This week, construction has continued quickly – the beams supporting the house are almost completely in on late Friday – Paul was confident they would finish either today or Monday. The guy from Salem Five was onsite to document progress. Assuming the Appraiser finally files his report, we should be able to close the loan … Continue reading “Construction continues”
This week, construction has continued quickly – the beams supporting the house are almost completely in on late Friday – Paul was confident they would finish either today or Monday.
The guy from Salem Five was onsite to document progress. Assuming the Appraiser finally files his report, we should be able to close the loan next week and immediately disperse funds to Paul – which would be huge
Photos from midweek and today below – beefy stuff – notice the size of the brackets! (which were actually too small and Paul had to create a dado for them to fit – which may or may not have been intentional from the factory in order to create a more smooth line to mount the siding on).
Paul mentioned with the two types of foundation and the two types of roofing systems this house has (regular Deck house and the new Truss system Deck has), the house is one of the more, if not most complicated to work on that he has done – at least in a long while. The Bank documentation guy was excited to see the house – he said he had not seen a Deck house being built in ages and ages. People keep saying to me how excited they are to see it – which makes you feel good!
I need to book several travel dates to SFO and have started to get them together July/August: TBD September: WEDNESDAY September 2nd arrive SFO, SATURDAY September 12 leave SFO
I need to book several travel dates to SFO and have started to get them together
July/August: TBD
September: WEDNESDAY September 2nd arrive SFO, SATURDAY September 12 leave SFO
Things are progressing quickly on the house building front and I thought I would show what is going on. Below is an excerpt from my post back in May after the blasting as a point of reference. Compare that to the pictures below! The foundation has been put in, the backfill of dirt and rock … Continue reading “Bedford road construction progress”
Things are progressing quickly on the house building front and I thought I would show what is going on. Below is an excerpt from my post back in May after the blasting as a point of reference.
standing at the well head, in the near distance is where the living room will be (on concrete piers). Where the rubble is will be the concrete slab for the garage
Compare that to the pictures below! The foundation has been put in, the backfill of dirt and rock and gravel has gone in, the near final site grading has gone on and everything is extremely walkable again. Just a week before it was pretty treacherous – loose and shifting
Building materials for the floor have started to arrive and are wrapped up under sheet plastic (it is raining today here – Sunday). Things are moving forward very fast – Paul and I need the bank to catch up!
As you can see below, the foundation fill was in progress two weeks ago.
My builder, Paul Hebert and his son TimFill going in around the foundation and concrete piers. Water line to the geothermal well in the foregroundview from the future car port to the fireplace
Now – as of yesterday (June 27, 2015)
As of June 27, the final gradients are established and very large quantities of rock have been removed – though Paul has kept a significant pile that can be used to mark the property line clearly between me and Kimball’s – as per part of our agreement. The plan is to put in Concord grapes to mark the lot line. In the foreground left is the septic field.
Paul was sitting on one of these walls in the above shot (slightly off camera to the right in the future carport
Final grade pretty much for the garage shopMy Mom standing in the newly graded great room area with the fireplace foundation behind her to the left. Paul put down a fabric and then 1/2 inch crushed stone to try and discourage critters from digging holes under the housemore gradient examples. Sewage line on the left, geothermal line on the rightlooking down the driveway
I am a bit behind on posting adventures but since it is a rainy Sunday, I will try and catch up. Two weeks ago, my friends Clare and Sebastian Pedersen, came in from Seattle for a bit of a sight seeing trip of Boston and area. We met up on a beautiful and warm … Continue reading “Pedersen visit to Boston – touring the USS Constitution”
I am a bit behind on posting adventures but since it is a rainy Sunday, I will try and catch up. Two weeks ago, my friends Clare and Sebastian Pedersen, came in from Seattle for a bit of a sight seeing trip of Boston and area. We met up on a beautiful and warm Sunday and went to see the USS Constitution and the New England Aquarium. The Aquarium is very well worth the visit but does not allow photography so as not to disturb the animals. The USS Constitution was a great visit and I took lots of photos.
The USS Constitution is still a commissioned US Navy ship and is actively maintained by the Navy. At the end of May, early June, she moved into Dry Dock #1 in the Charlestown Naval Yard for a 3 year refit. One of the main things they are doing is replacing all the copper sheathing on her bottom with new. A neat thing is that the museum has the new copper plates out so you can sign your name to them with a copper metallic ink pen. We did that of course!
