In the words of The Grateful Dead, “what a long strange trip it’s been” - I guess I would change the phrase to, “what a long, expensive, exhausting, and enlightening journey it’s been”. Every ounce of energy, ever penny spent, and every headache suffered, it’s all been worth it. Would I do it again? Probably not. Would I be better at making it happen? Absolutely. This is one of those things that you only want, and need, to do once in life. As long as it doesn’t ruin you emotionally or financially, it’s a BIG WIN! No regrets. At all.
We now have the foundation for the studio/darkroom building completed. It was a long day yesterday making that happen. And did I say how expensive it was? Trying to get contractors and materials up here can be 20% to 50% more expensive than in the suburbs. I would warn anyone building in a remote area to be aware of this - don’t think that if it costs $100 in town, it will be $100 where you’re at. It will be more like $120 or $150 - and times that by the number of projects you want to do. Also, inflation has taken a bite out of the budget as well and it compounds all of it. Okay, enough about the money. You get it.
As of today, we have only three (outside contractors) projects to complete: erection of the 20x30 building, the deck on the house, and the free-standing wood burning stove. We’ve started all three and hope to have them complete by the end of August. The building should go up in the next two weeks, and the deck should be completed in that time-frame as well. Jeanne and I will frame and finish the darkroom/studio area ourselves and complete that this month sometime. And then we’ll get ready for winter.
It’s been a 5 year journey. We hope 2022 will be our “settling” year. No more building, no more contractors, and no more spending money like a drunk soldier on leave. We’re really looking forward to enjoying the fruits of our labor.
Quinn acting as a three-point buck on pouring day! Photo by Jeanne
Pouring the concrete slab for the building - July 6, 2021
16 yards of 4000 PSI concrete -
We were lucky and had great weather for the pour and finish.
Almost cleaned up - forms being removed.
Ready to cure for a week and then the building goes up!
There it is! We start putting the building up on July 15, 2021. It should be completed on July 17, 2021. Then, I will build out the inside (darkroom and studio), get the doors and windows in, and start making images!!!