Bemis, Exterior Remodel - 2008

After very little firm committment and no written contract (I did have substantial telephone discussion and email trade with the contractor about what I wanted to do) we got started with what I hoped to be a successful remodel that would suit Sue's requirements.  The southern end of the cabin (shown here) had the walls extended to normal height and all rotted wood was removed and the floor was jacked and braced to level.  You can see the new roof and finish trim on the entire building and the hardie board siding beginning to be put on.  

May 20, 2008

The guys (3) working on the project weren't pretty but they were actually pretty good and did most of what I expected. Of course, working with a contractor that far from home was not something that is recommended. I did take a week of vacation here to check on progress - I believe this was the third time that I was there in early 2008.

May 20, 2008

The weather cooperated very well that week in May, and as you can see the cabin is starting to shape up quite nicely.  New electrical power feed is ready for hook-up by the power company - that actually came later in the week.  The TV antenna was removed and later replaced by satellite - a nice improvement and worth what I pay to be able to see most stations - local stations (Evansville, IN) are not available  - but we do have east and west coast ABC and CBS as well as all the DTV channels we have in Indiana!

May 26, 2008

New electrical feed has now been installed, this included a 100 amp breaker service that brother Tony came up and helped me complete. The contractors also installed the crawl space access that you see under the electrical meter - this access is only for the 12 foot additon on the north end of the cabin. You can see that a bond fire is in the making - have to get the wind right else we could burn down the cabin. Hard to see in this photo, but on the left beside the closest porch post is the location of the well. The pump base is visible, but this timing is apparently when the foot valve fell off the pump and I had to pull the pump and try to repair - that whole story will require a post. I realized at this time that I was going to have to get gutters and downspouts on the building to keep from having dirt splash on the siding.

June 28, 2008

I found a good price on some red oak prefinished flooring that I installed in the south end of the building. You can see where it butts against the tavern grade hardwood flooring in the kitchen area.

June 28, 2008

The other end of the cabin received a new bedroom with hardwood flooring, paint and an overhead fan to keep the place cool - I actually found time to make the bed. The doorway into the bedroom has not been finished in the photo. I believe this is the 4th or 5th trip up in 2008.

July 28, 2008

Boy was it hot this July.  This young family is obviously enjoying the coolness of the water.  Like most of the locals I used the stream to take my daily bath (the locals mostly just showed up on Saturday for their weekly ritual) while I was there in July. After painting, laying flooring or just mowing grass the water in the stream refreshes one's well being and helps provide for a good night's sleep.

July 2008

A small bathroom, nice sized shower provides all the conveniences of home except no water yet.  The tile flooring was a Home Depot special that I put down without too much trouble. Did this make six trips or seven?

9/22/2008 (Almost my birthday)

I couldn't resist submitting a photo of brother Carey's lodge near Ferrum, Virginia just to let you know that if this place were on my land in Bemis I never would leave. Oh well, at least he lets me stay there when we go home to visit.

10/21/2008

I'll try to get at least one more post out before the end of the year.  It is tough trying to shop and keep grandkids and create posts that will make you want to go to Bemis and see if you can catch a trout.  Take care and if I don't write again before ..... Have a Merry Christmas.