While the lower decks are currently not available for touring due to the current stage of the refit, we were able to walk on the deck and speak with the sailors manning her. I purchased a US flag and ship coin as a donation. Unexpectedly, the Lt manning the sales table unwrapped my flag and had me raise it up the mizzen mast to the top of the yardarm – so now my flag has flown from the USS Constitution – a real treasure!
The museum is interesting and focused heavily for school visits learning about the War of 1812 which I found neat but wished there was a bit more discussion around the origins of the USS Constitution. Originally, the US Navy was founded with 6 frigates (Constitution being one of them) to protect US commercial shipping around the world – since after revolting and separating from Britain, the Royal Navy no longer felt doing that sort of thing was still in their job description.
I would like to recommend the EXCELLENT book Six Frigates: the founding of the U.S. Navy to anyone who is interested in this. It talks about the furious debate on whether to build a Navy and what it should be used for immediately after the conclusion of the Revolution – and then the subsequent successes and failures of the young Navy. Ian W. Toll ISBN-13: 978-0393330328
Overall we had a grand time. Clare’s father (who still lives in London) is a volunteer who helped save and restore the famous tea clipper ship Cutty Sark He is still extremely active in her preservation and presentation. He was very interested in our visit and I sent over all my photos in full resolution.
Photos Ho! these are in general order as we approached and went through the ship, dry dock and museum.
USS Constitution’s long 24 pounder guns – if i recall correctly, all originally built in the Tower of London arsenalConstitution in Dry Dock #1 at the Charlestown Naval Yard. This was the first stone dry dock in north america and when built in 1838, was the largest civil engineering project to have been ever undertaken by the US government. The USS Constitution was the first ship to use it back in 1838 and is still using it today. Her normal berth is next door
Correction: from the USS Constitution restoration blog, this dry dock was the second in the US. Here is their quote:
Dry Dock 1 in the Charlestown Navy Yard and its companion dock in Gosport, VA were the first two public dry docks built in the United States. Both docks were built between 1827 and 1833 and were considered engineering marvels at the time. Gosport’s Dry Dock 1 opened first on June 17, 1833, making it the oldest dry dock in the country. Boston’s Dry Dock 1 opened at 5:30 AM on June 24, 1833 when Isaac Hull, a naval hero of the War of 1812, commandedConstitution across the dock’s sill. Vice President Martin Van Buren was there to witness the ship’s first ever dry docking.
Details of the dry dock construction – note how it is curved at the ends, almost like a Roman Forum – but probably more likely intended to use the arching stone work to spread the support load of the cornersThe Boston skyline in the background, across the Charles River basin – really an easy walk from downtownmy friends Clare and Sebastian Pedersen.Part of this round of dry dock work, expected to last 3 years, is a full replacement of the copper plating protecting the hull. The copper plates protect the wooden hull from organisms. The original plating was put on in this dry dock and was manufactured by Paul Revere’s company
And yet another correction from the Constitution’s restoration blog. Paul Revere provided the copper plates and bolts for the original sheathing – but contrary to what I understood, he brokered the purchase of the plates from England as the manufacturing capability did not exist in the US at that time. I don’t believe the Museum ever actually stated out right that Revere manufactured the plates – just that he supplied them – so my mistake yet again. The Blog is full of a tremendous amount of information!
The smooth curve of the hull and keel. Note in the background, as an extensive part of this refit, the dry dock itself was refurbished with a new floating caisson structure. It is a beautiful piece of engineering and they have an interesting time lapse movie at the museum showing its installationThe deck of Constitution is the only thing you can tour at the moment. Sebastian Pedersen checking things outFrom this angle, you can really start to see how thick the hull of the ship is – about 2 feet of oaklooking at the open gun ports, you can see the thickness of the woodAnother shot of the keel and the caisson structure. Note in the background is the USS Cassin Young, a WW2 Fletcher class destroyer. We did not have a chance to visit her on this trip but I would like to in the future http://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/historyculture/usscassinyoung.htm The Ship in the 1940s. USS Cassin Young was built by Bethlehem Steel Corporation at San Pedro, California and commissioned on December 31, 1943. Assigned to the Central Pacific, Cassin Young first experienced combat in April 1944, attacking Japanese strongholds in the Caroline Islands. In June, the ship escorted American amphibious forces that invaded the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Guam. In August, the ship was reassigned to Task Group (TG) 38.3, which included several aircraft carriers. For the remainder of the Pacific war, Cassin Young would be in the forefront of the naval offensive against the Japanese.
