April 2018 - Still a bit of snow

It has been a while since I have posted to this site.  Mostly because, although we have been at the lodge every other weekend (and some weekdays), we have not been working on any projects,  until now that is.  There is still snow at the lodge - mostly below the roof eaves and it managed to snow last week (probably the last gasp of winter).  Winter came late for us (in March) and put in a pretty nice punch of snow, followed by a pineapple express that melted most of what we had.

This last weekend, Jim put in some pretty hefty posts for a new deck off the screened in room.  It is kinda funny that he is building this, since the reason we have a screen room is because there are so many bugs up at the gap, and we never sat on our old deck without some kind of portable screening on it.  So we shall have to see how long this deck lasts "as is" without a cover (snow can be pretty crazy in some years) and screen siding.

I managed to get two tall cabinets out of a 1935 tudor house in Berkeley that we are going to install in two of the downstairs baths for use in holding towels.  For a long time. I have used baskets for the towels - but that seems not to be the best option - so we are going to "match" what we did in the upstairs bathrooms for additional storage.

Also - we continue to lose our wonderful cedar trees to the Sierra Beetle Blight, so Jim and I cut down another 5 trees, then cut them up for next years firewood.  In the back of the property, about 4 of the big cedars (that we dead) finally feel down - one is still leading into one of the big pine trees and will be cut up next weekend.

So, from now until June, I will be manning the fire pits with all of the debris from the tree cutting.  Nothing like a hot fire, a cold beer and a folding chair.

Another note - the school has still not be placed on sale, so we are thinking that there may have been some trouble with the original deed or title that prevents a sale - either that or the school district does not need the money or realized they made a poor decision in closing it.  And, our new neighbors (in the old Hyatt Mercantile) have decided that the winters were not what they were expecting and have decided to sell.  They have only owned their place for 2 years.  No price yet since they have to finish out a building they added to the property (at least close it in for the next owners).  I like the Hyatt building, but it is way too close to the rode, has NO parking in the winter (unless the new owners invest in a snow plow) and has too many buildings for the one acre (there are currently 3 buildings on site).  It is pretty old - was built between the Emigrant Gap Hotel (1870s) and our lodge (1925).  I am pretty sure the land was sold to Mr Hyatt by the Allen Family (maybe around 1918) since Mr Hyatt was a boarder at the Emigrant Gap hotel at that time.  So -  if you are looking for a 5 bedroom cabin, let me know and I will give you the price once it posted by a realtor.