Basement wall framing complete

The crew is making good progress and completed the basement walls today. It is really exciting and satisfying to begin walking around inside and getting a feel for the layout.

Progress!!

Apparently all we have to do is leave and things start happening. We got back from our first river trip and the basement slab had fortunately been poured on the one good weather day we've had in the last week. Our excavator backfilled the walls and septic system and began installing the water line out to where the well will be located. The framers got started on Monday and by this afternoon had a few walls up. It feels like we've finally moved into the next phase, which is a huge relief!

Water line stubbed out to go to the well.



Backfilled foundation.



The first wall.



Basement slab and framing crew.

Septic system complete

With all the rain, crappy weather, and mud, it's good to know that at least some progress was made. The septic system was completed yesterday and awaits inspection. Once it gets checked off, it can be covered.

On another note, Sara found a screamin deal on a Hearthstone stove in northern Idaho. We've really wanted one of these, but buying a new one is out of the question. This one looks fairly new, is in good condition, and the price is right! We'll post some pictures once we get it.

Poop tank and basement wall waterproofing

Still too wet to get a concrete truck in to pour the basement slab, but at least Jay was able to start working on the septic system. He got the tank in and plumbed to the house.

We finally had a one nice day today, but more rain is in the forecast tomorrow. We took advantage of the weather and installed Bituthene waterproofing membrane on the back basement wall. This stuff is like human flypaper, but luckily it wasn't too hot today and it remained fairly manageable. Once stuck to the wall, we hung plywood sheets to protect it during backfill

Septic System, and ... Flooding

Jay arrived with the materials for our septic system which he plans to begin installing this weekend. Luckily he made it in before the latest round of rain, which is causing rapid melting of snow in the mountains and flooding around Stanley. Iron Creek, which you cross on culverts on the way to our property, topped the road this afternoon.

What's going in that box?


The road across the culverts after some diversion got the water to drop.

Windows

We returned to Idaho after 5 days in Minnesota to more rain and mud...we didn't miss anything, still too muddy to get a concrete truck in to pour the basement slab. Meanwhile, our windows were delivered today which was a bit nerve wracking considering how rutted and potholed our road is. But they arrived unscathed, and our neighbor was nice enough to let us store them in his unfinished house.

We picked up 11 new, top-of-the-line Pella windows from a contractor in Ketchum for a screamin' deal. We ended up buying two more to match and spent almost as much on these as the 11 others.

We thought window delivery trucks had all kinds of padding inside...nope.


The big daddy...8-1/2' wide by 6' tall.


The stockpile.