It's really happening!

We met with our builder on the property this afternoon and laid out the house site. The building contract is signed and excavation begins October 4th! Yay!!!! Our plans include a one-story home with a walk-out basement. The basement area will serve as a "lodge" for small group meetings or retreats. Over the years, we hope to build a couple small cabins/cottages as well. The big challenge for the cabins will be getting utilities/water, not to mention building supplies, back to the remote areas of the property.

Mark and I took the opportunity to hike down to the small stream that divides the knoll where our house will be located and the ridge on the back end of our property. The stream was completely dry...bone dry...not a spot of moister to be found. We walked the whole length of the stream bed up to Eagle Creek, which borders the back corner of our property, and didn't see any water until we came to the place where the stream enters Eagle Creek. Hopefully, the water table will begin to be replenished this fall.

It's a place filled with promise, though. We have a spot down by the river chosen for the outdoor chapel and a potential site for a cabin. A forester person is going to meet with Mark to help us decide which trees to remove to maintain healthy tree growth and give us more of a view from the house/lodge. Right now there's nothing but a solid wall of cedar trees between our building site on the front 1.5 acres and the remaining 22.5 acres. On our return from the hike I found what appear to be petrified bones. I have pics of them which I'll try to upload to this site. If any one out there is an archaeologist, let me know what you think!

My goal is to provide weekly updates once excavation and building begins. Stay posted!

Blessings to all!

Judy