Trying to Beat the Rain

This morning has been clear and sunny — perfect fall weather.  However, the forecast is for a 60% chance of thunderstorms later today.  A cold front is moving in from Wisconsin.  With luck it won't reach here until mid-afternoon.  The crew arrived early and hoped to get in eight or more hours of work before the weather sours.

Yesterday afternoon Kyle, Dave and the rough carpenters — Jose, Sam, and Sean — set to work on the floor joists for the first floor, running many of these across the steel beam.  The joists are engineered products, not just wood, and should yield a very level floor.  However, installing them requires agility and balance not unlike a tight-rope walker's, since you have to walk above the basement void.  Not me!

Kyle and Sam consult on cutting lumber for the stairwell.

Kyle does a little "dance" atop the framed in stairwell wall.

Dave nails in a stud in the stairwell wall.

 If the weather cooperates, we might get some further work done on the garage.  R.J. has to come back and dig out the south side of the hole for the footings.  As it stands, we don't have enough hole, and Jim is anxious to move ahead on this part of the project.

I finally learned what the speed limit is on Kauffman.  Sean was stopped by a State Police officer when the crew was heading back to their rented cottage for lunch yesterday.  Although the road is not posted, the speed limit is 25 mph.  That will come as a surprise to most residents, who normally drive 40+ mph! •••