The end of day two...

August 13, 2009

The view up under the first floor.
 

The third floor joist....monsters. The guys are trying to figure out a good plan...

We used the fork to pinch the joists one at a time end out and managed to get all the joists on the third level.

The floor joists.

The end of day three.

August 14, 2009

We were less than impressed by the weather....not an easy task putting together the roof structure in 40mph winds and rain.  After putting up the four corner posts for the third level, we decided working some 24ft off the ground was for the birds. There was no way we could hand assemble the roof system with just the three of us.  So we assembled it on the floor of the third level and started researching crane or boom truck services that could reach 60+ feet and hold the weight.  The crane couldn't make it out for  a few days....so we started framing.

End of day four.

We framed the walls on the outside of the timber frame to keep the look of the full timbers on the inside of the house. 

Crane Day

We thankfully had enough hands to from many gracious friends and the crane rigger....but we could have used a few more hands...we each tried to man a corner to insert the knee braces and someone tried to put the center posts in....it took some creative thinking, but we managed.

It was awesome to finally have the third floor and roof section in place.

A sunny day.  The view from the third level is stunning.  Denali and Foraker make for a magnificent view.

The view towards the Inlet.

Framing the third floor.  Notice the obscene amount of Simpson strapping on the corners...sorta glad it's there now that I've felt some 80+mph winds.

More help arrived from Montana...A friend of mine came to lend a hand in the framing.

The third level plywood is up...the floor is down...now we just need a roof and windows.

The floors Aaron and I worked on all summer.  We distressed new wood to make it look old and then stained it with three different colors. We love the look.

Working on the deck on the third level was a bit scary at times.  The deck wraps entirely around the house on the third floor.

Had to do a blue deck...just a little different.

The third floor future windows.  All the windows are triple pane 4x5's.  The windows facing up valley toward the wind are triple pane with the outside glass piece 1/4 inch thick. They are rated up to 200mph winds.

The door on the third floor was an after thought. Originally we were planning on having the main entrance on the first level.

The piece of property we ended up purchasing was PERFECT. We are making a ramp from the our parking spot to the third level.

The third level is where our kitchen and living room will be.  The walkway will be awesome... just will take some engineering.

The roof starts taking shape. 
The LVLs that sat on the hips were a real joy to get up 30 feet in the air.

I can't say enough about these kinds of nights in Bear Valley.  They are so peaceful and the view just swallows you up.  Denali and Foraker stand tall over Anchorage.

As if Denali and Foraker aren't enough, we also have an amazing view of the inlet and Mt Susitna, and the mountains at the back of the valley. 

We are so spoiled.

The sunset over the inlet.

More roof action. 

We also managed to get Tyvek on the first two levels, that was fun.

Some local residents of Bear Valley, AK.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2009

The roof plywood is on and it really feels like a house now.  Still quite drafty though.  We were blessed to have a glorious fall, though it did rain some. Snow has stayed away and we are SO pleased. We just need metal on the roof, windows, doors, heat, plumbing, electricity...who am I kidding...the list goes on and on.

The covered porch...We have a five foot overhang.  All the reading I did on hurricane zones says keep the overhang to a minimum.  Since we are in the 125mph 3 sec wind zone that makes us pretty much qualify for a hurricane zone....Aaron insisted on the covered porch, which I love. I just hope our roof doesn't take flight.  We have overkill on hurricane clips and straps, so we'll see.

The view inside toward where the kitchen will be. The small window will be just over the kitchen sink. I'll have a fabulous view of the mountains.

The mountain view out the window.

Finishing up the felt on the roof.  The ropes were a must crawling around up there. A harness system would have been preferable.

The walkway is completed...almost.  At least it beats going up two flights of ladders with materials and equipment. I'm not sure what the dogs think at this point, maybe once we have railing they'll like it more.  It's a little spooky walking across; unbelievably scary in the wind.

Darn snow came too soon....luckily the forecast assured us that the temps would warm so we could finish the roof!

I think the only picture of me working on the house...Thank you Chad.  I'm the only one who ever takes pictures.

Aaron and I working on the roof in the chilly evening air.