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We purchased a Woodmizer sawmill in 2001 to begin milling the pine logs we cut off our land for the barn. We used pine logs for the 2 layer siding and hemlock logs for the 2" thick floors on the second and third levels.
Over 15,000 board feet of pine and hemlock logs were processed for siding,roofing and second and thied floors.
The foundations were completed in the fall of 2001 and the erection of the frame was started in the summer of 2003. We purchased the post and beam frame from a local company and we erected it using one of our company cranes.
This is one of the workers from the post and beam company and our son Josh as they begin fitting the pieces together.
The complete frame was constructed like traditional barns have been for over 200 years. This entails some very unique joinery. Shown in this picture are the oak pegs that were used to join the major timbers together.
The basic frame and support timbers are now in place and the roof purlins are being installed.
The frame is set in 10 days and we are checking the cupola for fit.
The cupola is finished on the ground before being installed permanently. The copper roof is done, the eagle weathervane installed and the windows are painted.
The cupola is then attached to the top of the barn.
Nestled in its place 40' above the ground and accessed from the spiral staircase to the third level and then a ship's ladder into the cupola, this 8' x 8' cupola offers great views of the mountains and a comfortable, peaceful haven to read or watch the alpacas grazing in the field.
The wood for the sign was also harvested from our land and prepped for painting in our wood shop. The sign was installed by myself with the help of sons Mark and Josh and our neighbor Dario.
Finall..at last...our 40 x 50 barn is complete and the fencing is done and ready for our herd.
This is an aerial photograph that I took from our plane...Spring Pond Farm and the start of our alpaca business.
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