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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 9/2/2010
We have been very busy at the new house the last few weeks!! The Amish were back to install the windows and nearly finish the roof. We have completed the block portion of the fireplace, and have started to apply the stone veneer. Most of the interior walls are studded. I am finally starting to see a tiny light ant the end of the tunnel.
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 8/19/2010
The Amish started again on Tuesday, and have finished the back half of the roof. They started the front today, and hopefully they should finish on Monday or Tuesday.
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 8/16/2010
We finally were able to seal the exterior of the house. We used a product called One TIME. Check out the pictures!!
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 8/3/2010 6:07:13 PM
We worked on the fireplace after work on Monday. We had lots of help once again, but the continual work is taking its toll on me. Each morning it gets harder to get up for work!!
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| Front View |
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| From the Loft |
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| Cleaning the Logs |
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| More Cleaning |
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| Getting Close! |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 7/31/2010
We made a lot of progress on the fireplace today. We had Levi, Andy, Twelve, Jason, and Lindsy's uncle Matt helping today. The metal roof and doors should arrive within the next couple of weeks.We will be cleaning and applying the log coatings before the window installation. Check out the pictures from today!!
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| Twelve on the roof! |
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| Fireplace |
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| Taking a break. |
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| Twelve |
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| Front picture |
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| Getting closer. |
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| Backhoe Ride! |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 7/15/2010
The boys spent the past three days working on the roof. They installed the tongue-and-groove pine ceiling and roofing paper. They also began the construction of the dormers. There were enough logs left over that the Amish used them on each end of the house instead of log siding. It really makes a big difference on the look of the bedrooms from the inside. Things are moving along!!!
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| The vaulted ceiling in the living room |
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| The space for the fireplace |
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| Levi walking around on the second floor |
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| The second-floor bedroom ceiling and log wall |
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| The bedroom on the second floor above the dining room with the newly constructed dormer |
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| The front of the house |
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| The back of the house |
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| The inside wall in the upstairs bedroom |
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| The outside end wall |
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| Wall and ceiling of one of the bedrooms |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 7/11/2010
We got started with the Rumford 42" fireplace. It took a little time to get it started, but once the inside bricks were complete, the rest moved quickly. We got about a third of the blocks done and will continue to work on it this week. The Amish guys had to work on another job this past week, but will begin again on Monday.
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| Getting started |
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| The beginning was a little slow. |
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| Moving along |
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| Set the jacuzzi in the master bath |
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| The Amish will begin the tongue-and-groove pine this week. |
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| Levi mixing mud! |
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Comments (2)
Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 7/2/2010 12:28:01 PM
The Amish crew's work is amazing. Check out the pictures!!
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| The Back. |
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| Floor Joist. |
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| Rafters |
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| Nice Cuts!! |
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| Front Rafters. |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 6/28/2010
Attached are updated pictures after two days of work on the second floor and roof. The first day there were only two Amish workers on site!!
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| Floor joist. |
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| Living room. |
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| From above. |
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| Hand notched!! |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 6/21/2010 5:37:01 PM
We have been working getting the plumbing roughed-in, while we wait for the roof lumber to arrive. Our time during the last few weeks has been limited because of the kids' baseball and my softball games.Twelve has continued the electrical work. We just keep plugging away. The supplier has promised the roof material will be shipped this week. The Amish crew will be back to get us dried in. We can't wait!!
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| Plumbing and electric rough-in |
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| Bathroom |
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| Plumbing work |
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| PEX |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 6/8/2010 5:19:14 AM
We used the break in construction to get the well drilled. The well ended up being 280' and producing 10 GPM. We have also continued to work on the plumbing and electric rough-ins on the first floor. I hope to get a firm delivery date on the remainder of the wood order later today.
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| The drilling rig!! |
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| Drilling away!! |
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| The Well. |
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| Lunch break!! |
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| More lunch!! |
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| Electric work.
