But as I'd mentioned, we were going to hire a crane to move logs. It is supposed to arrive either Wednesday or Thursday, so hopefully that will go smoothly.
Oct. 28th 2008 - Second Half of Logs Delivered
So, the second half of the logs arrived just as Jeff had about finished stacking the first pile. This just about marks the halfway point in stacking the logs, which is exciting... But, as winter gets closer and a new huge pile of logs sits waiting to be stacked, it also feels like there is so much work ahead and so little time.
Oct 20th, 2008 - Fifth Course
Thanks to Don's help over the weekend, the fifth course was completed in a few days.
Roberto pounded in the rebar, amazing what such a little guy can do with that sledgehammer.
Every course up adds 14.5 or so inches in wall height and feels like a dramatic difference. Five courses up means seven more, almost halfway!
My parents came up again and my dad helped Jeff, while my mom babysat Brooke. Here, he is answering a question Jeff had asked about the chain hoist.
They also finished peeling the ridgepole, which proved to be an easy job. The log had dried out enough that the bark just came right off. This is the tree we had cut down from the property to grade for the parking area. We were lucky to have it, as its just the right size for the ridgepole. 
These both proved to be wise precautions because once Jeff trimmed a few branches and rolled it over, it started sliding down the hill with amazing speed. In a split second, it was far from its original resting place. Fortunately, the rope finally stopped it before it reached the road. If the car had been there I think Jeff might have had a heart attack. So, all was well, and it was pretty exciting to watch.
In other developments... We'd talked about the possibility of hiring a crane at some point, but hadn't gotten around to meeting with a crane operator to discuss what could be done. Jeff called a local crane operator with a 40 ton crane and discovered that this would be a good solution for moving and placing the ridgepole and other interior support poles. This can be done with the pulley system, but would be far from easy. We just hadn't been sure whether the crane could be used so far back from the road or if it would be cost effective.
Roberto pounded in the rebar, amazing what such a little guy can do with that sledgehammer.
Every course up adds 14.5 or so inches in wall height and feels like a dramatic difference. Five courses up means seven more, almost halfway!
My parents came up again and my dad helped Jeff, while my mom babysat Brooke. Here, he is answering a question Jeff had asked about the chain hoist.
They also finished peeling the ridgepole, which proved to be an easy job. The log had dried out enough that the bark just came right off. This is the tree we had cut down from the property to grade for the parking area. We were lucky to have it, as its just the right size for the ridgepole. It had been sitting in one place for a while now and Jeff wanted to roll it. I arrived as they were getting ready to do this. I parked in my usual place just below the log pile, but when I saw what they were about to do, I thought better of it and moved the car. My dad suggested we tie the log to this tree in case it wanted to slide when it rolled.
These both proved to be wise precautions because once Jeff trimmed a few branches and rolled it over, it started sliding down the hill with amazing speed. In a split second, it was far from its original resting place. Fortunately, the rope finally stopped it before it reached the road. If the car had been there I think Jeff might have had a heart attack. So, all was well, and it was pretty exciting to watch.
In other developments... We'd talked about the possibility of hiring a crane at some point, but hadn't gotten around to meeting with a crane operator to discuss what could be done. Jeff called a local crane operator with a 40 ton crane and discovered that this would be a good solution for moving and placing the ridgepole and other interior support poles. This can be done with the pulley system, but would be far from easy. We just hadn't been sure whether the crane could be used so far back from the road or if it would be cost effective.But, after meeting at the property, it looked like once he did some grading to make a level pad to work from, the crane could achieve what we needed. Its $125 an hour, but it would be worth it. We'd also be able to get him to move a good portion of the logs up to the site which would save time on stacking the rest of the courses.
So, next Monday the rest of the logs will be delivered and Tuesday or Wednesday the crane will come to do all the stuff I had described. Wow, that will be an exciting week!
Oct. 16th, 2008 - Fourth Course
The fourth course took longer than others only because we had to go out of town for a few days. Jeff had a client to meet in Santa Barbara, so Brooke and I got to come along for a little getaway. We love Santa Barbara and had a nice time. We were also able to pick up some more scaffolding in LA on the way home.