Constitution’s bow – she was normally considered a Fast Ship – when she didn’t have a fouled bottom
Sebastian presenting the Charlestown Navy Yard’s historic shipwright buildings – unfortunately not open to the publicA barrel that is held together by HOOPS! this is what the hoop mill at my property made and shows how they were used – fantastic!
A model of Constitution’s hull. There is a Model Shipwrights Guild associated with the USS Constitution Museum that builds a promotes the model ship buildingOne of the exhibits in the museum, showing how trees became timbers and then became shipsA cross sectional model of ConstitutionAfter visiting the USS Constitution, we are enjoying refreshing beverages, burgers and chips at the Bell and Hand pub – the oldest pub in Boston (founded in 1795 by the town crier). Across the street is the famous Union Oyster House. We had a wonderful cross breeze here which was nice on such a warm day
They successfully made the summit in what looks like was great weather. A very strenuous climb from all accounts due the straight up climb – Kaj compared it to a much bigger version of Mailbox Peak. Looks like a great trip! A good weekend for all Pedersen’s!
Went over to the Bedford road construction site this morning and the foundation work is almost complete. The major concrete action is done and I believe we are waiting for inspection. Paul Hebert (my general contractor) and I finished (I hope) the paperwork at Salem Five Bank for my construction loan. I think things will … Continue reading “Foundation work almost complete!”
Went over to the Bedford road construction site this morning and the foundation work is almost complete. The major concrete action is done and I believe we are waiting for inspection. Paul Hebert (my general contractor) and I finished (I hope) the paperwork at Salem Five Bank for my construction loan. I think things will be moving forward on that front soon as well.
A really, really professional job on the concrete from what I can see. Very neat, smooth and square.
Panoramic (so double click on this to get the up close details) – foundation is in place and awaiting inspection. A very professional job!Foundation for the garage (left) aka – The Shop – and the carport on the rightForest of columns – viewed from the future front door. The house will be elevated on these columns as the hill slopes away. How high, I am not sure at this point.The round tubes are for bearing the weight of the house. The square concrete structure is a corner that is going to take later thrust as well as bearing weight. In the back is the foundation for the chimney stack – I am putting in a Rumford FireplaceLooking down the big pile of rubble towards the driveway – my Dad in the middle distanceBig rocks and dirt pile – this is actually over the property line and the Kimballs have been quite gracious in allow us to store material there while construction is going onLooking out towards the Mill Race and outflow pond from the Old Saw Mill
In this prior post, you can see the site work prep for blasting of the rock ledge in order to prep it for the coming foundation – a rounded dome of hard rock with a 140 holes drilled into it for explosives Here is a video, shot by my EXCELLENT General Contractor – Paul Hebert … Continue reading “Blasting movie, site work and getting ready for the house foundation”
In this prior post, you can see the site work prep for blasting of the rock ledge in order to prep it for the coming foundation – a rounded dome of hard rock with a 140 holes drilled into it for explosives
In this video, shot by me on Saturday, you can see the scope of what was done. I find it very, very reminiscent of the broken rock you find in rock falls in the High Sierra when hiking in the back country of California.
Me, not having a lot of experience with this stuff, assumed that we were going to be shaving the top off the ledge and mounting the house on it. We are doing that kind of from what I can see – but we went a LOT deeper than I expected. Below are photos of the in progress work that my Dad took during this past week and some up close shots I took on Saturday. Serious movement of materials!
My parent’s Subaru in the foreground. Up on the hill, the excavator is clearing out rubbleWatch the video and you see that this is clearly a needed and necessary sign!Moving one of the tire matsLots of big rockOne of the remaining drill holes – interesting how it popped the rock up and out and the hole itself is intact. The hole is about 3 or 4 inches in diameterstanding at the well head, in the near distance is where the living room will be (on concrete piers). Where the rubble is will be the concrete slab for the garagePanoramic shot (double click to open it full and pan around). Taken near the future front door of the house
Interesting article here on The Magna Carta – it’s 8 century anniversary this year, its impact and suggestions of what it means. I think it is interesting and intrinsic about The Magna Carta that, while the article does not mention it, ideas are like viruses – once you catch an idea, it doesn’t go away … Continue reading “Magna Carta – 800 years on and its impact”
Interesting article here on The Magna Carta – it’s 8 century anniversary this year, its impact and suggestions of what it means. I think it is interesting and intrinsic about The Magna Carta that, while the article does not mention it, ideas are like viruses – once you catch an idea, it doesn’t go away and it propagates. Originally published in the Wall Street Journal by Daniel Hannan
Mr. Hannan is a British member of the European Parliament for the Conservative Party, a columnist for the Washington Examiner and the author of “Inventing Freedom: How the English-speaking Peoples Made the Modern World.”
