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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 our narrow mountain road with hairpin corners. The big rig also lacked a sturdy set of chains so it could not venture off pavement. 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.
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.
A long days journey begins... |
First run up the mountain Jeremy, Rich and 8,000 pounds of roofing tile |
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.
Rich negotiates hairpin turns and switchbacks while hauling 12,000 pounds of roofing tile |
Jeremy, our skillful and chilled CAT Grade All operator calls it a day |
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 Absaroka 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.
Wind swept knolls give way to tree studded foothills and waist deep snow |
My growing home is surrounded by spacious front, side and back yards |
Volcanic ash formed this rocky knob when the Yellowstone caldera exploded |
Emigrant Peak and Paradise Valley seen from my back yard in January of 2007 |
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.
Jesse Lasater and Dave Whitesitt from Bare's Stove and Spa carefully install the living room, wood burning, fireplace insert |
25 tons of Vande Hey Raleigh Roofing Tiles rest in the side yard |
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.
E-mail D.W. Burns Plumbing or call them at (406)333-4868
Todd Wegner from D.W. Burns Plumbing and Heating precisely cuts a PVC drain pipe |
Rich Spallone confers with Master Plumber Dave Burns and Tinner Rob Harris |
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.
Aaron puts the finishing touches on the living room fireplace chase |
Milgard windows adorn the Master bedroom north wall |
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.
Neil Kremer - GLA Master Plan Chairman |
GLA Treasurer Charlene Murphy with her husband Tim |
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.
Visit the
Insteon "smart" home web site by clicking on the underlined text.
Ty Molhzan of D.W. Burns Plumbing precisely cuts a drain pipe hole |
Master Tinner, Rob Harris, brings two decades of expertise to our HVAC installation |
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Page 14 A Pediment and Roof Arise |
Tim's Life Main Table of Contents |
Branford Bike Fire Story Table of Contents |
Page 16 Winter's Fury and a Road Trip |
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