Cabin Projects

We completed two projects in the last three days here at the cabin. In the spirit of "before and after", the first photo shows the steps down to the lake. This was taken in April, and you can see how we had to store the dock and boat lift on the shore during the winter months. You can also see that the top of the steps are higher than necessary. This was a result of them being built before the landscaping was done, at which time the yard was lowered quite a bit and tapered away from the house and toward the shore.

First project: We cleared the shore on the west side of the steps so that we will be able to store the dock and boat lift there during the winter. That will leave the existing slope open for a better winter view of the lake. Kathie also cleaned up and burned much of the dead and down brush on the east side so that we can create some trails and additional access to the water on that side. The photo looking up from the dock shows the newly cleared part on the left (west) and the existing cleared shore on the right (east). Josey is busy studying the lake--something she loves to do, though she really doesn't like swimming in it.



Second project: We tore apart the upper steps, removed three of them, and built a new deck/walkway that goes straight out from the yard. Kathie cleverly filled in a small space between the stone walkway leading to the steps and the new deck/walkway. She filled it with rocks and stones of all sizes. She also used some of the sand and earth we removed under the old steps to create a better path into the woods and to the right of the steps. Not only are there fewer steps to climb now, but it all looks much more open. We think it looks much, much better and makes the entire yard much more attractive.



Finally, there is a picture of a happy Kathie and her pal, Josey, sitting on the new walkway.

This was all hard work but fun for me and very gratifying for us both.