of construction and as I near the end of this project, I've decided to spend the money and turn over more of the ending tasks to him.....
The tile is going up and we anticipate finishing this by tomorrow afternoon.....then he'll begin the next task this weekend (I think).....
September 2, 2021.....this was probably the worst day yet. I had hired a guy to install the tile and the floor in the bathroom shower and when he came for the estimate he noticed that the cement board ceiling was sagging and he said that I'd needed to add support to the ceiling before he could tile it. Now this was due to using 1/4" cement board as opposed to 1/2" cement board (I got some bad advice).....
I attempted to access through the attic but with the pitch of the roof being so flat that access was impossible. Therefore I had to remove most of the shower ceiling which was covered in blown in insulation.....it was a nightmare.....
It took me ten hours to remedy that mistake but the following day we were back on track. The tile guy returned and started the first phase of the sub floor installation.....that night Trapper made a visit and destroyed his fine work.....
The tile guy took it all in stride and came back the following day to make the repairs.....
There was a two week delay in getting the tile.....the long story much too long to tell here.....building during a pandemic has been quite the challenge.....heck, just building is quite the challenge.....
The tile guy has turned out to be my savior.....he can do most any aspect of construction and as I near the end of this project, I've decided to spend the money and turn over more of the ending tasks to him.....
The tile is going up and we anticipate finishing this by tomorrow afternoon.....then he'll begin the next task this weekend (I think).....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Arjan.....yep, we are really getting close. The refrigerator will be delivered on October 16th and I'm thinking that will be the last day of this build. I've got decisions to make soon.....do I live here for a bit maybe or is it better not to move in (if I turn the water on I'll need to heat the place for the winter.....not sure that's an acceptable decision).....or maybe I find renters and make some extra cash ? One thing is for sure.....the garden hose showers in the evening are becoming quite the challenge for me.....they're really getting COLD.....
September 7, 2021.....the shower turned out exceptional (in my opinion) and I'm really, really pleased with my choices.....the red ? You'll see more of this color to come.....the black & greys are nice.....but the cabin needed more color I thought.....like a flower garden.....
Today the grout goes in and another task goes off the to do list.....
Now that I've got someone here taking on a few of the larger tasks, I can focus on some of the things that have been overlooked.....one of these things was to finally get back into the crawl space and lay down the black plastic over the dirt floor.....
I raked the entire area and hauled out buckets full of construction debris, rocks & whatever else happened to come in contact with my rake.....
I was happy that it wasn't more than a half day spent down there.....
.....as the weather in southwest Montana continues to improve so I prefer to be outdoors.....lots of perennials are going into the ground.....as well as plenty more Quaking Aspen trees.....
While I was at the hoarders house digging up trees I found this old bicycle built for two laying in the tall grasses.....I brought it home.....paid a mere $50 for it.....
Another $11 for the hanging hardware and I had me a piece of art (that's what I call it anyhow).....
Life is pretty good right now.....
September 7, 2021.....the shower turned out exceptional (in my opinion) and I'm really, really pleased with my choices.....the red ? You'll see more of this color to come.....the black & greys are nice.....but the cabin needed more color I thought.....like a flower garden.....
Today the grout goes in and another task goes off the to do list.....
Now that I've got someone here taking on a few of the larger tasks, I can focus on some of the things that have been overlooked.....one of these things was to finally get back into the crawl space and lay down the black plastic over the dirt floor.....
I raked the entire area and hauled out buckets full of construction debris, rocks & whatever else happened to come in contact with my rake.....
I was happy that it wasn't more than a half day spent down there.....
.....as the weather in southwest Montana continues to improve so I prefer to be outdoors.....lots of perennials are going into the ground.....as well as plenty more Quaking Aspen trees.....
While I was at the hoarders house digging up trees I found this old bicycle built for two laying in the tall grasses.....I brought it home.....paid a mere $50 for it.....
Another $11 for the hanging hardware and I had me a piece of art (that's what I call it anyhow).....
Life is pretty good right now.....
ITTOG
Well-known member
Jerry the interior decorator. I am impressed. Was the red just something you wanted to do or was there some inspiration for it? At first, I was like what is he doing? But after a bit I began to like it. A lot.
That garden hose water made my mouth water. Such a great memory from childhood. So much so I still do it today when outside and thirsty. Anyone not do this as a kid?
That garden hose water made my mouth water. Such a great memory from childhood. So much so I still do it today when outside and thirsty. Anyone not do this as a kid?
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Arjan.....yea the tandem is perfect ! I've got my eye on another antique bicycle but he refuses to sell. He told me that he rode the not for sale one to work back in the 60's so apparently it has sentimental value. There are several hundred to choose from.....heck I don't even know where the next one will go.....assuming that there is a next one.....
ITTOG.....the answer to the question is both yes & no.....I'll share the no answer with you.....the yes answer would be more of a personal nature.....
The no answer.....I was scanning Google a month ago looking for exterior lighting and I seemed to be attracted to red. The cabin.....black & grey.....is beautiful yet it's dark & somewhat gloomy I thought. So I finally pulled the trigger.....went out on a limb.....& I ordered red exterior lighting. I then met a designer and I sent her pictures of the lighting that I had purchased.....her response was "I love, love, love the lighting. It's perfect !". Then she came for a visit. Since then she's really been into working with me and I bounce ideas off her well trained brain. I go forward now only with her blessings. So she was a fan of the red stripe idea.....it brings color into the cabin.....and I believe that's a good thing.....
September 12, 2021.....GOOD MORNING MONTANA.....
ITTOG.....the answer to the question is both yes & no.....I'll share the no answer with you.....the yes answer would be more of a personal nature.....
