Thanks for the nice comments, guys. It has taken us twelve years to get to this point and has been anything but easy. Our proposed pond project is lining up to be just as daunting, but it wouldn't be nearly as rewarding if it was easy.
I will work on some interior photos. Hopefully they will help you as you plan your next step.
As for the exterior finish. The Certainteed siding is supposed to have a twelve year finish guarantee. Even when you are right up on it you struggle to determine if it is wood or not. The Amish fellas were stunned. I will try to get a close-up photo.
Anyway, the Dryvit and other EIFS have been notorious for causing wood rot on frame structures. There are several causes, most of which are improper installation of flashing or improper maintenance that allows water to get behind the finish. Over masonry, it is still susceptible to woodpecker damage. For some reason, some woodpeckers will start to peck at the finish and just go to town.
It is funny how you 'flatlanders' say how much you like the woods, big lumber and the mountains and us 'mountain folk' wish we had some flat open areas with clay to put a pond.