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| More electric. |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 6/2/2010
Johnny's crew went as far as they could go and pulled off the job on Friday. We now need the second floor and roof lumber. In the meantime, I have started roughing-in the plumbing, heating and electric. I posted some pictures of the interior walls.
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| Stairway |
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| Den |
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| More interior |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 5/23/2010
On Friday, Johnny's crew nearly completed the log walls. They will be back on Tuesday to build the interior walls and complete the log detailing. The roof timbers should be arriving near the end of next week. We are extremely happy with this week's progress!! The Amish crew has been great to work with.
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| Sweeping the floor. |
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| Hooking up the trailer. |
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| Refreshments. |
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| Lisa & Chris. |
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| Checking out the view. |
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| Jay taking a break. |
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| Cleaned up!! |
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| Relaxation!! |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 5/20/2010
The guys continue the great work!! Check out the pictures.
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| Cutting electric boxes out |
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| Front view |
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| Hard at it! |
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| Living room |
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| Back of the house |
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| Walking the wall!! |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 5/19/2010
The guys really picked it up today!!! Check out the pictures.
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| Front view |
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| Another front shot. |
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| The bedroom |
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| Cleaning up... |
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| Reflection... |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 5/17/2010
The Amish building crew started the logs on Friday, but they had to quit early because of thunderstorms. They were back at it today, but heavy rains forced another early quit. Considering the conditions - I am very pleased with the progress!!
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| The start |
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| First row |
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| Second row |
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| Rained out! |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 5/11/2010
The Amish crew were scheduled to start the log erection today, but Mother Nature had another idea. We are experiencing an unusually-late elevation snow!! We did some odds and ends over the weekend, including a general clean-up and some wood-burner flue work. Hopefully they will get to start tomorrow!!
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| Welding the flue. |
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| Jay giving 12 pointers. |
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| Jay giving Nate instruction |
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| Test setting of the corner logs. |
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| Snow at my work. |
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| More snow!! |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 5/7/2010
The logs were finally delivered to the site late yesterday! I also picked up and brought to the site the Amish fellow who will be setting the logs. We reviewed everything and he is scheduled to start on Tuesday. We cannot wait!!
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| Here they come. |
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| Boom trucks are great! |
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| Andy checking his cell phone. |
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| Logs all over the place. |
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| Here is Johnny's farm. |
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| Johnny's kids checking things out. |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 5/2/2010
This week will be a busy one. Our logs FINALLY came and are being delivered to the house on Monday. The Amish family putting up log walls and roof system plan to start constructing in one week. We are also having our electric service installed this Wednesday. We had to remove a few small trees to make more room for the electric service poll. We took advantage of the extra help this weekend and finished the tie wall at the back of the house.
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| Team Work! |
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| Jeff and 12 hard at it! |
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| Jay logging is some hours on the backhoe. |
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| Building the wall. |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 4/11/2010
The weather this weekend was awesome! We got word on Friday that the logs are ready to ship. Hopefully they will be here the first of the week. The inspector approved the septic system so we could backfill the lines to make more room for the logs. We took advantage of the warm weather and started to construct a wall at the entrance to the basement door. It will be a two-tier patio that leads to the sliding door in the den and also to the kitchen door. It should be really nice when it is done. Sunday we took a time out to re-energize and checked out some of the beautiful trout streams in Central PA. We figure with the logs on the way this was the calm before the storm.
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| Beginning of the back patio. |
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| Stream in Huntingdon County. |
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| The front yard after the septic system was backfilled. |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 4/7/2010
The weather was amazing and I was able to work at the house all of Easter weekend except for sunrise service, Sunday morning. I installed the 1,000-gallon septic tank and installed the sewer line from the house to the tank. Hopefully, the inspector will make it this week.We still do not have a delivery date for the logs.
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| The tank hole is ready. |
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| Setting the tank. |
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| More of the tank. |
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| The sewer pipe in the ditch. |
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| Nate had to take a timeout for a texting break. |
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| The backhoe is resting. |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 3/29/2010 5:56:17 PM
We did not get much work accomplished the past week because I had to take a crew to SCI Greensburg for an emergency streamline repair. (My real job) I plan on installing the septic tank this week. The logs are to ship the middle of next week, we can't wait!!
