Author: HooHaAdventures

A mild winter in the U.P. made it possible to squeeze in an extra trip to finish up a few small projects and schedule inspections. We stayed at the Birch at Hiawatha Cabins as we didn’t want to open the RV this early in the season.

First order of business: finalize and test plumbing.

After a successful test, we were ready for the inspection! One small change was needed, but the end result was success!

We celebrated our plumbing success with a worthy trophy.

With one day before the building inspection, we completed some small jobs, took a short hike, and did some planning for future work.

Friday afternoon, we met with the building inspector. He reminded us that it had been 6 years since we started this process!! If you’ve followed the blog, you know we have done this ourselves, with help from friends and family, at the speed of cash. It has required patience and perseverance. What started as just a dream, turned into sketches and now this.

We celebrated with dinner at the Buckhorn and an early departure this morning. Next trip, we will be getting closed cell insulation installed and after that, we are planning for Dry Wall Summer! Hooha!! J+M

As we start spring of 2024, it occurred to me that I neglected to post our final trip up to the cabin. At the end of September, we headed up north one more time for inspections, closing up the trailer and final tasks. This trip we brought one more set of hands and three supervisors.

The weather was perfect for working outside. We got the metal roof installed on the porch.

Smaller projects were also completed.

We did have a chance to have a little fun in between projects.

Inspectors visited. Some good news, some bad news.

With many tasks completed, and the air getting cooler, it was time to close up camp for the year.

Fall down seven times, get up eight. As I write this blog post, we are headed up for another shot. The final sunset of the season reminds us that a new day will come with more projects, more progress and more memories. Hooha!! J+M

We are returning from 9 days of work on the cabin, crossing items off our list. First item: finish painting: which required renting the Nifty Fifty for the week.

We had beautiful, albeit very hot weather for the first few days. We both did some painting, and I also cleared the backyard of branches and logs to make room for Nifty for the back and side.

As is the way of life in the woods, we needed to drive an hour each way to Menards for supplies and a new ladder to finish our painting.

We had to fill in the window well next to the crawl space door with gravel, so we ordered some gravel to be delivered. Yours truly got in a great cross-fit workout hauling and shoveling.

Given that this was my birthday, we got to clean up and head out to Tracey’s for dinner. Amazing as always!! Highly recommend if you are in Munising.

The next day, we installed the vent pipe. But first, J had to install a new faucet in the RV.

We had some other items on the list. Install an air circulation vent in the crawl space. Attached metal wire and plumbing protectors throughout the whole house.

While we still had the lift, we trimmed a few trees that were dying.

J worked on installing the pex water lines for the whole house. We had already tested the drains and let them sit for a few hours with water, and no issues! He had to get all the lines in at once as the water needed to be turned off, which affected the RV. 8 hours later, no leaks!!

We had a few more items on the infamous list. Seal the front porch and install posts for future roofs for the mini-splits.

Last, but certainly not least, finished installing the smoke alarms.

We have one more trip up to hopefully schedule inspections and seal things up for the winter. Leaves were already starting to turn, so it will be interesting to see if the autumn colors are peaking when we return. It was a very productive, and exhausting trip checking things off the list! Hooha! J+M

As we drive back to the cabin to get more work done, I ponder about how much progress we have made this year. There have been 2 trips to the cabin since the beginning of July, and a family vacation to the East Coast. The summer of 2023 has been busy.

On the first trip, we tackled the plumbing.

Over at least 3 full days we planned, cut, glued the drains and plumbing for the cabin.

We finished hooking up the mini-split, and ran some gas lines for the water heater and future appliances.

After long days of work, we got a chance to relax and watch the Munising fireworks, always such an excellent display!

For the next trip, J went alone and was joined by Mr. M and son to help with building a front porch. In Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451, there were no front porches because the government didn’t want people congregating and talking to each other, as front porches encourage. We definitely wanted a front porch.

Before our amazing helpers returned home, they had a chance to explore some of the area’s waterfalls.

As the sun sets, the time at the cabin came to a close. We are so blessed to have amazing friends to help through so many parts of this build. Hooha!! J+M

Just like that, another building season has started, with the melting of the snow and ice.

Just like the end of winter, we started this trip, with all of us in various stages of a nasty cold. But, before we could start our work, we needed to tend to some unfinished business. Opening up the rv, we remembered we needed to replace our toilet. Only 1/2 day lost with travel to and from Camping World, and removing old and replacing new. This gave K a chance to rest up and get back to health. First things first…

With that out of the way, we started installing the Mr. Cool mini split systems in the garage, and on each floor of the cabin. These systems have 22 SEER, so will be very efficient, and eliminate the need to put ductwork in our cabin.

