A break from the routine and a Superman complex. The exploits and realizations of thinking young when you are not.

1. My illusion of being Superman

2. 
 Back in 2003, after coming off a 2 year road trip where we
traversed the continental US with 2 teenagers, we decided
it was time to settle down…again. We had visited many
wonderful places; like New York City, Washington DC,
Dallas and Los Vegas, many Civil War battlefields,
numerous National and State Parks, Mexico, out of the
way places and dined in 4 star restaurants to greasy
spoon diners.
 We returned “home” and began a project that would
suffice for our next home and also for a foster home.
 These were the steps to reaching that goal…

3. 
We returned to Maine and settle for a small town in the
western foothills named Peru*. The 2 acres were situated on the
side of a step mountain on the edge of a long running valley.
This is a photo during the clearing for the log home.
• Many Maine towns are named after other countries and cities. Such as: Paris, Moscow, China, Norway,
Denmark, Sweden, Mexico, and Naples to name a few.
• See: http://thequibleycorner.blogspot.com/2008/05/foreign-cities-and-countries-of-maine.html

4. 
Let there be level ground.
Once the trees were felled, the brush removed and the area
was ready for leveling, it was decided that the right tool for the
job was needed. Big boys toys.

5. 
A sturdy foundation.
The land was finally leveled and we commenced to setting
the footing forms .

6. 
A winter project…
Having had a late start to the project, work commenced at
a bit slower and colder rate than I wanted.

7. 
The beginning of spring.
Spring finally arrived and the first level was framed in. It was
about this time when I began rethinking the “Superman”thing.

8. 
Up, up and away…
Moving and placing the 6’x12’ hemlock beams that would
support the second level was accomplished with a home
made pulley system and my Jeep. It still took time.

9. 
Level completed…
advance to next level…
The first level was enclosed during the spring and thoughts
formed on adding level 2.

10. 
Let there be water…
700’ deep and 15 gallons per minute.

11. 
Building the walls…
As this home would somewhat resemble a Virginia square
beam log home minus the hand hewn part, I settled on
using half dove tail corners. Step 1, cutting the lines.

12. 
Building the walls…
Step 2 was removing the excess wood to form the dove tails

13. 
Building the walls…
Finished dove tail. Many more to go…go.

14. 
Building the corners…

15. 
Adding walls…
The walls needed extra support until the ceiling beams tied it together.

16. 
Raising level 2
Some more home made lifting devices which consisted of upright 2x4, re-rod to
hold the beams as each side was lifted independently and 1 come-along.

17. 
Tying it together
Chainsaw carpentry at its finest.

18. 
Made it to level 3
Using the handy-dandy come-along, the trusses were raised.
The pail worked as a counter weight.

19. 
Domino Effect…
My worst nightmare was a high wind…

20. 
Up, up and Away…
The trusses up and secured, it was time to enclose the roof.

21. 
Waiting for rain…
And yes, it rained several times before this part was completed.

22. 
Dry at last…
Adding the final runs of tar paper before the metal roof went on.

23. 
Coming together…
Metal roof on, second story porch safe and this is where I shot a 16 penny nail to it’s
head into my thumb. For some reason, I used the framing hammer for a while before
taking up the nail gun again.

24. 
Enclosed but far from done
Lots of finish work and an additional workshop/deck.

25. 
Getting close…
Workshop and deck are now useable. The balcony is off the 3rd floor office. There
was an office on each gable end.

26. 
From the hilltop…
Back porch, deck, balcony and the wash hanging out to dry.

27. 
Winter again…
Warm and cozy and time to rest. For a little while anyway.

28. 
 1st level… Foyer, 2 bedrooms, family room, full bath
and utility room.
 2nd level…Great room (kitchen dining and living
room, full bath and 2 bedrooms.
 3rd level…Master bedroom, master bath, walk-in
closet, 140 sq. feet of storage, 2 offices and cathedral
ceilings.
 And my sentiments of Superman long forgotten…
 And a big thank you to my friend Randy for all the
help…a for snapping the nail out of my thumb for
me….
Stats

29. 
 Drop by and visit one of my websites for chuckles,
information and ramblings, stories, and lies from the
roads of life.
Ryeder.com
My present projects.