Garage Posts

The next phase of our project has been to cut and position the three large posts that frame out the garage.  The bridge beam we used for these posts was larger than the one we used to frame out the front door so it was a bit more work.  First we had to cut them and then we had to move them but it got done.

Here's Rick cutting the first post to the right height.  The posts are too thick for one cut so we had to first make a cut all around with the circular saw then finish the cut with the reciprocating saw.  Worked pretty good!

First post being bolted into place.  Notice the lovely bracket we had made.

Here's the second post ready to be tipped into place. 

And getting bolted.

Two posts up!

Three posts up!!!

Morning light.

We are now ready for the beam that will close off the garage end.  We had really hoped we could use one of the big beams left from the bridge but when we started cutting into it we realized that there was way too much rot.  So beams have been ordered from the local lumber yard.  The should be here by the end of the week.

THEN we will be ready for the roof trusses!!!  With any luck, maybe, just maybe we will have a roof up by this time next month!

House in the morning light.

NOTE:  If any of you have the time and inclination and desire to help us raise the roof, please e-mail me.  We can use all the help we can get!  Thanks!!!

Back to it!

We've taken a little break from house building the last couple of weeks because it's spring and our garden had to get planted!  That's pretty much done so now it's back to it!

The garden.

The next thing that needed to be done was cut into the big bridge posts to see if the wood was still good enough for our uses.  These big pieces of wood (taken from an old bridge that used to be on the property next to us) are probably close to 100 years old and have been sitting around on our property for 8 or 9 years.

Rick making the first cut!

This wood is FABULOUS!!!!! 

These things are HEAVY but we managed to get them in the truck! 

These are the pieces that will become the posts for the garage (stay tuned.)

First post in!

Two posts in!  Time for lunch.

Lintel ready for placement. 

Lintel in place.  This took some doing!

Now to pretty it up.

First set of decorative brackets in place.

This is what you will see when you enter our front door.

Here's what it looks like from inside the house.

View of the Cerro Pedernal from the front door.

Needless to say we are very happy with the outcome of this project!  We have been thinking of using this wood in this manner for a number of years and it certainly surpassed my expectations!  

Today is our 18th wedding anniversary.  Every time I walk through our door I will remember how I spent it!