sigh of relief

EUREKA!!!!!

We drilled our well yesterday...and it was a great success. The hole went 117ft with a static water level of 63 ft with a 70 gallon per minute yield. That is right, I said 70 gallons. not only is that enough water to open a water park, the water is so clean. When the well was blasted out, or developed under pressure the gravel discharge had no silt, sand or anything on it...meaning crystal clean.

CAP IT

Here is mike putting a cap on the casing and banding our $250 tag from the state board of ecology.

UDO CHECKING THEIR SET UP

FIRST CASING

THE SUPERVISORS

Andy, the dogs and I hung out all day to watch the entire process. It was so cool to see everything and learn how all this stuff works. Now, we are going to design a gravity feed system to supply the water to the desired areas. I want this sucker to work when the power goes out!

creeping along

PHASE I

Well, this is where we are at. We have a set of plans that are ready to be submitted for a building permit...thats right, we still dont have a building permit. We are going to build a 36 x 36 garage with a 900 sq. ft apartment up stairs, which if all goes well will become the offices of TIMBER WORKS LLC. We are not going to build our Timber Framed home until our house in California sells, if it ever does.

POOP TANK

Thats pretty official eh? The septic design has been submitted by the above company for approval by the county. You have to do this for your well and septic before you can submit for a building permit. That is if you are going to have water and a toilet....

PERKY!

That is one of three perk test holes we dug for the septic design folks to design our drain field. This cost $800.00 and we dug the holes. The county fee was $550. In this county you are aloud to install an approved septic system once every two years without a license...so I will be trying my hand at septic installation as well.

THIRSTY?

This is our beloved well site. We are using Arcadia Drilling because of their great reputation out here. Now, there has not been a drill in the ground yet, but I like these guys and feel good about it. I did all the site prep for the drilling rig and the secondary truck that will be on the site. This is supposed to occur next week. That is going to be the first BIG check we will have to write. Its do or die for us now, because after this check is cashed we will have nothing. A bit nerve wracking but I guess this is life. It would be much nicer if our home would sell.
In good news, We finished the garage remodel in Lake taps...it took a little longer than expected but its done. Rod and I are now about to take on our first official job as TIMBER WORKS LLC. Rod was approached about doing a pole barn for the Nature Conservancy real close to us down in littlerock, wa. This will be the big test, we will be milling the lumber, grading the land, pouring the concrete and raising the barn. The whole shooting match. Hollie started a new job today with the Washington State Department of Health. I dont know what her job is or how long it will last, but from the sounds of things the first day went well.
So thats is that and a ball of wax.

Rod & April Boe

Introducing...

The grand entrance at the reception. It all happened so quick. The ceremony was held in a nice old church just a stones throw away from the Inn that we stayed at and were the reception was held! We had to race back to beat the Bride and Groom.

Hollie, taking her job serious!

Hollie looked quite beautiful standing up there...I had trouble focusing on the wedding because of her! The words from the pastor were very profound and clearly layed out the commitment of the union, it was moving. Rod and April looked deep at each other again, moving.

Ah, The Atlantic

Hollie wanted to get as close as possible to the Sorters (whom are in Italy) and say hello. Check out their adventure. www.eurosorter.blogspot.com

That is no post card.

I actually took that picture. That sums Maine up. The North East is very similar to the North west. It was a really neat place to visit, I am sure Hollie and I will go back.

Cutting a rug

Beverlee was a terror on the dance floor. I think someone must have told her that it was a dance ' a ' thon Because she was out there all night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A TIMBER FRAME

we found so much Post and beam / timber frame construction from the 17 and 1800's it was really cool. This pic above is actually a new structure being built at the Structure institute in Woolwich, Maine. I took loads of pics and picked up a few good books on the art of timber framing. I am even considering going back there for an educational course!!!!!!!!

Well, we are back from Maine. We woke up at 3 am this morning and were in the air by 6 am. Jet Blue rocked, direct tv at each seat all the way back. (when I was not snoring)

harpswell, MAINE

FOREST FAIRY FRAMING

We are in Harpswell, Maine for Rod and Aprils wedding and so far it has been a great trip. Besides all the standard New England stereo types like lobster boats, hard working folks and the word "wicked" put in front of everything we found some other things "Maine" today. For example, we went for a hike to the highest point in Harpswell...about 160 ft above sea level, the forest that the trail went though was a fairy forest...and there were all sorts of little homes. So Rod, Bev, Hollie and I all contributed and built 4 more houses to add to the 100s of otheres...Hollies looked quite nice, but Rod gave his a hot tub!

