It's not the fall that kills you...

it's the sudden stop!


Well it is now over 20 feet to ground on the inside side of the cabin and if I remember Myth Busters correctly - we are getting to the point where it could be a bit dicey if you fell.

I strung a rope 30 ft in the air (using my stable braid rigging line of course!) from one tree to another, intersecting the structure. Then I went to the local rock climbing store and got set up for safety! Now if you fall you ***should*** be fine. Let's hope we never find out! The picture shows the over head line with the two leads hanging down. I use my camera phone for the pictures so the quality isn't the best - but you get the idea.

An even dozen!

Yes sir, yes sir - it's an even dozen! As the rows get higher the work gets slloooowwwer - hauling the tools up, down and around just takes time. We need 16 rows so we are down to the final 4 rows..... I hope to have them in by next weekend. It might be sooner if I can russel up some help. After the rows are done it is RPSL's and the RP.

10 rows and time for scaffolding!

We are now on row 10 and it was time for scaffolding. It is over 16 feet down on to the inside of the cabin - far enough that it might leave a scratch if you fall.

The scaffolding was fairly cheap to rent - $675 a month - and makes my wife and mom very happy!

Southern Yellow Pine I Believe....

Here is a view of the ends of the 4x10's. Man are these joists a thing of beauty. I can't wait to get them in the cabin.

All the way from 'Bama!

Tuesday night I received a call from the trucker that he had my load of 2x6 tounge and groove and 4x10 joists..... he arrived around 7pm and we got the last load off just after dark.

Though he will never read this - thanks for your help and sharing your passion for Christ. It was good to meet you.

The North American Tufted Bobkeip.....

A few weeks ago a good buddy of mine stopped by to help out - Bob Kiep. Doesn't his name sound like some small woodland bird.... "and now you see the black tufted Bobkiep in its natural habitat..."

Anyway - he was a great help as usual! Remember to report any sightings of the black tufted Bobkiep to your local DNR office!

Enter the Gas Man!

No Art Primeau doesn't need Bean-0... he has extensive experience in the oil and gas biz and know's why gas goes up instantly when someone burbs in TX but takes weeks to pass through a 50% drop in oil prices.

Even with the lecture on gasconmics Art was able to master the telehandler and swinging the hammer. No sissy blisters for him like the book worm got a few days earlier....

Cousin Tommy to the rescue!

My cuz Tommy came by for the day and we worked him silly.

He's a young buck who swung the hammer with the best of them! He promises to be back - we shall see, we shall see.....

Book worms can swing hammers!

Yes friends - this is indeed Jerold R. Jenkins - book publishing mogal - pounding away today on row 8 of our cabin. Jerry's delicate hands haven't seen anything worse than a paper cut for years - but after today he has a couple of real-life blisters to show off to his fellow book nerds!!!

Thanks Jerry -you're welcome anytime - and I might even let you drive the telehandler next time!

The H3R Top-Secret Plans!

Here is the plans to make your very own H3R. The only cost for this amazing time and labor savings device is 2 dozen of your very best homemade chocolate chip cookies!

Hummmm cookies!

Hard at work - my Dad - Herbert E. Heger

Scampering up the logs like a young mountain goat - driving the telehandler - pounding in rerod with a fury that leaves his son slumped in the corner - it's my Dad - he only knows one speed - full throttle!

I hate pounding down the rebar....

So I fabricated a plunger system that uses the power of the boom to drive the rebar into the logs.

And down it goes!

The boom pushes the plunger down - with not a single swing of the sledge hammer.....

The results!

The 24" rebar is now driven 22" into the logs - and pounding in the last 2" is a lot easier!

7 Rows!

As you can see we are making great progress - here you see the best telehander in NW Michigan - my lovely bride Diane - next to the wall. 7 down and 9 to go!

Lifting the logs the easy way....

We rented a telehander - basically a fork lift that goes up/down and in/out. We use a strap that is rated for 10,000 pounds to lift the 3,500 pound logs. Once the log is in place we use log dogs (sort of big staples) to hold the log in place.