With the garage install complete, the larger unit with 2 zones: one for each floor was tackled. In the end, we were short about 10 feet of pre charged line, so only the upstairs unit was tested. Likely, we will replace the longer garage line with a shorter length to avoid so much excess coiled outside, and use the 16 foot line for our remainder needed to finish the main floor heating and cooling.

To optimize air flow and humidity in the cabin, we also installed a humidistat-controlled fan in the attic and crawl space.

Next, water. We hooked the existing well pump (that hasn’t run since original cabin burned down about 10 years ago) to a new pressure switch/tank and voila!!!

With water, we set up our tankless water heater.

What did I do, when all this mechanical work was being done? Aside from being chief cook and bottle washer, I painted the side of the house under which the larger outside condenser would sit. I dug a giant hole to house our future window well outside the small door to the crawl space. With a cover, it will stay nice and dry.

I also cleaned up the backyard and piled cut logs leftover from last year’s tree cutting. A solid day’s workout.

Stitch definitely helped!

For 3 1/2 days of work, we accomplished what we set out to do. Next trip, finish main floor hvac with additional pre charged line, complete all plumbing, drains and vents. Until then, hooha! J+M

When you know your ‘why’ then your ‘what’ has more impact, because you are working towards your purpose. – Michael Jr

The 2022 cabin building season was productive, fast, and exhausting. But the ‘why’ made it all worth the work!

We made our last trek up north at the beginning of October with plans to enjoy the gorgeous weather and get some final projects done before closing up for the winter.

With such beautiful weather, and no rain in sight, we decided to get some painting done.

It was not all work and no play. Know your why. The leaves became more beautiful each day we were there. Our daily walks revealed God’s painting, and it was breathtaking!

We had company part way through our trip. Some work, but mostly to enjoy the weather and outdoor activities the area has to offer.

This part of the UP has many waterfalls and beautiful areas to explore. You can drive 40 minutes to Lake Michigan and 20 minutes to Lake Superior. There are woods, lakes, rivers, and beaches. The aurora makes an appearance in this area if you are lucky enough to see it. Places to hike, mountain bike, kayak, canoe, fish, and explore. Snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fat biking, ice climbing, and ice fishing keeps the area active in the winter. For the leaf peepers, the show is spectacular. This area draws you outdoors regardless of the season. It is honestly one of the main reasons we are building here.

After all the fun and exploring, it was time to close up the cabin and trailer and say goodbye until next year.

In 2022, over a few weeks and a couple of long weekends, we managed to build, roof and wire a garage, build a deck and paint 3/4 of the cabin and garage. It’s been a very productive year, and this beautiful week brought us back to the why. Hooha! J + M

So many projects started, so much to finish. Three weeks ago, it was time to get the metal roof on the garage. J and K headed up for a long weekend to get ‘er done.

In addition to getting the roof on, might as well give the family Sparky some projects.

With these major projects completed, we came up to tie up loose ends.

The list was long. Some projects small and others large.

We got to work on the rest of the siding. Peak first…

Next, the back side of the garage

It wasn’t all work and no play this trip. We did take a night off for a nice dinner and sunset.

The weather was perfect for the work. The next day, we got to work on the rest of the siding.

We took an opportunity to do a few smaller projects before tackling the last wall of siding and soffits. First, we tackled the metal soffits over the garage. Then we tested out our color here.

Finally, we got to the last side of siding

As a celebration, we visited our little lake for a quick dip.

Soffits around the remainder of the garage were done next.

We finished the remaining gallon of paint around the back of the garage in anticipation of building the back deck. We did have to add one cement post, but the sand made for easy digging.

We found a bargain on one of our trips to Menards in Escanaba. We were able to pick up 20 pieces of Novik Dry Stacked Stone to go under the siding to cover the concrete.

Meanwhile, I set my sights on clearing little trees from around the house, and marking bigger ones to be removed by professionals.

We cleaned up all the construction debris inside and out before packing up. Quite a successful trip full of quality time together and the completion of many projects.

With the weather absolutely perfect until our last day, we could have kept going. It will only be a few weeks until we head back. We have a few things to do, and possibly do a little more R&R. It’s coming along! Hooha!! J + M + Stitch

We headed up to our Cabin with plans of getting a lot of work done. We were both feeling strong and determined. We brought Stitch for moral support and foot rubs.

After crossing The Mighty Mac, we arrived to set up camp and prepare for work. We hoped to get the garage dried in, and cabin sided.

First we tackled details with the garage. Using scaffolding and ladders, we made rafter tails, added blocks between the rafters, and added fascia board.

To reach all the heights, we rented a Nifty Fifty for the week: an articulating lift that is operator driven from the basket.

