Getting our view - step by step

The view is there somewhere - starting to take a few of the trees and mostly the tops off the maples that are over our bank. Leaving the stumps keeps the bank stable. Every 5 years or so we will need to cut it back again.



We left the majority of the big trees and had them limbed up so we could see through the trees to the water and also the snow covered peaks of the Olympics.

We want water, mountains, and trees and we have it.

View from the boat looking at our home

Circled is our home as you see it from the boat.

OK - I'm sufficiently chastized for waiting so long to add new pictures, sorry.

This is the only updated picture I have with me that shows the work done on the outside woods view area. Paul took this before we left for Arizona. I took more of the inside, but loaded them down on the desktop at home, so they aren't doing me any good now. They delivered 12 loads of about 10-12 yards of fill per load to fill enough of the front area to give us a nice drive that puts us now even with the steps. We had the area around the house all graded and it looks very nice. They brought in and compacted many loads of gravel for our lane and circular drive. Paul has always wanted a house with a circular drive and he has it. We still need to get top soil in the back and sides, but we had about 6 or so stumps removed so it opened up the back area nicely for a garden, etc. The house is turning out nicely, and we are slowly getting some furniture to put in it. We have a bunk bed set that has a full bed on the bottom and a trundle twin bed pull out under it. That is set up opposite Paul's office area upstairs. Our neighbors supervised the delivery of a wall unit and desk for Paul while we are in Arizona and we are looking forward to the sectional being delivered on the 29th. At least we'll have some chairs for our family to sit in when they come. We should also have enough places for sleeping as we got a new futon for the boathouse and a queen mattress set that will be in the loft until we can get the murphy bed made. That will eventually go downstairs. We're really looking forward to having most of the family with us the first of June.

Railings installed

The railings arrived yesterday and the installation for them began. They are made of some type of steel that is painted and fired and painted again and again for durability and longevity. The company makes everything including the aircraft cable that is used in the railing system. They use the finest and best cable material and it is all weatherproof, so works well both inside and outside. Same railing system will be on the decks only with material on the top rails that performs well in the outdoor weather.

We're getting really close

All the floor coverings are in - hardwoods on the main level with tile in the bathroom; carpet going up the stairs, on the floating bridge and in both wings; vinyl in the guest bathroom combination laundry room. Appliances are here - except the microwave which was delayed. They are all installed, except the cooktop which needs the propane man to do the final hookup. Front and back deck are pretty much finished - need the railings. We're definitely getting really close.

entry deck and garage door

The entry side deck is under construction. It will mimic the view side deck. We will have a rainchain on the entry side which will be an interesting architectural detail. Also note the garage door is now installed. BIG things happening this week including installing granite countertops, plumbing fixtures, appliances, flooring, and detail work.

Generators work

We had a chance to use the generators this week and they perform wonderfully. Everyone around us got dumped with snow, while we just got a sprinkling, however must have been enough somewhere to cause the power outage for about an hour or so. The mainhouse automatic generator was flawless in converting right over to that generator so the workers could continue in the house. Our portable generator at the boathouse also worked wonderfully keeping all the power on in here and the septic connection functioning. Technology is amazing!