Invasive plants were coming back after being cleared by John Bakewell of Carlisle Arboriculture. So I decided to take over my dad’s scythe with the brush blade to clear stuff on the other side of the silt barriers (since it would be hard to get a tractor mower over there). Part of the deal John … Continue reading “Hand mowing in Carlisle”
Invasive plants were coming back after being cleared by John Bakewell of Carlisle Arboriculture. So I decided to take over my dad’s scythe with the brush blade to clear stuff on the other side of the silt barriers (since it would be hard to get a tractor mower over there).
Part of the deal John worked out with the Kimball’s was that I would keep clear the invasive plants on the land behind the barn – in exchange for keeping all the junk plants under control and taking the white pines on the property line down. We are going to put some new trees (5 or so I believe) after everything is done.
standing on the Kimball’s property looking towards Pages Brook. The rock on the other side of the siltation barrier is the property line. Invasive plants on their way back in
MIDWAY through mowing
Using a brush hook blade on the scythe to clear the junk.
AFTER
Same place, to show the difference. I got about half of the junk cleared out between the barn, around the apple tree by the stack of telephone poles and the stone work by the old mill. Blisters and rain stopped me for the afternoon.
Beautiful day here in Carlisle today – cool (60’s) and windy. Did some mowing, some roof rack prep on the cars, bought a dump sticker for my car, got gas for the tractor and dropped by Bedford Road to see the prep work for blasting They were drilling holes last week and ended up with … Continue reading “Happy Memorial day and photos of blasting prep”
Beautiful day here in Carlisle today – cool (60’s) and windy. Did some mowing, some roof rack prep on the cars, bought a dump sticker for my car, got gas for the tractor and dropped by Bedford Road to see the prep work for blasting
They were drilling holes last week and ended up with 140 of them. Paul told me that they wanted the pieces to be small enough that they would be easy to take out. He was unsure what the material would be like but he is planning on using it in the driveway and for the stone patio at the front door – unless it is all dust.
Some of the blast holes with their black paper funnels. On the left is the stack of used car tire mat that is used to contain the blasting. Holes are all drilled and supposedly they are blasting Tuesday after Memorial Day140 holes for the explosives, drilled into the Gneiss rock. The black ‘spikes’ are tarpaper funnels inserted into the holes. The color contrast doesn’t do justice to the pure white rock dust/gravel from the holes. It reminds me of sea saltThe machine that has been drilling holes for the explosives
Today, Sunday, we went over to the building site with brooms and a bucket for splashing water around – to try and make the rock Gneiss a bit more camera friendly. Along the driveway we achieved great success – everywhere else – not so much. The good pictures below. I also broke out the scrub … Continue reading “Rowing shells and Gneiss updates”
Today, Sunday, we went over to the building site with brooms and a bucket for splashing water around – to try and make the rock Gneiss a bit more camera friendly. Along the driveway we achieved great success – everywhere else – not so much. The good pictures below.
I also broke out the scrub brush to start prepping boats for the 2015 summer season. Unfortunately, I discovered that Dad’s hi-performance single shell has started to delaminate along the joint between the deck and hull – in several places. One split was over 2 feet long. Interest was low in rowing in it, now the rot may be enough to consider it as a total write off.
My mom’s shell is a Maas Aero (if i recall correctly), made in Richmond California, across the bay from San Francisco 🙂 It is a really sweet boat – very handy, stable but still fast and efficient. Just a lot of fun. That boat is in great shape still.
So good stuff – more to do – but a good start in advance of Memorial Day!
A good shot of the Gneiss outcropping along the driveway – after a bit of sweeping of surface materialsGneiss – sweeping the top of the knollcleaning up boats for the 2015 season. Two single shells and a ride on top surf kayak. My dad’s high performance shell, which has not been used in several seasons, unfortunately showed a half a dozen delaminations between the deck and hull. Since it is very lightly built, the loss of integrity has turned it into a bit of noodle. We may come to a decision to apply fiberglass in long strips along the joints but due to its age, I think the decision is likely to come back as it is terminal rot. My mom’s shell is in the foreground and it is a sweet ride