The other task that had to be done before more logs could be stacked was raising the chain hoists, which you see Jeff doing below. It scares me a bit to see him up there and he doesn't like it much either, but he uses his climbing harness for extra safety.
So, it wasn't till late in the week that Jeff had logs pulled up and could start stacking the fourth course.
Saturday morning, October 11th, we had our first snowfall of the season. Yikes, lots more logs to stack... hopefully the winter is kind to us. But, despite highs not making it out of the 40's that day, the sunshine warmed things up and it didn't slow Jeff down. The biggest worry if we are still stacking logs in the snow is that they will slide too easy and there one might accidentally slide down the hill. Now, when they reach the top of the hill they pretty much stay put in the loose dirt. So yes, we are of course doing everything possible to finish stacking logs asap.
Below, you see Jeff shaving a little off one of the logs so they lay together a little tighter, with less gaps. He spends a bit of extra time once each log is stacked, rolling it and adjusting it to minimize gaps, but they don't have to be perfect, that's what chinking is for. Its also important to make sure the overall level is even. He uses a laser level to check that and so far so good.
So, its pull logs up the hill, stack them, adjust, pin in place, drill holes, and then pound rebar every 18 inches. Each step is time consuming, but one course a week is the goal and if we can keep that pace, we'll be ready to start on the roof around Thanksgiving.
So, it wasn't till late in the week that Jeff had logs pulled up and could start stacking the fourth course.
Saturday morning, October 11th, we had our first snowfall of the season. Yikes, lots more logs to stack... hopefully the winter is kind to us. But, despite highs not making it out of the 40's that day, the sunshine warmed things up and it didn't slow Jeff down. The biggest worry if we are still stacking logs in the snow is that they will slide too easy and there one might accidentally slide down the hill. Now, when they reach the top of the hill they pretty much stay put in the loose dirt. So yes, we are of course doing everything possible to finish stacking logs asap.
Below, you see Jeff shaving a little off one of the logs so they lay together a little tighter, with less gaps. He spends a bit of extra time once each log is stacked, rolling it and adjusting it to minimize gaps, but they don't have to be perfect, that's what chinking is for. Its also important to make sure the overall level is even. He uses a laser level to check that and so far so good.
Pounding rebar to hold the ends in place, the laborer will come and do the rest.
So, its pull logs up the hill, stack them, adjust, pin in place, drill holes, and then pound rebar every 18 inches. Each step is time consuming, but one course a week is the goal and if we can keep that pace, we'll be ready to start on the roof around Thanksgiving.
Oct. 5th, 2008 - Third Course
After several days of prep, the third course went up without too many complications.
My parents were in town for a few days and my dad Scott, who had built several log homes in Oregon many years ago, was a big help. He helped Jeff stack two logs and soon we were well on our way to having the third course completed. 
They eventually got around these issues and got the log into place.
My mom Colleen with Brooke, watching from the picnic table. My parents had brought this table up for us, my mom stained it and even dug out the pad where it sits. It is definitely a much needed resting and lunch spot.
Our buddy Mike Christie picked up this scaffolding and drove it up over the weekend as well, which we really appreciate.
My parents were in town for a few days and my dad Scott, who had built several log homes in Oregon many years ago, was a big help. He helped Jeff stack two logs and soon we were well on our way to having the third course completed. This front log did cause some trouble when it wouldn't slide over the overdangle as the others had. They positioned a board for it to slide over, but the board cracked. Then the chain hoist jammed up.
They eventually got around these issues and got the log into place.
My mom Colleen with Brooke, watching from the picnic table. My parents had brought this table up for us, my mom stained it and even dug out the pad where it sits. It is definitely a much needed resting and lunch spot.Jeff also hired a laboror to come help with pounding rebar, which was a good idea. The laboror did a good job and it allowed Jeff to work on other things and save his strength.
Jeff finished up the rest of the third course by the end of the weekend.
Finally starting to look like a log home!
Our buddy Mike Christie picked up this scaffolding and drove it up over the weekend as well, which we really appreciate.
So, with the scaffolding we are ready reach new heights. Its time to move the chain hoists higher and then its on the fourth course.
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