Critters

These ugly looking bugs are Long Horned Asian Beetles.  They are an invasive critter making their way into the United States in packing material from Asia (wood pallets and crates).  They have slowly worked their way to Missouri and native trees.   A few have bored out of the wood (once the tree is dead) and I've reported it to the Missouri Dept. of Conservation.  You can read more about them here http://mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/invasive-species/invasive-animal-management/asian-long-horned-beetle-control.

Lots of holes

 19 locust posts set in cement , in hand dug holes in solid clay - Hard work!   The holes are 24-30" deep.  I'll have enough clearance that if I want to move the cabin at a later time then all I have to do is cut support posts off at the floor joists and have a mover take it to where I want it - like if I build a big lake on the back side of the farm.

Gotta love free stuff

 Some friends gave me this little wood stove, it was missing a lid but they figured I'd find a way to make it work.  While cleaning out the ashes I found the lid. From what I hear on these little logwoods it's a good idea to burn them outside for awhile and seal the spots.  Sure don't want a cabin full of smoke.  The size of this one should be just about right for the size of the cabin I'm building.

Log Progress

 Out of 50 trees, we've got 125 4x8 ft long cabin logs - milled with a portable mill.  All sides are smooth.  The 2x4 boards are spaces between the logs to allow air flow.  These logs need to cure for 10 months and will lose about 30% of their weight.  Green they weighed 45 lbs a cubic foot and when dry should be around 30 lbs or so.

Help arrived...

Grandson Alex came to the farm for a visit.  He spent time with me moving logs.

Sawmill at work

 Really pleased with this little sawmill.  It was on backorder for the longest time and I was beginning to think I'd never get it.  It works.

Taking a break!  Temps were hovering around 100 all week.

Just what goes where???

Grandson Weston was on the farm for a visit.  Not sure what any of us were expecting when the box arrived.  There was quite a bit of head scratching going on while trying to put the sawmill together.  Parts in the wrong place, directions that didn't make sense....but we did it!

New Toy

Saw Mill in a box!

Black Locust for Foundation Posts

To say that its a little hot to be building a cabin is an understatement but there has been some work in the early morning hours.  These will be foundation posts.  We're using black locust harvested off the farm. My research kept bringing up sources that stated black locust can last 200 years.  Bonus!  I've got plenty of that on the farm.

 Using the "log wizard" makes short work of debarking the locust logs.

Some work you just have to get in there and get it done.  A little sore in the back after a morning of this.

Stacked and ready. 

Logs Ready

This load of logs are ready to be trimmed and cut to length for milling.  These are all yellow pine that I planted from 1969-1971.  Enjoying cooler than normal June temps and getting a bit of work done.

First log waiting

We may have to take a section of this first log and create a farm time line. 

First Log

I think this was in March when dad pulled the first log in.  The boys are excited to help with this project.

Farm

I was just a baby when dad bought this farm.  I'm not sure what year this pond was built but I remember it being built and wondering how quickly it would fill.  I was anxious to get to swim in it. I know that when I was in high school sometimes I'd drive the truck down to the far side, tie a rope to the door and float out to the middle on a raft.

Southwest view

Electric from the cabin can come off the line along the road.  Nice view to the southwest.  There will be a wrap around deck with a rail-bench.  Bedroom will be on the southwest back corner.

Tree of interest

This tree use to have a deer stand in it.  Dad says he forgot to remove it and the tree grew around the chain holding the stand.  This creates a weak spot at the V in the tree, he'll put some bands further up the tree to support the limb.  Hopefully it won't have to come down.

view to the east

The pond wraps around to the east and the cabin will face southeast.  Sunrise over the woods in the distance across the field.  Lots of turkey and deer come through the field for a drink at this pond.

Planning

The perfect spot for planning...and enjoying.  I think dad is sitting in the living room area.

Cool Spot

The shade from the trees on the west side of the pond is about 10 degrees cooler.  Its beautiful and very peaceful.

Logs

It's a start!  All of the logs for the cabin are coming from the woods on the farm.  Dad has really made progress.  Now he is waiting on his backordered saw mill.

Site Selected

After several years this seems to be the perfect spot for the cabin project.  This will be the view from the front porch looking over the pond in a southeast direction.