A few more big pieces in place.

Today we jumped all over the building. Measurements were checked in readiness to lift the steel beams and the trusses we buit for each end of the vaulted ceiing. Then it was time for a whole lot of climbing and some fancy balancing. The front beam went up in a hurry. A few bolts were tightened up by Harold to complete the process. 

Then it was off to the rear of the house to put up the structural steel for the patio roof. The columns had been put in place yesterday with everyone helping and a little more than a little grunting in the process. The two horizontal beams were first. I did the fastening at the wall end with some good sturdy welds. Next was the rear truss. It too required to be welded into place. A microlam beam through the top completed today's lift. Until we haul the fill into the back area the patio roof looks very tall. The pictutre was taken from ground level which currently is about five feet lower than it will be when we are done.

Once the beamwork was in place we went inside to see how the view would be from inside. The old house is still in the way for now but the mountain view to Vedder Mountain will be gorgeous when we move into the new house and tear the old one down.

We also wandered out to the road to see just how the front of the house was looking with the latest additions. The center window is becoming more and more the focal point of the house and looking less tall - as per plan. I can hardly wait until all the trusses are in place and the overhang is complete. The big trees we are sculpting will complete this picture with grand style.

We've pretty much worked out all of the details in regard to planning rockwork, and trim. I'll be firing up the router tomorrow to work on the first pieces. The crew is busy screwing the mesh to the side of the house in preparation for the fiberglass-reinforced-concrete to come very soon. As soon as a few more trusses are in place next week I'll be working on designing and testing out the eyebrows to see just what we will do. Stay tuned for more progress...

-grampa dan