Hello again, loyal minions. I have not forgotten you. Instead, I have been away on vacation in beautiful Colorado. Yes, we took lots of pictures and as soon as I find a minute of free time, I will post some.
I also owe you Bait Shop/Fishin' Shack/Party Porch pictures. (Bear in mind that a personal visit will be much more satisfying than the pictures.) To answer Seamhead's question: No, we do not have Wi-Fi or anything like it out where we live that would allow me to blog on the deck. I will see if I can compose a post off-line on Bethany's laptop and then come inside the house to upload it. That's a great idea, Rog.
Stay tuned, there's a lot of good stuff on the way...
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
Finished!
It is done. At long last. After much pain. After much sweat. After much (well, a little) bloodshed. I have finished building our new deck/party porch/bait shop/fishin' shack/bar/treehouse. Grant Barnes said it best, "I don't want this to sound the wrong way, but it turned out way better than I ever thought it would." I'll take that as a compliment.
I will post pictures sometime, however our camera isn't working right now. It has lost focus. The same cannot be said about me. I focused. Completing this project has consumed my every waking moment (as well as most of my dreams) for the past couple weeks. It was an obsession, and it was worth every minute of madness. Half of the first floor is covered and enclosed. It has a hand built bar, a foosball table, old fishing memorabilia, and family fishing pictures. The open-air half of the main level has seating for six at two tables (which will eventually be replaced with a new patio set.) The second floor is Alex's "treehouse." It is positioned in the canopy of trees that surround the deck, giving it a real treehouse feel. He loves it.
Don't take my word for it, though. Pick a night or a weekend to come visit so you can see for yourself. I sat out there the other evening, drinking a cold one, staring up at the stars and the big fake largemouth bass on the wall and thought to myself, "Holy crap! I can't believe I built this!" And then I laughed out loud in utter amazement that I, Travis Naughton, built something so totally kick-ass.
Can you guess where I'll be this evening?
I will post pictures sometime, however our camera isn't working right now. It has lost focus. The same cannot be said about me. I focused. Completing this project has consumed my every waking moment (as well as most of my dreams) for the past couple weeks. It was an obsession, and it was worth every minute of madness. Half of the first floor is covered and enclosed. It has a hand built bar, a foosball table, old fishing memorabilia, and family fishing pictures. The open-air half of the main level has seating for six at two tables (which will eventually be replaced with a new patio set.) The second floor is Alex's "treehouse." It is positioned in the canopy of trees that surround the deck, giving it a real treehouse feel. He loves it.
Don't take my word for it, though. Pick a night or a weekend to come visit so you can see for yourself. I sat out there the other evening, drinking a cold one, staring up at the stars and the big fake largemouth bass on the wall and thought to myself, "Holy crap! I can't believe I built this!" And then I laughed out loud in utter amazement that I, Travis Naughton, built something so totally kick-ass.
Can you guess where I'll be this evening?
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
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.)
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.)
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