Jesus was a carpenter

"Where has Travis been? Why hasn't he been blogging? Is working 34 hours a week too much for poor, lazy Travis?" Hold it right there! I have been very busy with a project that when completed will rival the pyramids and the Great Wall in scope and magnificence.

For years I have wanted to build a clubhouse for Alex, a bar for myself, and a covered deck suitable for entertaining. After careful planning I have combined all three. I am currently building a 16'x12' deck. Half will be covered and sided with a rustic bar and room for my new foosball table. The roof of this bar area will double as a clubhouse for Alex with a railing all the way around to prevent "flying" experiments. In effect, I am building a two-story party porch. There is even room for a patio furniture set on the "open-air" half of the deck as well. It will all be decorated in an " old bait shop" theme complete with family fishing pictures, old fishing tackle, and antique fishing signs. Phase two of the development will include a small fish pond located on the east side of the deck. The project is located in the middle "island" of our circle drive, nicely nestled in a bunch of trees which help camoflauge the rather large, yet rustic structure.

I have to thank Grant Barnes for his help in getting the corner posts and floor joists set. Also, Alex has been a big help- most of the time. Mostly, I'd like to thank my wife for greenlighting the budget for this project. I may not be a carpenter, but like any contractor, I am over budget and behind schedule. So far, the first level is almost done complete with railings and stairs. I hope to finish the rest this week.

I will post pictures as soon as I am done. Then, I invite everyone to come share a beer and some fish stories on the porch. (No nit-picking my handiwork, please. Unless you bring beer.)