Well, we are kickin� the tires on the next big phase of development. I continue to follow our original master plan for developing our LNP project, but cash flow continues to interject attempts to thwart progress. To date, we have been able to manage and move forward. This next move will be the real test.
Allow me to review the big picture, from the point that it was only a thumbnail sketch. Many of you will recognize it; a popular beaten path of private property development. We purchased the raw land 4 years ago. The long driveway and pond were constructed during the first 2 years. The last 2 years were spent constructing the boat launch, dock and covered deck, 10 x 12 shed, smaller storage shed, and planting of shrubs, trees, forbes, and grasses.
The 10 x 12 shed was developed to be a tiny cabin. It will provide spartan accommodations for Donna-ski and I until we can build a larger structure. That is where we stand right now. We have re-kindled another fire in the dream-machine and would like to take our Pond Boss family along for the adventure. I am uncertain how and when this dream might really unfold into reality, or if it will remain embedded in slumber indefinitely, but the wheels are turnin� and we have closed our eyes in the hope that REM will ensue and provide the path we seek.
We developed the pondsite with the specific intention to provide an area as a building site. I envision it to be a 2-phase construction project. The 1st phase will be a garage with enough room to provide a small, but comfortable living quarters. This will be the last substantial structure built for the next 10+ years. It will provide a home-base for our visits and vacations to LNP. Over time, as we move closer to retirement, we will re-assess and consider the final structure, a house.
With all this in mind, we need to prepare and anticipate the substantial changes and further improvements that lay much further down the road. Things like the power source, the septic system, water well, and building type/size and site layout all must be done correctly now, during this Phase 1. As exciting as it is, my head is spinning�.but it�s a good kinda spin. Most of you guys already know that Bski and Dski aren�t happy unless they are up to their ears in sweat, toil, tools, and backaches. How apropos that this project would be conceived as a dream, cuz at the end of the day, sleep is all we can think of.
There will likely be some ancillary threads to support this thread. I will endeavor to keep them linked.
For instance, we have already started testing for the septic system. -
First, an aerial pic for a macro-view of the site. This is an aerial from a couple of years ago, taken when the pond was about 1/2 full. The building pad is the clearing in the S.E. corner of the pondsite.
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This short vid clip is a wintry walk down the end of the driveway and out onto the building site. Where the walk ends is the area where the proposed structure will likely reside. (this clip is a reprisal from another recent PB thread)
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In order to give you a tour thru the empty space that I call a mind's eye, it will be helpful for you to see the
look and appearance we are targeting for the entire project. Phase 2, much further down the road,
might look something like this. .
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All that being said, join me as I contemplate Phase 1 of the next step in our dream.
The specifications:
- 28' x 42' footprint
- 12" x 24" concrete trench footings with two #6 continuous rebar
- 8" x 48" concrete wall; top/wall varies 8" - 20" above existing sloped grade
- 4" min concrete slab; 6 x 6 x 6ga wire mesh
- 6" stick framed exterior walls
- 12/12 roof pitch; metal roof
- 2 overhead garage doors; plan shows 10' wide per door
- 17' wide x 10' deep framed balcony
I have been wrestling with learning how to use this design program that I picked up. It is far from professional architectural quality, but has surely helped in visualization. The following renderings will show the plan, as it exists right now.
NOTE: I am far from mastering this crazy design program, so there are facets that I have been unable to adjust without screwing up something else. For instance, the brick siding on the lower level ain't gonna happen. (ultimately, we hope to follow Victor's footsteps and use the stained cementitious product) The basic room layouts are fairly accurate and to scale.
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First Floor 
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Second Floor (attic space) 
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(standing in corner, next to TV)
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(standing in kitchen, next to refrig)
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(standing in kitchen, next to range)
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Exterior Elevations 
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So far, besides the chunk of change that building the pond cost
, this next step has racked up $225 for the septic soil inspection; affordable so far. Subsequent expenditures will likely be different. For us, it is a big, bold, and expensive step. We continue to perform due diligence in preparation, knowing full well that ambitions and bank account don't often converge smoothly. This plan can (and may) be re-tooled a few times along the way. We accept this as a reality, but also appreciate that dreaming out loud amongst friends continues to be a low-cost expression of goals and desires.
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I open the floor to questions, suggestions, and the occasional (and inevitable) pummeling for kookiness.
