Branford Bike: Teamwork, Bare's Stove and Spa, D W Burns Plumbing and Heating, Arrowhead Electric, Glastonbury Landowner's Association, GLA, Montana, Randy Randall, Todd Wegner, Dave Burns, Emigrant, MT

January 22nd, 2007
On a bitter cold and windy day 50,000 pounds of roofing tiles arrived at the base of our mountain. The 48 foot, extra long trailer was too big to negotiate the narrow, hairpin corners and lacked a sturdy set of chains so it could not even leave the paved road. Rich Spallone, a builder who often goes above and beyond, sized up the situation and immediately took charge. He called a buddy who sent Jeremy and a CAT Grade All forklift to unload the main trailer. Then Rich and Chuck chained up all four wheels on his truck and attached a 6,000 pound, 26 foot construction trailer.

A long days journey begins...
Our Rivera style, fine roofing tiles came from Vande Hey Raleigh.

Visit the Vande Hey Raleigh site at vrmtile.com/ by clicking on the underlined text.

Almost time for our cross country tile haulers to go home.

Despite the bone chilling cold and 50 mile an hour winds, Jeremy guided his Cat Grade All as deftly as Michael Jordan shoots hoops. Within an hour the tile was neatly stacked in the parking area off route 89 and our cross country drivers were headed back home to their families in Minnesota and North Carolina. All afternoon and into the early evening we loaded skids of roofing tile on to Rich's trailer and ferried it up the winding and snow packed, gravel mountain road. Bone cold, tired and hungry we carefully unloaded the last 4,000 pound pallets as a million stars rose in the clear night sky.

January 25th, 2007
A bright, warm and beautiful day. Previous fierce winter winds and more recent, above freezing temperatures have swept the grassy mountain foothills bare. A little past noon I step off Everett Johnston's back porch and head towards the nearby Gallatin peaks. Slowly I climb the rock strewn and moderately steep knolls. Occasionally I stop, catch my breath and admire the sublime scenery. The length and breadth of Paradise valley spreads to the east until it abuts Emigrant Peak and the Absoraka mountains. Just to the west the craggy peaks of the Gallatin range loom above the horizon. A bald eagle skims the hill above me. Mule deer and elk tracks crisscross the high mountain meadows behind me.

The Gallatin Mountains loom majestically in my back yard.

Everett Johnston's high mountain cabin and my temporary home.

Last September, my neighbor Everett Johnston graciously offered his mountain cabin for my use until my new home was completed. Rich Spallone and his crew carefully constructed Everett's warm and cozy cabin just about a year before the devastating Big Creek forest fire roared through. Everett lost his garage which Rich quickly rebuilt. Unfortunately many of the trees were killed but the view is more expansive than ever. If you would like to purchase this beautiful high mountain home e-mail Les Mathson or call him at (406)223-5698. Or visit his web site at www.thelandbrokers.net .

January 29th, 2007
Jesse Lasater and Dave Whitesitt from
Bare's Stove and Spa carefully install the living room, wood burning, fireplace insert.

Windows, a pediment and fresh fallen snow adorn the garage.

January 31st, 2007
Aaron and Justin are busy putting the finishing touches on their months long task of framing. They started with a concrete lined basement and meticulously built two floors, a roof and a full garage. They will be back in two to three weeks to install the tile roofing, build porticos, balconies and finally a greenhouse. Now that all the rooms are framed, the plumbers, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) crew and electricians can begin to turn a carefully composed, collection of timbers into a warm, cozy and comfortable house.

Rich Spallone confers with Master Plumber Dave Burns and Master Tinner Rob Harris.
E-mail D.W. Burns Plumbing or call them at (406)333-4868

The temperature inside the house is a frosty 5 degrees above zero Fahrenheit. An electric heater warms the concrete basement to a balmy 35 degrees. Rich carefully guides each group of sub-contractors through the house and explains what needs to be accomplished. It is critical that each team work in perfect coordination with the other teams. Drain pipes cannot block heating and cooling ducts. Electrical wiring must steer clear of plumbing or heating pipes while providing needed power to fixtures. Everyone takes notes and places marks on floor plans as we slowly move from room to room in the frosty cold air. More than a few toes are numb when we reach the last room on the top floor. Everyone is marching in step though and understands what needs to be done to efficiently turn raw timbers into a warm, cozy and well lighted house.

Rich discusses wiring with Jake Nelson of Arrowhead Electric.
E-mail Jake Nelson at Arrowhead Electric or
call him at (406)333-4166

Keeping busy in my spare time...

February 3rd, 2007
Last November Rich and I were elected to the Glastonbury Landowner's Association (GLA) Board of Directors. We co-chair the Project Review committee which oversees well drilling, home building and sanitation issues. Rich also co-chairs the Roads committee which is responsible for road maintenance and plowing. We work with 10 other volunteer directors who give graciously of their time and expertise.
On February 3rd several directors and friends gathered at Neil Kremer's guest cabin. We prepared a community wide mailing for an upcoming vote on our recently completed Master Plan.

Visit the Glastonbury Landowner's web site by clicking on the underlined text.

The house hummed with activity as the week wore on. Jake and his crew carefully placed the electrical outlet and switch boxes while the plumbing team from D.W. Burns artfully wove PVC drain pipes through joists, floors and studs. Master Tinner Rob Harris experimented with three different furnace positions before he found the perfect place. His team meticulously positioned ducts between joists and in hidden hallway ceilings. I collaborated with Jake and Pat to design a cutting edge and reasonably priced Insteon "smart" electrical system. Every switch and outlet is connected to each other via a wired and wireless network. Computer software and strategically placed keypad switches can control any switch, light or appliance in the house, garage or greenhouse.

Jake and Pat review basement wiring plans.

Visit the Insteon "smart" home web site by clicking on the underlined text.