(another) Eastern Washington little building started

[rniles]

Yonderosa: Do I have it correctly that during your build you had two inspections ...a framing and then a final inspection? Sorry if I'm wrong and I missed an existing post.

[Yonderosa]

Miles,  All of the building inspections were done in two visits.  Foundation, framing, sheer...  on through to final.  Planning and the health depts had separate inspections and also required permits and money.  If I recall correctly I wrote checks to at least four different government agencies and did about a day's worth of paperwork.  They were helpful in getting me most of what I wanted.

[rniles]

If you don't mind me asking, what did the planning and the health depts have need to inspect?

[Yonderosa]

verify zoning conformance, legal access, on site sanitation ... etc.  Got to make sure the revenue stream is in order which reminds me, the dept of revenue required some money too and some signage.  A lot of hands come out when you want to do anything on "your" property.  I try to  when I open my wallet - gets tougher to do when times are lean.  Keeps the JBT's from kicking in my door though 

[rniles]

Wow ...I can't even imagine why DOR wanted their fingers in the pot. But wow.

[Yonderosa]

Wow ...I can't even imagine why DOR wanted their fingers in the pot. But wow.

Improvements to raw land = change in tax classification.

[Yonderosa]

We bugged out for an extended weekend for some much needed R&R.  Didn't do much to the cabin though.  Did a little exploring.  Spring is showing some signs of its arrival and most of the snow is gone. 


The beauty of this area never ceases to amaze me.  Sure feels good on my eyes.  I think this view is looking out toward SkagitDrifter's way.  The canyon here - lower right- came pretty close to being as famous as the Little Big Horn but the advance party spotted the Indians before the main force of 160 men entered the canyon.  The Indians had to attack early, killed three and drove the rest down to the river.

Spotted lots of Grouse this trip.  Found several drumming logs.

I hope that bodes well for next September! 


We did get some snow but it didn't stick around.  The hill side did get dusted a few times about 500 feet above us. 

[rniles]

The pictures have me aching for the mountains. Nice!

[SkagitDrifter]

Nice!
Hope you had a great winter Yonderosa.
Can't wait to get back over there myself.

[Yonderosa]

SkagitDrifter: Thanks.  Hope your plans include a trip over to the good side of the hill and that fuel prices don't cut into that.

Tough Winter this year.  Weather really sucked and cut into productivity.  Luckily those projects didn't disappear, just postponed.  Starting to see more guys in the building trades go under.  The first wave cleaned out a bunch but I'm seeing some long established guys hang it up.  I'm doing stuff I only did in the past out of necessity.  As recently as a year ago I wouldn't even consider doing a foundation - it was hard dirty work when I was half this old - now it sucks even worse, but it's a paying job even though the wages have dropped back to what I was making 10 and 20 years ago.  Sad part is, I'm one of the lucky ones.  

I'm hoping to take another trip over soon.  Looks like the North Cascades HWY will be closed for a while more.  Adds about 40 miles or so to my trip going Stevens Pass.  Those extra miles are starting to hurt a bit more at the pump.  Worth every cent to go though.



The new pup is settling in nice.  Shows some good bird instincts too.

[Yonderosa]

2011 went by like a flash.  Didn't get as much time over at the Yonderosa as I wanted but enjoyed every second I did manage to be there.  I'm missing it something fierce and doing what I can to tide me over until the next visit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFnVpPSia8U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg_dvjGOJNk&context=C36fd7a3ADOEgsToPDskLaUj0MZxKikhLH9RyiojAv

A slideshow of some of the 2011 highlights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I12OIx2Tdb8&context=C33ddcc3ADOEgsToPDskJBIF0KLTGZueXo75sYhzil

[rick91351]

Thanks for sharing and thanks for sharing...... 

Been wondering what happened to you!  I have not seen any posts or comments for quite a while from you.     

[Pine Cone]

Nice update Mo!

Looks like you've made it to the "Relax and Enjoy It" phase.

[Yonderosa]

Looks like you've made it to the "Relax and Enjoy It" phase.

Last year that was the case somewhat reluctantly - simply didn't have the time, which in this economy is a good thing.  This year I aspire to accomplish more and spend more time there.

Did you get much snow out your way?

[waggin]

Pretty slideshow...and I love the "chocodiles!"

[Sassy]

Nice little videos - love the song on the last one 

[Yonderosa]

Nice little videos - love the song on the last one 

It made my Mom cry... in a good way.

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and inspiration.

[Redoverfarm]

Looking real nice.  Great Video's.

[Pine Cone]

Last year that was the case somewhat reluctantly - simply didn't have the time, which in this economy is a good thing.  This year I aspire to accomplish more and spend more time there.

Did you get much snow out your way?

Max snow here was about 6", but it has all melted.  I lived with snow for enough years in the mountains of California that I am happy to only  have a few days worth now.

I'll have to try and make something like your video for my build.  What software did you use to put it all together?

[Yonderosa]

I just used Windows movie maker and then added the music from Youtube's audio library. 

[Yonderosa]

Just back from our first visit of 2012.  When we arrived it looked as if Winter was on the retreat.  The snow was melting and there were patches of bare ground.  I took advantage of that to test some gear and do some scouting. 


MSR Evo snowshoes worked great.  I removed the tails for the first two days to get around on the crusty snow without slipping or post-holing.  SAKO you need to get you some.. 


I spent a majority of the daylight hours on these.

I did not see a lot of wildlife sign.  I suspect most of the Deer are still at lower elevations though I did see a few older Moose tracks and Coyote too.  The only critters I saw were Grouse and Snowshoe Hare (solid white phase) their numbers looked good.  The Grouse we're mostly in the same thick cover they were last fall during hunting season.


Fresh Bunny Tracks.  In their White suits they are impossible to see until they move.

If it wasn't for Piper I'd probably walked right by without seeing them.


On the third day we got 8" of new snow and plenty of wind to go along with it.  It was a good test of my gear.



I was glad to have a place to get back to for shelter each night.

The dogs liked it too.

As always we were sad to leave.


Can't wait to get back!

[henderson]

Nice little cabin. You don't have the artist and title to the songs you used on your youtube videos by any chance?

[Yonderosa]

Dreaming Of A Little Cabin by the Isaacs

Vanishing Breed by Michael Martin Murphey

[curlewdave]

Enjoyed your videos, reminding me of our place over there just south of Curlew up on Empire Creek.  If you ever get in the neighborhood and want to wander another pretty area  I'll give you directions to get to the property and wander around...It's about 160 acres and borders timber company and state land, so no fear of imposing on others...  Due to my wife's health we don't have the chance to get there very often, but it's still a special place.  Many of the photos on our screensaver are of the place, just to remind us of its beauty.

[waggin]

Beautiful pictures!  Looks like it was a nice trip to the cabin with a little bit of snow and a little bit of sun.  I have the older MSR Denali snowshoes with tails (that I hardly ever need with the West slope Cascade concrete) and love them.  Picked up a pair of the Denali Ascents with the heel lifts on Craigslist last summer too.  Good to hear you're enjoying yours.