CAPTAIN TOURISTA READY FOR ACTION

I was ready for action...I even put my camera case on my "UTILITY" belt! NERD ALERT! I think I need a cape.

HOLLIES HANDY WORK

Hollie was passing a lot of her travel time crocheting. This pic was taken in Sea Tac Airport...she got after the crafting early in the trip! Just like Beverlee and Grandma!

SWINGERS

This massive swing is on the grounds of our B&B which was founded in 1761! Its old, cool and there is an old post and beam barn right across the street. Very cool.

KICKING IT

Another fine piece of vacation equipment on the grounds of the B&B. We all took turns on this comfortable lounger.

HOT MAMA

Here is a pic of Hollie and the view of Casco Bay, right at our doorstep. We walked out to this little island when the tide was out and soaked up the view.

well that is part of day 1. The evening cannot be spoken about!

Its time to get dirty

HOLLIE ON THE SOUND

It is that time of the year again...its time to get dirty. ITS CYCLOCROSS SEASON!!! Its sad to say that my #1 team mate has suffered a setback to the start of her cross season. Hollies hip is so bad she has to pick up her leg to get in and out of the car. Good news is that she is going through a good course of physical therapy and being proactive to find a solution to get back to normal. It sucks being injured. It sucks watching and not being able to do anything. I have been there and I know how bad it is. Sorry babe. dont fret, there is always next time, next race, etc. we just have to get her better.

YES I PASSED UP SEVERAL BEERS

So this cross season, being our first in the North West, I am going to ride my brains out for Hollie. I already feel like I am behind, but I think hard work and motivation will payoff in the long run.
In RAD racing news, the boys took another cat 3 win today. Its just awesome to watch those guys stick it to the 3's.

sad,sick or glad

Well, I made my last (i think) trip down to California to pick up what was left of our home down there. Rod, hollies youngest brother, was nice enough to make the trip down there with my truck and a trailer so we could pick up the big things...the tractor, the couch, our wonderful bed and our space aged washer and dryer...oh and out little subaru! Upon leaving I did not know whether I should be sad, sick or glad. sad...a bit, that house was so cool and in such a great place with great neighbors. Sad about leaving some of my friends behind. The Loon Dawg will be greatly missed. He is like a big brother to me. Always screwing around and helping me out or just giving me heaps of shit. Sick...a bit, that house is still being paid for and it has not sold yet. Gulp, and the market down there looks like its in some rough waters. Glad...a bit, to be getting on with "it" whatever "it" is.
I have been wracking my brains lately as to what I am going to do...still planing on building the new house, just waiting for all the lackeys up here to get with the program...surveyors suck, draftsmen suck and dont get me started on the county! Lets just say its going to be along time before I am swinging a hammer...at least for myself! So, I am convinced I need to learn a trade. I have been looking into welding and I think I might take a course this fall at south sound community college. Its a big time commitment as the class is 5 days a week and 4 hours a day...
I am also having the time of my life working with the RAD racing team. The staff and kids are just the kind of people I need to be around to keep the juices flowing! We are taking some of the "A" team kids up to crystal mountain 8/15-18 for a little dirt camp. Tons of riding the knobby tire bikes and hanging out with sponsors...it should be a blast...I hope the kids dont kill me on the bike!
Actually I hope I will be able to ride by then. I cant fit my foot into any shoe right now or bend my ankle. I got attacked by hornets yesterday and stung several times. My leg is about as big as an Indian elephant, slightly smaller than the African elephant, but still too damn big to do anything. My elbow is in similar shape, big and swollen, i feel like popeye. I am so glad I did not get stung on the face!!!!!
anyway, enough of my non picture rant.

lake tapps

NICE DAYHollie Kickin' it Urban Cow Girl Style

We spent the day at Lake Tapps for Delaneys 5th birthday party. We all had a good time and the weather was great.

FLOATER!

We did a lot of floating around the lake. Nice water temp and nice air temp...we also got to check out the new Boe house at the lake...which i forgot to take some pics of. Next time