Closer view of the corner

This will look great when it's done - if my sissy muscles and hands can take it!

3 Rows Done....

Well - we have 3 rows now complete. The technique we are using requires us to pound a 24" piece of rebar through the top log and into the lower log.

I now am painfully aware of how much a computer nerd I am! This is hard work! My Dad and I can get 4 logs on in 5 hours - after which we collapse onto the ground.......

As Dad always says "If it was easy everyone would do it..."

Logs!

Now that's a pile of logs!

The First Row too!

Not being slackers - ol' Dad and I put the other 3 logs in place - total time to place the 4 logs was about 4 hours. Not too bad seeing as this is our first time doing this.

The First Log!!!!

Just behind the birth of my children was the joy I experienced as the first log was lowered onto the rebar and into place..... tears of joy almost sprang from my eyes - but it turned out to be sweat!

Dani says "Thumbs up to the Log Parade!"

My helper extrondinaire - Dani - was in charge of taking pictures - fine job Dani!

We're gonna get these logs up this hill dag nabit!

It's the Log Parade!

After having to dump 2 loads of logs at the bottom of the hill and carrying them up 1 at a time we got the bright idea to create a parade of POWER! The front end loader pulled the telehander which pulled the semi full of logs - and the whole mess was being pushed from behind by a bulldozer! As with most men - we responded with overwhelming force when confronted with a difficult task.....

Our first load of logs - YIKES!

After giving up on getting the logging truck up the muddy driveway - we had the logs unloaded at the bottom of the driveway.

The logs are much larger than I expected. I had made a scale model of cabin and ordered the logs based upon the model. After seeing the acutal size of the logs I might have way too many.... looks like everyone gets a log for Christmas this year!

One stuck logging truck

Not a very clear picture - but I had to give the logging truck a push. All the rain made mud, mud, mud....

View down the drive way

Foundation close up

The vertical logs (called RPSL's (Ridge Pole Support Logs)) need a solid base to rest on. The RPSL's rest on the columns you see in the picture.

The blue tank in the background is the well tank - which holds the water from the well.

The foundation.....

I had a crawl space foundation poured - 30 x 30.

Toys - BIG TOYS!

At log cabin building class we took they recommended using a block and tackle system to lift the logs. While that is a noble way to get the logs in place - I just don't see it happening.....

So I rented a telehandler - it can lift 3 tons up to 42 feet - and it's a blast to drive. This is the telehandler in the area we have cleared to stage the logs.

This is the goal....

If all goes as planned - this is what our cabin should look like - only time will tell.

Trees are everywhere!

When we first bought the property there was a significant amount of trees and brush to clear to get a building site big enough to move the equipment around.

Welcome!

This is the first post on my Dad's and my blog on our adventure of building a log cabin...... much more to come.