Snoscootrs Wild Ride: Lost & Found(ation)

Greetings all! Here comes fall! Gone are the 80 degree days and now the nights are cooler and daylight hours growing shorter. I received a call from our builder of garage Monday, and he asked if it would be OK if the excavators started this week prepping for the foundation. Of course I had no objections! On Wednesday I received another call, stating the hole was dug, and the footings were poured. Of course, then it rained like cats and dogs (again), so they were going to have trouble setting forms. Armed with this news, and seeing that the color was rated as high in upper VT, we naturally figured it was time for a road trip. We also finally were going to meet in person the builder, as all our business has been conducted over the phone so far.

We left late today (9 AM instead of the normal 5 AM) as Ken the builder wasn't able to meet till ~4 PM. The drive was much different, lots more cars than usual (because most people are sleeping @ 5 AM!) but still got there in the normal amount of time. As we travel north, the colors slowly change from green, with occasional oranges, yellows and reds to a sea of colors mixed on the hill sides. These pictures was facing toward New Hampshire's White Mountain range at a scenic lookout spot near St. Johnsbury on I-91.

We arrived at the property, and were happy to see that the forms were up after all. As we got out to examine a little closer, a turkey was strutting around in the yard, totally indifferent to our presence.

The forms were set up, but due to the heavy rain, they ended up extending the driveway with additional fill in order to be able to work. A membrane was laid down so once they are done, they will be able to move the extended driveway back out front to the garage doors.

Additionally, a drainage trench was dug to move water away from the foundation. Eventually, a drain will be placed around the entire foundation, and the water will move away, towards the other drainage ditches (dubbed "The Moat") we already have in place.

With the forms up, 24' x 28' now looks small, but it should cover our needs. In talking with our builder, he said it goes through phases, now it looks small and once the walls start going up it starts to look big again. He said in fact some of the walls have already been pre-built in his shop, and hopes to start building by November! But for now I can only focus on what is there, the foundation. The rebar is all in, and rumor has it they expect to pour as early as Monday October 6!

While we were up there it was hard not to look around and see the changing leaves. There was a patch easily seen from our land that looked at times like it was on fire, when the sun peeked out between the scattered clouds. Easy to see why we picked this spot.