Down to Solid Ground

We finally got the foundation done, since we weren't sure how it was going to happen the best path seemed to be patience. We wanted something simple and not too resource intensive. Rob Roy gave us some more creosoted 10x12s from the old Matapeake Ferry docks. The next step was to somehow have the rubble trench rise up to the beams. We got the house in the best configuration on blocks, the floor was never going to be level since it was built on a slanted surface so plumbing doors and window was the way to go. The house was still way up on blocks but at least we had a reference to measure down from all the way around. Then the beams were hoisted up and tied in place over their ultimate resting places as a combination of fast setting concrete and filler such as old bricks and pieces of broken concrete were placed in rough forms. The beams were then lowered and jiggled into place in the wet cement. After a day and a half of setting time the mix was hard enough. All went well, down jacking the house proved to be tricky, especially since two of the high lift jacks were acting up.They were the new ones, the old ones were perfect. Guess they don't make 'em like they used to. We had to use all of our tricks to get the house close enough to call it good. Then came disassembly of the support structures and threaded rods, installation of doors and window and voila. I am going home for a month or so and will take up the project upon my return so stay tuned!

Roof is On

Today was a hot, sunny day. Perfect for putting the roof panels on. With help from Sam we got the four panels up and joined well enough for tomorrow's predicted rain.

Progress Update

Today was one of those glory work days. Added the windows to the healing space and with the help of Shawn and Sam we put the trusses in place and even got one roof panel up. The bales went into the walls over the weekend . Pretty darn quick when everything is ready and there isn't any notching to do. We seem to have a several day window of good weather so tomorrow we'll finish with the roof.

Video of the Move

New Digs or "All over but the Shouting"

Yesterday we jacked the building up and blocked it to remove the trailer. It took a fair amount of jockeying to get the trailer back through the soft ground. Fortunately we had the Pole Truck, a 1958 Ford truck that someone installed a boom and winch on. It is ugly but inside its heart is pure gold. We set up a snatch block on a stump behind the new site and pulled the works back into place. With a little persuasion we got the building situated directly over the previously constructed rubble trench foundation. A quick tarp job and "Bob's your uncle".

Apothecary of the Move

Bone tired
Tire
Snaking
Outside like wisdom master
Inside strong like bear
grrr
Venerable tire

As Good as it Gets

The move went off very smoothly this am except for a no-show by the inspection cops. The crane crew was there before 5:30 the crane shortly after. As you can see in the photos it was a very big crane this time. We scrambled to prepare the trailer when it finally got screened and released, the placing of the house was impeccable, we cinched it down and with the help of our friend Luis Garabay made it to the edge of DC where he left us and we crossed into Maryland and proceeded with no problems to Sam and Kappy's house. The road in was still muddy from Sunday's snow but today was actually in the 70s if you can believe it so things were drying out fast. We jiggled and joggled and got the house within 10 feet of perfect and left if for tomorrow. A couple of Yuenglings and some deserved rest. Yay!!!!!!!! By the way, this crane had a scale and the weight of the the building , deck and tackle was 7.5 tons.

New Date March 7 for ecohouse move

breathwork studio March 2 '09
After last week's practice run we are ready to do it for real now. A one hundred ton crane will be there, hopefully with a way to measure the weight of the building. I haven't been able to get solid figures on weight for a strawbale structure. Chris Magwood has weighed plastered walls and we based our guess on his information. Still there is some finger crossing involved. The ground is damp and snowy in places after the big storm last Sunday. Thursday and Friday should help dry things out. Here is a photo of the breathwork studio. The ecohouse will placed just to the left of it and then connected with an entry area.