This helped us reach the tall areas of the garage to build soffits on all sides. J manned the lift while I operated the chop saw.

In order to put up fascia, the ends needed to be cut at the back of the garage or extended at the front of the garage. This will give a 16 inch soffit at the front and a slightly narrower one at the back. We had purchased 16 foot rafters rather than 18 foot for the cost ($17 per board), so we had to make this small adjustment. The back of the garage will face the back deck, so it will be less obtrusive with the narrower soffit.

After a hearty breakfast, we were ready to tackle the vertical boards on the sides of the garage so we could continue to dry in the building.

With only a crew of 2, we found a rhythm in J doing the climbing, measuring, calling out measurements, me doing the chopping and the handing up of boards.

The next day was OSB on the roof day, or Leg and Worry Day. I’ll leave it to the reader on who did what…

In addition to worrying, I would use the circular saw to cut the OSB to length and help lift it up, while climbing on the scaffolding to pass it up. J muscled each sheet, secured in place and added foot holds for the next row.

Next, we needed to add the synthetic roof paper. This involved more roof time, wrangling long sheets of roof paper and repositioning the stepping boards.

The next order of business was tackling the siding. Front of cabin first…

Again, as with the framing and roofing, teamwork prevailed. I cut the cement board siding and carried them up to the second floor and handed them out the windows to J as he installed, then measured for the next piece. These were my Leg Days…

Before tackling the back, and last side of the house, we decided to keep NF (Nifty Fifty, not the rapper) on the one side of the house and tackle the adjacent side of the garage. So, in order to do that, we needed to install windows and door.

On our last day, we pushed hard to finish the back side of the house. It was a very hot and humid day. There were a few extras we had to do earlier in the week in preparation for this side. We fortified the wall and garage roof where they meet to make sure no water ever pools in this area.

The next morning, we returned NF, boarded up the garage and put a lock on the door. We worked for 10 days straight, and got a lot done. We need to celebrate our wins, and congratulate one another on a job well done. We went home full of ibuprofen and smelling like tiger balm. Hooha! J & M

This year for Father’s Day, the boys generously offered their time and muscle to working on the cabin. First job: construct and put up garage door header. This consisted of 2 20 foot 12-inch LVLs for a code-approved header.

The next order of business required building a walkway to allow for safe working conditions when constructing the rafters. This walkway will be left up and serve as storage area in the garage.

Next, the ridge poles were built. This helps hold the ridge beam in place until all the rafters are built and set in place.

With the ridge beam in place, the rafters could be installed. This process included cutting and notching the 16 foot boards, then installing them on one side of the beam, then the other, 1 foot on center to bear the weight of the UP snow.

Father’s Day was beautiful, so we decided to take a trip into Munising for a ‘break’.

Apparently, getting down from the scaffolding, an ankle was sprained and 5th metatarsal fractured (again). Fortunately it is a small break, unfortunately it delays drivers ed classes for the summer.

With one man down, the job of completing the roof was on a crew of two. The goal was to get all the rafters set before heading home.

The weekend was successful, with some quality time spent together creating the family cabin. It was definitely a Father’s Day to remember. Next trip, we will focus on closing in the garage, and hopefully finishing up the siding. Until then, hooha! J + M

As the snow has melted, it was time for us to get back to work. This year, we planned to use our Memorial Day weekend to frame up the attached garage. Sadly we lost our supervisor, Rocky, at Christmas. In February, we brought Stitch into our home… an 18 month old rescue from Indiana Bulldog Rescue.

Earlier this spring, we discovered that our cement board siding is being discontinued in Northern Menards stores due to diesel prices as it is manufactured in the Southern US. We called Escanaba and had 200 pieces delivered to our property to complete what we didn’t on the cabin, as well as at least three sides of the future garage.

We also discovered a significant price difference in lumber for the rafters by $27.00 per board from our local Menards to the Escanaba store. Dragging up 40 in the truck was a no-brainer!

After unloading and opening camp, we were ready to work.

We needed to show the new Supervisor around so he would get a lay of the land.

Setting the treated boards for the sill plates started our workday.

Next, we built some walls. We started with the west wall, which included a window and side door.

We proceeded to build the rest of the walls: some in sections to reduce the load. Clearly, my Triumph Studio workouts have helped me immensely with the strength needed to haul around construction timbers, our Supervisor told us to watch our backs.

We did start to make a header for the 16 foot garage opening. We later changed our mind and will go with a beefier header which will easily surpass snow loads up here.

After a productive weekend, we said goodbye for now. Upcoming trips will include rafters and roof, drying in garage, finishing house siding and starting garage siding. Hopefully HVAC and drains will round out 2022.

Until next time, hooha! J, M and Stitch