We have heat!

The lake was rough, super windy and there were the typical dock rumors about cancelling ferry service. However, Uncle Al made it up for another HVAC work weekend. The plan was to rock-out the remaining duct work, wire-up the furnace, and maybe get the heat rolling before leaving on Sunday.

Bonnie and Lori came up Saturday for some fun times and provided a much needed break from crawling around in the rafters for 3 out of the last 6 weekends.

Al and I wrapped up at about 5:00 pm on Saturday to spend some time with the ladies. After cleaning up and pre-partying back at the Cedar Cottage, we headed to the Winery. We were planning to see the band all day, and when we arrived, they were 1/2 through their last song, funny. Bring on the vino...

Al, Lori, me and Bon at the Winery

 

Needing to eat some dinner, we made our way to the old and faithful, Village Pump. Still relatively early in the season, but the Pump was jammin' at the bar.

 



Me and Bon at the Village Pump

 

As we started to lose track of time, we wandered next door to the Captain's Corner for a night cap.

 

Al and Lori at Captain's Corner

Despite all of the fun, we did manage to get quite a bit of work done. The main duct runs are done, capped off and we started cutting 6-inch rounds into the trunk lines for supply and cold air returns.

Nice transition piece! not too shabby...

Supply duct tied into unit

 

Some time around 3:00 pm on Sunday, Al finished wiring, installed the digital thermostat and we turned on the heat! When the weather has been 45 deg or below, this is a major accomplishment!

Next steps... run the flexible duct supply lines for the rest of the bedrooms and main living area

Working for the weekend

It's Monday morning and yes, I am already planning for the KI weekend activities. Al and I are heading up again to continue work on the HVAC, tankless hot water heater, miscellaneous electrical, and the water tank decking.

We have invited the ladies to join us on Saturday. Should be a nice change to spend some quality island time and not quite so much work.

Need to figure out how to get ~80 sheets of drywall delivered to the island for May 17th. I was thinking about using the Lowes Spring delivery special, but they are not giving me a solid delivery price.

Toilet dreams

OK, this may sound funny to anyone who is not familiar with Kelleys Island living and the process of building a cottage from vacant land, but yes, we were able to FINALLY get a working toilet installed sometime around noon on Saturday, April 6th! To the cottage building process, this is as important as the invention of the wheel for advancement of humankind.

Everyone (including myself) takes for granted that working toilets are always available everywhere. Let me just mention all of the dependencies to make a toilet flush on Kelleys Island...

1. Water - enormous (1800 gallon) concrete water tank - manually filled via truck
2. Pump - well pump with proper plumbing from water tank
3. Plumbing - supply lines to (3/4") and from (1/2") PEX manifold and drains (PVC) installed
4. Toilet - easy peasy
5. Septic tank - drain lines tied into septic tank  

All of the above have to be "leak-free" with multiple connection points that make me crazy. Anyway, we are good-to-go so far as the toilet goes.

Uncle Al was able to join me for the weekend and he brought his dog "Maddie", the newest member of the crew, on her maiden voyage to the island. Maddie was a good girl and hung around the construction site, in-and-out, of the cottage all weekend.

Maddie, the "Island Dog"

 

We were able to make great progress on the tankless water heater intall. Next working weekend the plan is to actually have hot water!

 

Uncle Al working on the electric for the tankless water heater

The "eco smart" tankless water heater mounted and all wired up!

I got rolling on the water tank beautification project by hanging vertical decking around the perimeter of the concrete structure. Others have used different techniques. However, I thought the finished look of the decking made a nice clean impact on something that you can't hide smack in your front yard!

Friday, just getting started

Almost done, view from the street

 

All done, view from the house, notice the custom/crafty access ladder 

 

Big Al brought out the Big Ladder and mounted the electrical box for the outdoor spotlights. Can't wait to be able to light-up the yard at night.

 

 Al working on the spotlights