Treehouse:: Day 10

Roof's done.

Treehouse:: Day 8-9

Today I installed the windows and finished up the trim and railings. The metal roofing arrived also, so hopefully I will get that on tomorrow. The last thing I need to do is build a door and a safety gate for the top of the ladder. This has been a fun project, but I'm ready to move on to something else.

In other news, I recently washed my cell phone with some laundry, I don't recommend that. The phone is really clean though. I've been without a phone for almost a week, and I have to say, I don't really miss it.

Treehouse:: Day 7 (and PMC)

The pictures don't show it, but today was hard. I finished framing the openings for the windows and put up the siding. I used T1-11 siding, mainly to save some time, and money. Man that stuff is heavy, especially when you are working alone and lifting it ten feet into the air. Not to mention it was about 90 degrees and humid today. It was a two t-shirt day.

I don't want to complain though, because the PMC starts tomorrow night, so I am taking off for three days of bike riding. Two of my teammates and I are riding to the start tomorrow, about 70 miles from Boston. We will then ride 110 miles on Saturday (Sturbridge to Bourne), and about 90 miles on Sunday (Bourne to Provincetown). Whatever you find yourself doing this weekend, please stop for moment and think about those in your life who have been affected by cancer. You will be part of a tremendous circle of positive energy that transcends the bounds of cancer.

Treehouse:: Day 6

Today I built the ladder and started on the roof. The ladder is made with 2x6 and some leftover mahogany from a decking project I did a few years back. With the rafters installed, it is finally starting to look like a treehouse. This thing has taken on a life of it's own, I never imagined it would take this long, and cost this much, but I keep telling myself that the kids are going to enjoy it for many years, and since it is in our backyard, I want it to look nice.

Treehouse:: Days 4-5

Finished framing the walls yesterday and today, fastest part of the project so far. I was able to frame the walls on the upper deck, so it made the job easier. Next up is framing the roof trusses, not quite sure how that will go, as I have never built a roof before. I'm taking a few days off from the treehouse, tomorrow is my son's birthday party, and I am riding to Yarmouth on Sunday to visit some friends from Brooklyn that are are on the Cape for vacation.

Treehouse:: Day 3

Picture doesn't real show much, but I made some progress today. I finished framing the upper and lower decks, and started work on the railings. Next up is framing of the walls, but that will have to wait until Monday, now it's time to play. Bike rides planned for the next two days, and heading to Lowell Saturday afternoon to see Wilco.

Treehouse:: Day 2

Yesterday I had a few hours to continue work on the framing of the treehouse. In between rain showers I was able to frame the upper and lower decks. We are heading to Maine tomorrow for three nights of camping, so work on the treehouse will continue when we return.

Have a great Fourth!

Listening to: Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse- "Dark Night of the Soul"

Treehouse:: Day 1

After what seemed like 4 days of nonstop rain, I was finally able to get started on the treehouse yesterday. I had dug the holes for the posts the day before, so today I was able to get the framing up and all the holes filled with concrete. Working alone posed some interesting challenges, especially when it came to lifting 12 foot long 2x6's overhead and attaching them to the 4x4 posts, all at the same time trying to keep everything square and level. I used lots of clamps and bracing to keep everything level, and Suzie's dad stopped by and helped out for a few hours. For now everything is screwed together, but once the concrete sets up, I am going to use bolts to tie all the framing together.

As you can see, the treehouse is not actually supported by a tree, rather the tree will pass through the deck, so all you treehouse purists out there may not consider this a true treehouse, but lack of a big enough tree forced me to use posts to support the structure. Not to mention simpler to build. The main floor of the treehouse will be almost 8 feet off the ground. The four posts that stick up above the frame will later become a hand rail for a small deck. Next up is installing the floor joists and laying down the decking.

Listening to: Two Johns Cycling Podcast