Stamon Adventures - Ramblings from the Road: February 2019

Our first "real" snow. Everyone says we are having a very mild winter. We have had about 6-8 inches the last few days, and are expecting more tomorrow. The snow is so beautiful and we don't mind it at all. We were out the other night and the snow looked like diamonds falling from the sky and spread over the snow. We purposefully don't have yard lights so we can see the night sky and snow. So amazing and a powerful reminder of how awesome our God is.

Mike and "Buck" like plowing, and they team up with Allan and "Chuck" to keep our little valley plowed out. They like to plow at night as it is easier to see the snow depth in the plow lights.

The following is a sequence going up our driveway from our gate to the shop....

Looking from our gate to our hill

Starting up the hill from the first corner

Almost to the big corner, halfway up

Just around the big corner and starting up the 2nd section of the hill

Almost to the top

Looking down the hill from the top, facing due north. House is to the left and shop is behind me. Baxter was keeping me safe!

Almost back down to the big corner from the uphill side. Driveway is almost 1/2 mile -- 21 stations, or 2100 feet from the gate to the top.

View from the front deck looking southwest towards Sherman Pass and Highway 20 (east end of the North Cascades Highway). If you look closely you can see a faint hill in the distance. We watched that burn last summer. Several homes were lost - the fire started and took off quickly and some people had less than 15 minutes to evacuate. We are doing "zero-scape" around the house - nothing combustible within 200 feet. We will do raised beds for gardening and some plants next to the house, but they will be surrounded by landscape rock. Will be nice, and low maintenance, plus not a lot of watering.

We look forward to lots of visitors. We will have the glider rockers and porch swing all warmed up for you, and cold drinks in the fridge. For those of you that like fall and winter, there is lots if good hunting and sightseeing, and skiing at 49° North about 35 minutes away!

Greetings from Glory Ridge on a beautiful snowy day. It snowed about 4 more inches last night, and is still snowing. These pictures are in reverse chronological order and I can't figure out how to flip them, so if you have a brain that won't work backwards, start from the bottom of this post!

We are making progress. Workers are repairing drywall cracks caused by moving, have all 3 pieces connected with literally over 900 lag bolts, roof is all weather tight, and the furnace is turned on, so there is heat inside. Once drywall is finished and painted, we can install the hardwood flooring, light fixtures and appliances. Part of the water system is installed in the warm room in the shop, and water is being tested to determine what type of treatment we will need. House is connected to power, and Mike is building the base for the gas fireplace in the living room. That will be installed on Thursday, and then we will have to complete the trim work. Will probably be some type of stacked stone. Lots to get done in a short period of time, as furniture is scheduled to be delivered on the 25th! We have lost the workmen for 3 days now due to bad weather (they come up from Yakima and stay during the week), so there us pressure on them to get to the point where we can lay the floors. Still need to get the propane connected to the house, and the company changing out the furnace and hot water from electric to gas will also be here on the 25th. May have to delay furniture for 1 week, but hope not - all depends on getting the floors down.

Baxter the snow dog - he loves the snow!

Look close and you can see the snow piles around the house. Mike does a good job plowing with Buck. He and Allan plowed out the neighbors this morning - boys and their toys!

View from the front deck - there are hills out there but the snow is falling and you can't see them

Looking down the driveway - there is really one there!

Let there be lights! First time seeing lights on at night...

Doing our least favorite chore - dumping holding tanks for the motorhome. Happens about every 5-7 days. We installed a dump to our septic system, so at least we don't have to move the motor home.Will be SO glad to not do this anymore!!!

Crew installing the pressure tank and well connections in the "warm room". The room is 90% complete. Just waiting on the electrical inspection and we can cover the interior walls.

Mike checking out installation of exterior blocking for the house. Then the contractor can come in and install skirting. Once that is in place we can turn on the water to the house, as it will be protected from freezing.

Moonrise viewed from the front deck

Framing for the warm room. Mike did 2x8 walls with offset 2x4 studs so it can be double-insulated. It has been down in single digits for the last week, and everyone tells us this has been a mild winter. Don't want the water system freezing! Warm room and electrical panel. Outside wall of the shop is also insulated with foil-faced styrofoam for extra protection.