The plan in retirement is to spend spring, summer and a large portion of fall out at the cabin. Up until the summer of 2018 we only had short periods of time to spend at the cabin due to other commitments such as work and raising a family. A long-weekend here and there or a week or two for vacation seemed to be all we could manage. We both really enjoy the cabin and lake so we want to be able to spend more time there.
Our long term goal, a 4 to 5 year plan is to build all the structures we need to accommodate our needs if we spend 3 seasons a year at the cabin. Once the new cabin and out buildings are complete we plan to sell our home and travel when we are not lazing about the cabin and lake.
Storage is going to be an issue. Solved that problem with a little planning in the design of the new cabin but also in building a “pole barn”. The pole barn will provide storage for tools and equipment but also provide a dry work space for when it is raining.
August 28, 2018 Shows the process of leveling the auger ensuring it digs a hole straight up and down. We purchased the auger but Dan had to build an extension for it so we could dig the holes as close to 6 feet as possible.August 28, 2018 Once the hole was drilled as far as the auger would go we added the extension to get some more depth. The poles need to been down deep to help prevent heaving with the freezing and thawing cycles we experience here.August 28, 2018 Nice clean, straight hole in hard, dry clay ready for a pole to be placed.August 28, 2018 Amy staining the portion of the log that will be underground. This will help preserve the wood and keep it strong enough to hold up the building for a long time.August 28, 2018 Area for pole barn cleared and first corner pole insitu. August 28, 2018 Here Amy and Dan have a pole in place in one of the holes and are back filling it with clay. Then water is added and the soil “tapped” down over and over again. Then more dirt is added and more water followed by more tapping. When completed the hole is full of wet soil and the pole is standing straight and sturdy in the center of the hole. Once the soil dries out around the pole it is like concrete supporting the pole in place.August 28, 2018 Dan and I drilling a hole for the center pole on the east wall of the building. Dan is working the auger and I am using a metal pole to help keep the auger in alignment straight up and down.August 30, 2018 All fifteen poles in place for the pole barn.September 4, 2018 Dan and Keith working to level the floor. Once the poles were in place it was easy to see how much the soil was raised in the back west corner. Slowly but surely the clay was removed layer by layer until it was level all the way across. All the soil that was removed was used in landscaping on the lower level of lawn down by the lake.September 9, 2018 Dan and Keith beginning the work on the roof.September 17, 2018 Bracing on walls and roof done. All ready for tin on the roof and spruce tongue and groove on the walls.September 21, 2018 Dan beginning the process of putting tin on the roof. Getting the 16 foot long tin to the cabin was an adventure in itself. If you get the chance ask Dan some time.September 25, 2018 Tin is done and have begun putting the spruce tongue and groove siding on the walls.September 30, 2018 Door in on east wall and first coat of Sikkens done for a bit of color and to protect the wood.October 8, 2018 building doors.Middle of October 2018, pole barn completed.
Pole barn completed just in time for the snow to start falling. It was close but we got it done. Some work on the inside remains to be completed but that will have to wait until next summer.
