Two Thirds of a Foundation Trilogy

Things at the camp are happening at breakneck pace!  Well, at least it's breakneck in Adirondack time.  That is one of the charms of the place...the hustle and bustle of the world seems to melt away when you're there, whether it's paddling, hanging out on the dock, dining, and I suppose building.  

I'd be calling the kettle black if I complain too much about our builder, Marc.  My unfinished garage has been in progress for about 12 years now.  My defense is that the Loonatic Crew and I only have about 30 total days of building in all those years, so I don't think it's all that bad.  And isn't that standard practice in construction?  Short bursts of activity and long periods of waiting?

I suppose that attitude is why Mary was so adamant about making sure that I didn't try to organize all this building activity myself.  And all my friends were on her side.  How can so many people be so deluded about my abilities?

You have to understand that this is a painful admission for a know-it-all, but I'm really learning a lot watching what Marc and his crew have been doing.  Not only that, I've allowed myself to become downright exited in anticipation of continued progress.  Where's that wood?  I must knock hard.

It's great watching a dream take shape.

Don't we have a lovely dirty mess?
I'm concerned that the weeds that were my lawn won't grow back properly.
Don't want any of that damn non-native grass...it grows too fast.

This is the new swimming pool.
Oh, wait a minute, no.
It's the foundation that defines the crawl space under the guest house.
This is where the bears will winter.
Or maybe it's a fallout shelter.
Or maybe it's where the bears winter nuclear winter.

I didn't get to drive it, but the power trowel did a nice job leveling the floor.

You may think this is the floor of the crawl space,
but it is actually art.
I'm calling it "Sleeping Armadillos."

You can tell these guys are professionals.
I never would have thought of finishing at the door.

The basement!  My basement!
Having shortened my lifespan by breathing the air under the previous camp
while dealing with one plumbing disaster after another,
I am ecstatic to have a wonderful mostly-below-ground building support structure.
The impeccable plumbing will come later.

The chimney support and the pads for the roof support.
When the climate becomes more like Florida,
and there is no longer any need for heat,
we can remodel it into a nice little wine cellar.
Then again, with enough wine, will we need heat?

No, the roof is not on yet, but that is the color.
If you think the whole thing looks too high, wait a little while.
The backfilling will bring grade back to where it was prior to construction.
The deck will be very close to the same level as the original.

What light through yonder decking breaks?
Though the deck will be above, some light will filter in
through the windows that will fill these openings.

This is where the bowling alley goes.
Anyone have experience with pinsetting?

This is a really beautiful rock,
But what's that bit of concrete in the ground to the right?
What is that rock doing on top of my septic tank!?!
Not sure that my demolition man understood why I marked off the area.

The garage balcony provides a panoramic view.

Knocking off on Friday, the crew is on the way to the cooler to grab a few fine white cans with a red Genesee label.  I asked...that's their preference.  I plan to make sure that next time, they'll enjoy their favorite frothy foam fresh from the facility at High Falls.