Three Key Visits

In my last entry in January I promised to try to better in posting to the GreenShelters Blog. Well, this time I really mean it.

This past Monday, I visited the farm and met a surveyor and two personnel from NC Wildlife. The surveyor will be helping to provide a plan to analyse the approximately 70 acres for "best and highest use". This could be interesting since we are only 50 miles from the Raleigh (RDU) Airport but still have access to an 50,000 acre lake (Kerr Lake) and are surrounded by excellent hunting and fishing habitat.


The Wildlife people will be very helpful in integrating the "habitat" considerations into any proposed planned use.



On Friday, I plan to travel to the farm with a skilled draftsman that is expert in Google SketchUp. We plan to take detailed pictures and measurements in preparation for some serious modeling.



More later.

Catching Up

It has been almost a year since I posted last. Lots have happened. I was able to engage a part-time carpenter and he has made a huge difference. We have just about completed the cabin, placed a bridge over the creek on the way to Kerr Lake and have almost completed a storage barn..

The big effort now will be to try to "model" the completed cabin in Google Sketch Up.

While I expect this to be very challenging, I will try to do better in maintaining the Blog.

Visit by Tommy Butler

Yesterday Tommy Butler, a good friend from Wilmington, offered to go up to Little Wimbush with me and review the landscaping. He made some excellent suggestions as to preparing the fields for wild flowers, extending the pond and planting some fruit trees. He promised to come back in the Spring and supervise the effort..

We were in Vance County for a friend's birthday party so we had only limited time and did not break out the construction tools.

Continue to Work on the 'Library"

Continued to work on the Library/Wash Room off the back of the cabin.

• Put up siding (T-111)


• Put sheathing on the roof (3/4" OSB)


• Positioned outside entrance door.


• Began to cut doorway from the cabin into the Wash Room.

http://picasaweb.google.com/greenshelters1/2009_02_03_LittleWimbush#5298966442092105250

Worked on the 'Library' & Pond Trail.

Just got back from Little Wimbush where I worked on :

1. Designing and laying out the path over the dam that leads to Kerr Lake. (B4)
2. Securing the loft window. (A1)
3. Competeing the flooring and framing for the "Library". (A3)

See Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/greenshelters1/2009_01_30?authkey=ZUKfpXe_elM#

The "To Do" List to Complete the Small House

I discussed with my wife Carroll (it is her farm) the possibility of having a "Open House" in the Spring at Little Wimbush. Some of our friends have expressed interest in the Small House concept and I would love to get their feedback.

But, if this is to work, lots of stuff has to happen like:

1. Finish the front/back gable ends and loft paneling: hang the sliding windows, place the external sheathing; place the external log siding; install insulation; place the internal panaling.
2. Finish Roof: Install metal roofing; install rakes and lookouts;
3. Finish the "Library" (or Wash Room): hang ledger board; put up 2x4 framing; cut and hang rafters; place OSB roofing; select and frame windows and doors; stain and hang T-111; install insulation in both walls and roof; install metal roofing; install paneling; hang internal and external doors; place felt and flooring; install composting toilet; install shower; install wash bowl; install bookshelves.
4. Finish hanging doors: Hang front and side french doors.
5. Finish stove chimney: seal pipe roof opening; enclose stove pipe in loft; secure stove pipe with screws; replace/finish loft flooring.
6. Finish the Kitchen: Install kitchen sink; complete kitchen build-out; finish wall paneling; complete hanging shelving, cabinets and organize kitchen.
7. Finish Living/Bed Room: Build bunks/storage lockers; purchase futons; install flooring through out;
8. Finish Log Siding: Hang log siding on front and sides
9. Design/Install Wrap-around porch: Install foundation; install joists; put in decking; hang ledger boards for shed roof; cut/install rafters; put on sheathing and metal roofing; install railing and screening.
10. Complete "Grey Water System": Dig a dry well and plumb in kitchen and wash room.
11. Complete Water Supply: Research/drill well; Research/construct rainwater collection system;
12. Complete Solar Power System: Install solar energy to run XM Radio, CD Player, etc.

The above should complete the base cabin. There are number of other projects that have been started or are on the drawing boards:

1. Finish the Utility Tool Shed
2. Finish the Outhouse
3. Place a buoy on Kerr Lake to mark boat docking location.
4. Build a trail over the dam.
5. Extend the trail from the dam down to Kerr Lake
6. Clear the upper field of brush and trees.
7. Take all trash to the dump.
8. Clear and trim lower field
9. Till and plant the lower field with hay and flowers

Beyond the above, it would be great if we could:

1. Drain, dredge and re-stock the pond for fishing and swimming.
2. Build one more Small House (16x24 w/fire place, front porch and shed dormer) to test all that has been learned.
3. Build-out the docking area on the lake.
4. Add some toys like a small tractor, an UTV and a John Boat with a small motor.

Worked on the 'Library'

I spent yesterday and today finishing the flooring for the 'Library". The library will include a magazine rack and books PLUS a composting toilet, a propane shower and a wash basin. Went to Lowe's and purchased the framing (2x4), wall sheathing (T-111) and roof sheathing (OSB). I have already re-finished the internal door (taken from a old farm house) and back door from Lowe's.

A Lot Has Happened

A lot has happened since I last updated my blog. Lets see - where should I start?

• 2007 was spent building a small (8x12) cabin in Wilmington, NC using my skills learned in Maine.
• Also, during 2007, the Wimbush Farm was prepared for sale. It was sold in August 2008.
• A part of the Wimbush Farm ( Approx 67 acres) was retained (Little Wimbush) and plans ware prepared to build several small houses on the property near the pond.
• The small utility shed (7x8 w/wings) is almost completed. The guest cabin (12x20 w/'library") is under construction.
• I plan to visit Little Wimbush tomorrow and continue to work on the "library" - walls, rafters, roof.