20 yrs ago that place had a HUUUUUGE Barn just below on the next level down by the fields. It's 80 Acres My kids grew up playing around here and basketball in the loft of the barn. The house was a mess back then. When Ron bought this place 8 yrs ago, he and his significant others 4th home (1 in CA, 2 in Astoria OR right across the street from each other on the hill by the College, and this place) they were all in right off the bat. They were from L.A., very wealthy, no bullshit people, became like family in a very short amount of time, and very generous for those willing to do (work) what they wanted. Took awhile to convince them to let 2 of us only have the green light to kill Elk on the property. They weren't really tree huggers, but really close. 2 friends worked full time on this place for 2 yrs. The Home is all that was there at the beginning. Over the 8 yrs they had the place 5 of us did everything on the place. The fields and all the shenanigans that go along with that, built a two bay garage, a $5,000 dollar chicken coop
, a pole building/shop/with attached apartment, the entire deck, and everything and I mean everything regarding the Home.
Inside, outside, on top of, underneath, the whole gambit was for us to knock out. Some at our leisure whenever we had some spare time, some ring ring ring "hello" hey it's Ron I need/want NOW. He, they were on a time line. He was dying when we met and wasn't suppose to make it to Christmas the first year we met. They were in the Medical Billing Industry in Cali so they not only had bank, but they knew the system and treatment that gave you the best chance at longevity. Watching him go was difficult. I would take him to radiation and chemo appointments, all of us did, and it was brutal. Anyhow I see where I'm going already with this so I'll stop. Becoming War and Peace and it wasn't my intent. I'll keep it brief and answer your posts best I can.
vh20: You know how it is tearing apart a place that has old growth lumber/timbers in it. The places with square/box nails throughout the place. Ton of tongue n groove, and 1x throughout. Veneer? What's that? lol We saved every damn piece of original wood we could. The walls were stuffed with everything from paper to old toys. And Bats. 100's of Bats and guano. Good lord. It was very important to them that the wood stay natural and save every bit we could. We tore this place apart top to bottom. All hand sanded. No grinders at their insistence and cost. When we were finishing the floors it reminded me of Boot Camp. Swimming the Deck with socks on your hands and towels polishing and polishing.
Sir: Knowing my incredibly talented friends and know they can make anything they damn near want to, much like you, it was a feat for sure and something they didn't see coming until "Hey, let's chop this corner off and put a door out to the back deck right here". Not "Hey, what do you think about......." Didn't happen that way.
It was boxed in upstairs n downstairs and has more milled beams than I can remember. Wasn't my project, I'm not a carpenter. I'm a real good gopher, yard tard, hey ya need another beer kinda guy.
Ya, a grunt. I wish I had the pics of it being done. On my old phone that's long dead n gone. Lost so many pics that couldn't get moved from the ole flip up phone.
rlwilson: Yes it does. But it's framed/boxed top and bottom and has the aforementioned milled beams going through and the ends of the 'cradle'? all the way up. That corner isn't holding hardly anything anymore. It's hella stronger than it was before the chop chop.
You know how it is listening to a bunch of guys brainstorming original ideas. Then outta left field someone comes up with an idea, while not cost effective, brilliant. There are many unique features to this place. Inside and out. Like Bowling Alley Lanes for counter tops and bathroom basin tops.