Thursday, September 22nd 2005
A time of change!
Yes, the tires are taking a back seat. We did start on the back U (see the plan) but we'll be doing that part in our spare time. It's obvious it would be better to close both parts to forgo any problems with the melting snow next spring. The drainage is installed around the whole perimeter but if the back section is left uncovered it won't be of any use and we'll have to figure a way to temporarily divert all that water.
A friend lent us a conveyor belt that was very handy in berming the south-eastern side where the loader couldn't reach. He also lent us a cement mixer so we got started with the tire in-fill last week-end. Alain's family all came and a few friends joined us too. It was a mud party all right, rain included but it didn't stop us from completing the job. J-F prepared the forms to pour the walls of the planter that'll be in front of the kitchen sink and Sunday, we did the first two rows for the back U. As you can see in the picture, we're only doing part of it for now so that the backhoe has room to do the berm this time…
Weyerhaeuser completed the assembly plan for the roof this morning and the order will be placed tomorrow. I would like to mention their professionalism and courtesy, it's been a real pleasure to work with them. They're following our project with great enthusiasm and will be on site when we're ready to install everything. Yesterday afternoon, Alain and I placed the first bond beam on top of the tire walls. It's a matter of putting a plastic sheet under a 2X12 that is held with a 3 foot re-bar stuck into every other tire and bent over the wood piece. We then glue and nail another 2X12 upon which we'll build a small wall that will give us the slope for the roof. We're nearing our goal; we only have to place another beam where the "TrusJoist" will be attached.
We had to decide where to put the electrical outlets and switches that will be recessed into the tire walls since we have to leave some room by not applying any more mud in those cavities. I have to talk to the electrician so he can supervise it all and guide us through all the code requirements as for the number of outlets and such.
I'll leave you on that but I'll be back before it snows…

PS: Tara turns 4 months old tomorrow, she now weighs 40 lbs and as you can see... it's a dog's life out here!