More House Stuff

Our "house project" is creeping toward completion. Had the crew not run out of siding, that part of the work would be done. All that remains is a "triangle" on the east side of the new sunporch. However, this picture generally shows you how the finished porch will look. Outside work yet to be done includes: building a set of steps outside the west door of the porch, installing the door between the garage and the sunporch, and grading (oh yes, and the little bit of siding). The new gutters were all installed a few days ago. We love it!

The interior of the sunporch is now covered with pine carsiding. Here is how it looks at the moment. After electrical work is done and a floor is installed, I can finish the trim in the corners, around the doors, and the baseboard. We intend to put down a tile floor.

Mark's dad, Bob, and I did the interior work together. Here is some proof.

We also have the new door between the library and the sunporch installed. I have to do some trim work yet, but you can see the general idea here.

David & Robert

It is the best of times when one can reconnect with good friends. David and Robert were able to join us here at the lake these past four days. In partial celebration of their arrival, my sweetie baked a great apple pie, using apples we bought at an orchard on our way up here last week. All the WI orchards seem to be in full swing this time of year.

On his way here, David found something he thought I couldn't be without–a model of one of the decorated "Chicago cows." This one is more than ready for a dip in the lake.

Our first major outing was to an area of the national forest where an elk herd lives. About 100 animals occupy a large area within the forest, and there are several viewing areas where you can try to spot them. "Try" is the operative word here. We tried for quite awhile, but no luck. We did have a thoroughly enjoyable walk in the woods, however. The leaves here have not quite given up, and so the colors were delightful.

Here are our guests at the "entrance" to one of the viewing areas.

I had no luck photographing elk, but I took several pictures that I intend to use as "wallpaper" on my computer screen. Here is one. I keep trying to gain an artistic eye with my camera, and in that regard, this shot pleases me.

For another of our outings, we enjoyed a picnic on one of the islands in the lake. It was a gorgeous fall day with temperatures around 70º. We took a boat ride all the way to the dam that holds back this flowage, something Kathie and I have been wanting to do for quite some time.

Yesterday, we went to visit and tour the at-the-time-secret hideaway of Al Capone (1920s). Another nice day and lots of fun things to see. Also, some goofiness on the part of my companions as you will see below. That's Capone's bungalow in the background.

 

It was so good to see these guys after a too-long interval of several years. We all agreed to do a better job of staying in touch and finding time to get together in the future.

A Little More House Progress

We have a little more progress on the house this last week. The last of the siding has been installed. Only the peak on this west end of the house remained, and it was finished up on Wednesday. That is, all the siding on the original house and garage are finished–siding still needs to be installed on the outside of the sunporch.

The electrical wiring and boxes were all roughed in on Monday. You can see some evidence of that here. You will also notice that the south windows have been slipped into place.

With the windows in place, the sunporch just begins to take on a finished look. The inspection was completed and the project passed muster, so now the last steps can proceed–insulation, gutters, a bit of soffit (front porch ceiling, front overhang), sunporch completion, and yard grading.