September,
2006
We are taking a tour of the southwestern US for the remainder of this
month,
so the report is being sent out early.
We'll be back on schedule for October.
Looking South –
05 Sep 2006
(click on the picture to view larger version)
Smoke from a number of fires has been blowing our way for several days.
A "complex" of fires is about 20 miles SSE and the Derby Fire is about
50 miles ESE.
We face no direct threat from the fires,
but the smoke is bad enough to cause health concerns.
We have limited any activity requiring exertions outdoors until the wind
changes.
The Derby fire is currently the highest priority fire in the contiguous
US,
and officials say it may not be completely extinguished until heavy
December snows come.
Visitors for September were
John and Janet,
from
Orcas Island.
They helped Gary celebrate his
0x3Cth
birthday,
along with about 12 other people Pauline invited as a surprise.
We also
visited Yellowstone Park
for a day and sighted a moose!
In addition to the coyotes howling at night,
we now have elk bugling as the fall mating season approaches.
This all sets the dogs to barking frequently.
06 Sep,
looking SE:
the concrete and steel to the south of the garage was damaged by the
fire and had to be
removed
and replaced.
A temporary post has been put in
(to the left of the ladder, on a jack)
and the old one cut out.
Now a new section of I-beam is being welded in.
Next,
a new post will be put in.
Then the same operation will be done for the damaged post and I-beam to
the right.
Finally,
a new section of concrete roof can be poured to cover the Mud Room.
Once this work was finished,
Gary spent over 8 hours cleaning away the foam insulation where the new
steel pan will join the old to form the base into which concrete is
poured.
19 Sep,
looking WNW:
Most of the lower level of the main floor is covered.
This level includes the Great Room,
Dining Room,
Kitchen,
Pantry and Master Suite.
Two steps up will be the Hallway,
West Bedrooms and Library.
The Entry and Office are another two steps up.
The effect will be as though one enters on a stage and descends into the
public areas of the house.
At left is the area where the large South Patio can be accessed from the
Dining Room and Kitchen.
In the foreground is where one can exit from the Master Suite to a
private patio.
The concrete "skirt" exterior will be finished with stucco.
Parting Shot
Pumpkin Checks the Floor Joists
(camera facing NW)
It snowed two days ago;
there is still a bit on the crest of the mountains at upper right.
