Cabin Trip, Summer 2004

2004 Cabin Pictures

Tuesday, June 29
After packing everything I could think of into my Jeep and then shoehorning my bike in, I started my journey to Los Alamos. I ended up meeting Steve and Kija in Santa Fe for dinner and then followed them over to Home Depot, where Steve bought the all important truck mounted toolbox. This would be invaluable in keeping our gear safe and dry during our trip. Next was to head to Los Alamos, install the toolbox, pack for a while and then get a short sleep in the last bed we would see for a week. Note: It rained on us all the way to Loas Alamos and that would be about when I discovered I had forgotten a coat.

Wednesday, June 30
Like usual, 6am came early but we were up and starting to pack the truck. By 8am the truck was packed and we were on the road. We had to fight the rain all the way to Douglas Wyoming where we stopped for the night. Once we arrived in Douglas, we got to see the trailer that we were expected to pull to the cabin. It was a 18 foot double axle car trailer carrying 4 railroad timbers, a table and benches for the cabin, 40 gallons of water and lots of fuel for the welder and chainsaws. Plain and simple, it looked heavy. That night we stayed in my Uncle's 5th wheel.

Thursday, July 1
Our day started at 7am and soon we were in route to Casper where we were going to do our last bit of shopping. The sky was cloudy but no rain fell until we reached Buffalo. Once there we feuled up, grabbed lunch and headed up the mountain. This would prove to be the biggest test of Steve's pickup and although we had to go slow, we arrived at the campground at around 11am. Soon after arriving at the campground, the tent was set up and the trailer was unhitched. Off to the cabin for a quick look and some pictures, and then out for a bike ride. After that we went for a cruise up to the Powder River Pass and then to the beaver ponds for another bike ride. We ended the day by starting a fire, cooking dinner and trying to stay warm.

Friday, July 2
As usual when camping, I wake as soon as the sun comes up and this morning was no different. We planned on heading to Buffalo for a little shopping and finally hit the road about 10:30am (Steve likes to sleep). Our plan was to return about the time my Uncle was supposed to arrive at camp but there was no sign of him when we got back. So we jumped on our bikes and headed down the road next to Doyle Creek. After riding about 3.5 miles into the forst, we came to private property and decided to turn back. About that time the wind came up and the rain started to fall and by the time we finally got back to camp, we were very wet and very tired. The good news was that my Uncle had arrived. That afternoon and night was spent setting up camp and sitting around talking.

Saturday, July 3
This would be our first day of construction on the cabin and around 6:30am there was an announcement that breakfast was ready. After eating we all piled into one of the many Chevys and headed to the cabin. Once there, first task was to remove the old deck and that went both quickly and smoothly. Next was to start laying out where the new deck would be and determining the size and postion of the fist pieces. Once the fist few pieces were welded in place, the rest of the frame went up easily. While half the group worked on building the frame for the new deck, the other half was busy moving dirt for an improved parking area. When we called it quits for the day the tack welded together, over half of the new driveway was finished and we were all sore and tired. Off to the lake for a bit of fishing and relaxation.

Sunday, July 4
At about 6:30am there again came the announcement that breakfast was ready and soon everybody was awake and fed. Once again we all piled into the Chevys and headed back to the cabin. The first order of buisness was to set the purlines in place. Steve and I were given the task and with a little thought and effort, soon we had a plan. After that the purlines needed welded down and then we could start laying the deck boards. At the end of the day the deck was completely covered and only the railing and steps from the driveway were lacking. Speaking of the driveway, it also was coming along nicely and only needed a few more hours of work to be completed. Once we returned to camp, we all had a great dinner before heading to bed.

Monday, July 5
Sometime very early in the morning it started to rain and it did not stop. We had planned to finish nearly all the work on the cabin this day but with the weather not cooperating, we were forced to take the day off. With this news, Steve and I decided to cut the trip short and head home a day early. We packed up camp and ended up leaving at about noon. After driving for nearly 12 hours we were back in Los Alamos and ready for a shower and some sleep.