The no answer.....I was scanning Google a month ago looking for exterior lighting and I seemed to be attracted to red. The cabin.....black & grey.....is beautiful yet it's dark & somewhat gloomy I thought. So I finally pulled the trigger.....went out on a limb.....& I ordered red exterior lighting. I then met a designer and I sent her pictures of the lighting that I had purchased.....her response was "I love, love, love the lighting. It's perfect !". Then she came for a visit. Since then she's really been into working with me and I bounce ideas off her well trained brain. I go forward now only with her blessings. So she was a fan of the red stripe idea.....it brings color into the cabin.....and I believe that's a good thing.....
September 12, 2021.....GOOD MORNING MONTANA.....
BigDawwg
-[Gettin-it Done]-
Jerry,,,,,, well, all is looking pretty Good, you did a Dam nice job, and all those "Subtle-Touches" well done,,,,,, you shouldn't have much difficulty renting that place, but the other side to that coin is,,,,,, finding "GOOD" renters, and do you have someone local that can watch-out for your interests accordingly,,,,, those are some of the reasons I sold my Tri-Plex a few yr's back, had one renter that was 9-months be-hind,,,, and he wouldn't leave, had to get an Attorney, go to Court twice,,,,,, 14-months later, he was gone and left me with a mess, 7-months later and $8-9,000.00 in repairs,,,,, that was it it foe me, anyway, best of luck going forward, which ever path you choose, and by the way, that's the 1st shower with a "Racing-Stripe" I've ever seen......
BD in Alaska
tgil
Well-known member
Ah, Trapper! Chuckled at the pics of her over-night "modifications"! Those sunrise pics are it! I'm looking forward to the pics of the planted perennials. I've planted bulbs before, but that is about the extent of my experience with sprucing up the exterior. What you've done with the landscaping fascinates me as much as what you've done on the inside of the place.
What does the black plastic do for the crawlspace?
What does the black plastic do for the crawlspace?
Got home last Saturday, 6105 miles and 6 weeks. Too long. We visited the National Bison Range when we were in Polson and the smoke was bad. I'm afraid this will be an annual occurance. The cabin is looking great, and what can I say about the pups??. Sarah went to the groomer today. She was so dirty the water was looking like the Mississippi River.
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
BigDawwg.....I often like to say I'm homeless but the truth is that I do still own one house. It was built nearly a decade ago but I chose not to live in it when it was completed (I've never slept a night in it). I've been fortunate and the same woman has been in it for the past seven years (before her was a single guy). She just signed a lease for three more years. I haven't been in that house since she moved in. There's plenty of horror stories just like yours that I've heard. We will see where this one goes.....thanks.....
tgil.....the black plastic is a barrier to moisture. Regarding the perennials, I just finished planting a bunch last week.....no real rhyme or reason to what I planted.....simply had to be 40 % off (end of season here in Montana).....tall ones in the back.....so on & so forth.....thanks.....
JD.....I'm curious.....which was too long ? 6,000 miles or 6 weeks ? Or was it 6,000 miles in 6 weeks ? This has been a bad summer for smoke.....had it not been for this cabin I wonder if I'd still be here. Combined with the prolonged heat wave, there were many downright miserable days here this summer.....thanks.....
September 12, 2021.....continuing with this idea that I need to add color to the cabin.....I headed over to Lowes and picked myself up a quart of red paint.....then I painted just three of the two and one quarter inch slats across the front of the entry steps.....
I'm not certain that I like it but it looked much better when I added a dog.....I'll wait until next summer to decide if I'll keep the look.....all the blooming perennials on either side could make a big difference.....
The tile guy finished the shower and immediately became the flooring guy.....
As you can see in the pictures I began to hang some of my artwork.....everything I own (it really ain't much) is covered in a heavy layer of dust as the barn is far from airtight.....
I was anxious to get my stuff out of that barn.....there's not much good to say about living through a drought.....except for maybe that there's no worry in storing your furniture on the lawn.....
Trapper seemed to be excited with all that was going on.....
Me on the other hand.....I was eyeing those dog print reclining chairs.....it's been almost exactly four years since I've napped in one of those reclining chairs.....I could barely wait.....
So close.....yet not quite there.....
tgil.....the black plastic is a barrier to moisture. Regarding the perennials, I just finished planting a bunch last week.....no real rhyme or reason to what I planted.....simply had to be 40 % off (end of season here in Montana).....tall ones in the back.....so on & so forth.....thanks.....
JD.....I'm curious.....which was too long ? 6,000 miles or 6 weeks ? Or was it 6,000 miles in 6 weeks ? This has been a bad summer for smoke.....had it not been for this cabin I wonder if I'd still be here. Combined with the prolonged heat wave, there were many downright miserable days here this summer.....thanks.....
September 12, 2021.....continuing with this idea that I need to add color to the cabin.....I headed over to Lowes and picked myself up a quart of red paint.....then I painted just three of the two and one quarter inch slats across the front of the entry steps.....
I'm not certain that I like it but it looked much better when I added a dog.....I'll wait until next summer to decide if I'll keep the look.....all the blooming perennials on either side could make a big difference.....
The tile guy finished the shower and immediately became the flooring guy.....
As you can see in the pictures I began to hang some of my artwork.....everything I own (it really ain't much) is covered in a heavy layer of dust as the barn is far from airtight.....
I was anxious to get my stuff out of that barn.....there's not much good to say about living through a drought.....except for maybe that there's no worry in storing your furniture on the lawn.....
Trapper seemed to be excited with all that was going on.....
Me on the other hand.....I was eyeing those dog print reclining chairs.....it's been almost exactly four years since I've napped in one of those reclining chairs.....I could barely wait.....
So close.....yet not quite there.....
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