Our Pioneer Spirit

It has been quite a while since we last posted anything on this site. Our last adventure followed a costly furnace/air conditioner replacement, during which I was working through a doctorate. Having finished my studies in December, we have been able to return to our dreams.

This time around, our dream is a long-view one: building a cabin in the woods in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Once all the necessary permits were obtained, and electrical service installed on the property, we had our crawl space poured for a 24 x 24 cabin.

Our plan: 4 days, 4 hands and 4 paws on deck! Jeffrey worked out all the details over the winter, and we had 4 days of dry weather ahead. Armed with a trailer filled with supplies, we were ready to go!

First job: apply waterproofing sealer to concrete foundation.

Next, we adhered the foam board on the outside and inside of the crawl space. R5 on outside, and R21 on inside which is above code for a non-ventilated crawl space.

With Day 1 in the books, we celebrated with July 4 fireworks in Munising.

For Day 2, we rented a bobcat to backfill and grade around the foundation. We also hooked up the sewer line and ran the water line into the crawl space. We had our lumber delivered to the property early in the morning as well, keeping schedules on track.

After an exhausting day, we returned the bobcat, and tried the new burger restaurant, Eh Burger, in downtown Munising followed by a walk on the dock.

Day 3 began with a hearty breakfast in anticipation of the work ahead.

Our jobs included building the center post out of concrete blocks, reinforced with rebar and filled with concrete.

The center floor support was installed, consisting of 6 total 2 x 12s.

Treated sill plates were drilled and bolted to the foundation with a foam gasket in between.

Rim joists were installed next, and we 2 x 12s for those.

Next, we started installing floor joists, 2 x 12s for a nice robust floor.

With half the floor joists in place at the end of Day 3, we called it a day. We got up early on Day 4 to complete our mission.

We finished the second half of the floor joists before noon.

The afternoon was spent laying down plywood, glueing and screwing (plywood). We also fortified an area that would be a hatch to access crawl space from inside the cabin.

We did it!! Phase one complete!

The adventures will continue. Our next plan will be to earn enough money to frame up the walls and roof. Maybe a bit of time to have a little fun. Until then… Hooha! Jef, Margi & Rocky