Mark
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 3/20/2010 5:00:09 PM
Today was another beautiful day. It was 70 degrees and we are starting to see a few buds. We spent most of the day repairing our backhoe. Lisa put a coat of water seal on the sub floor as we are to get a little rain on Sunday eve. We got word that the logs are nearly ready. We hope to have them in a week. The mill assures us that we will be very pleased with the product. In the meantime we will begin the septic system. We have an Amish family setting the logs and roof system. They are very skilled craftsmen and are also fast in getting things done. They were doing a barn raising a little further down the road today and nearly finished it in one day. They are anxious to get started on the logs.
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| Lisa coating the subfloor |
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| Repairing equipment is never fun |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 3/16/2010 5:55:22 PM
. The snow is almost gone and the rain has stopped. Todays tempatures were in the upper 50's and it felt great. We all met at the house after work and school and got several hours of work acomplished! We are finishing up some odds and ends waiting for the logs to get here. The electric is done and ready for inspection. When you have a beautiful day like today it is hard to leave the peace and quiet of the woods and go back to the noise of the city.
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| Our view from the front porch |
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| Our oldest son striking lines for the logs |
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| One of our other sons and nephew finishing up the electrical lines |
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| The basement which will be a family room |
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| Two of our sons enjoying the warm sunshine |
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| Removing a tree stump from the front yard |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 3/15/2010
Work over the weekend and after work today went at a very slow pace (I blame the weather). Today it is finally starting to dry out. With the recent snow melt and nearly 3" of rain Saturday and Sunday the drying will be slow. With all that said, Twelve finished the electric service and I placed the last 100' of conduit in the trench. I hope to layout the floor for the logs and I will be marking all of the doors windows and electric boxes. I hope to get some new pictures later this week.
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 3/10/2010
I went to the house after work and dug the last 100' of ditch for the new electric service. It is extremely muddy with all of the melting snow. Hopefully it will be all melted in a few more days. The 50 degree temperatures were welcome!!! I will be reviewing the log list again tonight and tomorrow we release the order for cutting.
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 3/9/2010
This is a photo taken on our trail cam behind our foundation. We hope they stick around for a long time. What a beautiful sight to see all the wildlife right in your backyard!
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| Some of our friends |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 3/9/2010
We now have the foundation completed and are waiting for our logs to come. The east coast had three major snow storms in February, which pushed back the delivery of the logs from the beginning of Feb. to the middle of March. In the meantime, we installed our underground piping for our electricity, phone and cable. We are always going up to the land to look around and enjoy the beautiful scenery. We put a trail cam in the back of the house and have gotten some awesome pictures of many deer on our land.
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| Foundation |
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| Nice view |
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| Two bucks sparring |
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Posted to Mark--Lisas-Log-Cabin by Mark in Altoona, PA
on 3/9/2010
We were driving down a quiet country road in Altoona, PA in the spring of 2006 and noticed a "LAND FOR SALE" sign posted on a piece of ground. We had been looking for some time for the perfect place to build, and this was it. We closed the sale of the land in July, 2006!
After battling with the department of transportation for one year about giving us a right-of-way to our land, we were permitted in July, 2007. We began the long, agonizing process of obtaining a construction loan and were to close in October, 2008. A week before we were to close on our loan, the economy went in the tank and we backed out. After searching through many books and magazines, we made the decision to build a log home. We have been married for 30 years and have always dreamed of someday owning our own log home. Our families are all tradesmen in different parts of construction. Mark's family has a plumbing and HVAC business, Lisa's father is a plaster, drywall and stoneworker, our brother-in-law and his son are electricians, and our son is also in construction and has a good deal of experience in block work and woodworking. After we backed out of our loan, we began construction on the foundation with our own money. We finally obtained our construction loan in October, 2009.
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