May 23
May and June are apparently the rainy season here in Alpine. There has been a drought for the past two years, but I must have brought some rain with me from Houston because it is raining here now. Once a week for the past three weeks–sometimes hail, sometimes thunder and lightning, but always about 30-45 minutes of fairly good rain. And in the last few days, the weather has definitely turned towards the cloudy/hazy/hot that often leads to thunderstorms. I had not heard the word “thunderhead” in a long time, but I am seeing them here. Also “rolling thunder.” This is great but the house is suffering a bit. Water is getting into the interior, even though precautions have been taken. The water evaporates pretty quickly, though, unlike Houston, so I am not too worried. Let’s talk more about this at the END of the rainy season! In the meantime, the flora is loving it!
technical
I am not afraid of heights but I do not like ladders. Especially the tall ones with only one little piece of metal per rung. Yikes! Steve spotted me as I made the climb up to the roof, always ready to grab me if I looked too shaky. I made it up and down without incident, but you should see him! He walks forward DOWN the ladder. I am impressed!
Once up there, Steve takes me on a tour to see the parapet and pony walls and to show me the progress being made with the ductwork and the electrical. I am so surprised at how BIG the roof is. My first view reminded me of an airport runway! Once all of this equipment is in place, rafters will be built and then I think we are ready for the roof itself.
Meanwhile, the stucco project is is underway down below. Most of the West end of the house has been insulated and decking installed. The house will be taller than I ever imagined.
Finally, we discussed the placement of ceiling lights and switches and fans. Talking about the interior and its layout is making me realize that this house will someday be a place where I roam around at night, turning on lights. Wonderful!!
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- This is Runway 3 Dark Sky Drive. You are clear for take-off!
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- Alert! People on runway!
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- Big ductwork for HVAC system
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- Notice the slope in the parapet wall. That is the slope of the eventual roof.
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- Flexible ductwork
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- Ductwork attached to register bringing warm or cool air into the room below.
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- Steve shows us the duct itself, the insulation around it, and the flexible material that protects it all.
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- Shiny register
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- Yes, it’s a big house with a big roof and a LOT of ductwork!
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- Electrical wiring is being added up here, too.
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- It looks vulnerable but this is how they do it!
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- More electrical wiring. Check out the copper tubing!
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- Now THIS seems a lot sturdier to me.
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- Waiting for something…
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- Lots of stuff will be hiding in our rafters
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- Another shiny box
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- The wooden structures are called “pony” walls, or knee walls.
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- They are quite permanent, as you can see.
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- Roof over garage. Not much heating and cooling going on in there…
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- So much progress in just a few days! And the view up here is GREAT!
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- Even though it is a hot and hazy day…
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- There are mountains beyond the mountains when you are up here.
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- Soffit vents allow air to flow throughout the house–pardon my fingers…
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- Kitchen. See the pencil lines on the floor? Trying to decide how long to make the cabinet here.
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- Too busy with the roof to make much headway with the kivas…
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- These are part of the chimney!
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- Insulation for the stucco project
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- Insulation in action!
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- Once insulation is in place, the wall is boarded over. Stucco will go all the way to the top of this wooden wall.
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- See how the parapet walls are being covered with decking? The house will be taller than you think!
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- Sitting Room. Front door on right. Kitchen on left.
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- West End Den is ready to go.
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- Progress on the West End Master Suite
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- Can’t wait to see the stucco walls underneath this ramada
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- Building the closet in the West End Master Suite.
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- Chimney for West End Den
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- West End Den kiva waits patiently
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- New tech and old tech
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- Remember all of the silver duct tape squares? They were waiting for this.
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- Even the short wall on the South side of the house is called a “pony” wall.
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- I am a little distracted…
personal
Bella and Niles and I had every intention of going for a hike on our traditional road, but the thunderheads started moving in and it was really hot and steamy. So we wimped out. Later that night, it rained hard for almost an hour.
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- Storm clouds are rolling in…
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- New growth on a cholla
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- I can see the bright green from far away
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- Bella loves this tree!
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- The house from pretty far down the road…
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- …and from closer as we head home from our hike.
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- Sky looks clear but the thunderheads are closing in behind us…
