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August 24, 2000
The family arrived yesterday--things have come to a temporary standstill,  but we should be able to get back to work to some degree this weekend--plus now we have Extra Hands!
August 29 - 30, 2000
Yesterday was a beautiful day, but it seemed we couldn't get anything accomplished -- We were one 2 X 6 short, couldn't find the right drill bit,
just the sort of day when not much happened.  Finally, half an hour before
closing, I rushed into town to pick up another 2 X 6 and drill bits so we wouldn't waste any time today. We got there ten minutes before closing. I picked up a few joist hangers, three new drill bits and one of the guys
threw a 2 X 6 in the back of the trailer. Unfortunately, it wasn't tied down, and when we stopped at the post office, it wasn't there.
Treated 12 foot 2 X 6 costs $8.10  each, and I hated the idea of losing it, and having to make another time-consuming trip back into town in
the morning. So, we turned around and retraced our steps. I had a feeling we wouldn't be finding it, so I was driving faster than normal, and, well, got a ticket. I was too chagrined to even
consider arguing with the very polite policeman--and how could I possibly explain the situation in a way that wouldn't just make matters worse? By this time, I hesitate to estimate how much that 2 X 6 cost.
Today we made another trip back to the lumber yard, and I got TWO 2 X 6's, just in case, tied them down, and made it home with both.
Then things started to happen. We fastened an additional foundation board to two of the trees, using a 2 X 6 and stationary lag bolts, held out from the trees by a section of 2 inch pipe. (See illustration.) This serves
two purposes--allows the tree to grow around the pipe and not have to push against the whole side of the 2 X 6, and secondly, it allows the 2 X 6 to sit perpendicular to
the ground, rather than pressed against the side of the leaning tree trunk.
We used more 2 X 6 lumber and cedar logs upright on concrete deck pads to
fashion a foundation for the stairs. We attached the top set of  stair stringers--I highly
recommend using special stringer joists--a few dollars apiece, but lots easier to do. The stair landing--4 feet by 5 feet--was lifted onto the
foundation--I couldn't quite lift my end--too heavy, so I used a 2 X 6 board, placed underneath, and levered it up onto the foundation, about 5 feet high, while Jerry, taller
and much stronger than I, simply lifted his end.
The most difficult problem was attaching the stringers, which at first seemed to me to
be different lengths. I insisted on taking them down and placing them on top of each other for measurement--and indeed, all were the same. Yet when we got the outside two stringers hung from the tree
house platform, one appeared four inches shorter than the other! Then I thought maybe the problem was the blocks we had toed in between the joists, and were using to fasten the top of the stringers, but they were all
true. We finally figured out--or Jerry did--that the stair foundation wasn't square. We had more of a
parallelogram!
The solution--we tied a rope around the concrete deck pad holding one of the cedar posts and dragged it a little, then retied around the other post and
dragged it, until we had the posts and pads into  position and the stringer
snugged up against the edge of the deck.
It was a tiring day but very satisfying.
It was a rough day for the beaver family. Dandy was let outside to join us, and
disappeared immediately into the woods. Some time later she leaped up onto the bank from the river, and I laughed because I hadn't expected her from that direction.
Then I noticed she was carrying a small animal in her mouth--it  appeared to be an upside down beaver
kit--held by his small broad tail, and all four legs out at 90 degrees from the body. Jerry yelled at Dandy, "drop it," and startled her enough that she did. I grabbed her and took her back to the house.
Jerry went to look for the beaver kit, but couldn't find it! We hope it was okay and just scuttled off to rejoin its family.
Here it is-- recognize the hairpin bend in the river, -- there we be!
August 31, 2000
We're very lucky to have this beautiful land, and the treehouse gives me an unobtrusive way to enjoy it. Rain! It rained 2 inches last night and it's
drizzling off and on today. Jerry and I got a third cedar post attached to the stair platform and seated in it's concrete pad. The third stringer of the top
stairs went in, too. Further activities were called on account of rain. 
The posts will need cross-bracing--they are a little wobbly.
Labor Day, September 4, 2000
Work resumed today on the tree house after a two day break due to inclement weather  (it rained!) During this time I whiled away a number of hours in the basement shop, preparing
cedar posts and railings, all from trees on our property. Last week I tromped about in the woods and located a few fallen trees and cut them up with my bow saw. The next,
time-consuming step is using variously, draw knife, axe, and chisel and mallet, removing the bark, then sanding the wood smooth.
Today we awoke to find a beautiful cool, breezy day with sunshine and a cl oudless sky.
After the usual trek to the site laden with tools and soft drinks, Jerry drilled through another cedar post and attached it to the stair platform, so that now there are four supporting the platform
and also to be used as future supports for the railings. Jerry determined that I had more work to do to prepare the posts. He left me there with my draw knife drawn,
and a promise to return in the near future with brats and coke for lunch.
I had nearly finished the post when he returned with Dad & Dolly in tow. On their last  visit they had to climb the 10 foot ladder to get into the tree house, and I think they were amazed to find
it was now possible to simply walk up the stairs. Dolly kept me company in the tree house while I ate lunch. Dad busied himself documenting the
experience with photographs from all directions before joining us in the trees, then I took photos of them.The cedar post was positioned next to the second step from the bottom of the stairs. Jerry drilled two holes and
attached carriage bolts. Then, somehow it fell to me to lie on my back under the stairs and fasten the washers and lug nuts.
I spent the rest of the afternoon stripping another cedar post, which will be
fastened at the top of the stairs. The weather was spectacular--a light breeze, blue sky, sun filtered gently through the canopy of maple leaves.
The river swollen from the recent rains, rushing quietly by, reflecting on the surface the blue of the sky and last greens of the early fall foliage. Muktuk,
faithful Alaskan Malamute companion, lay at the foot of the stairs, content, napping between occasional forays into the woods or to the water's edge.
Jerry made another trip down with a jug of lemonade to fortify me, and volunteered to feed the dogs while I
continued stripping the cedar posts. Eventually work was stopped on account of darkness.
September 11, 2000
A beautiful cool crisp fall day. I hiked down to the tree house before work,
climbed up onto the platform and sat and watched the river go by for half an hour or so...the leaves on the trees are just beginning to change...fairly
high ground at this spot for river frontage, so lots of maples, just starting to turn. (Watch for the special section on TREEHOUSE: Fall colors!)
I'd like to construct a small portable blind, next--have all the supplies --camoflauge netting and 2 X 4s...I rather like the open air nature of the platform so I kinda have mixed
feelings about a roof. Got to think some more about that. Maybe cold weather will help me make up my mind!
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