The Garage Project

I guess you could say that the couple that sails together also nails together. We've been hard at the Garage Project since our return to Minnesota. Well, Dave has anyway. I had to take the first week home slow and easy after coming down with a whopper of a summer cold! I had a fever of 102 for six days, deep cough and lots of snot until I dragged myself to the clinic and got antibiotics that changed my situation for the better within 12 hours. Unfortunately, I slept through my birthday and our 30th wedding anniversary before winning the battle against the flu!

First Row Done

Painting Siding

Drying Siding

Once I was back on my feet I was right out there with him, hanging siding and hammering nails. Just like sailing, we work well together. I remember back in the 80's when we were cruising aboard our 23 foot sailboat Keewatin and met a gal who asked me in great wonder, "Do you live on that little boat with that boy?" When I answered, "Yes, I do", she responded with some of the best advice I've ever gotten, "Well then, you should marry him!"

There is so much to do, we paint the boards before we mount them, and after three weeks of going at it every day, we finally finish the siding section. It's about at this time that we notice we've lost the tan on the tops of our feet. This brings back memories of trying to keep our feet in the shade aboard Mystic. They were always slathered in sunscreen yet turned a toasted brown from the constant exposure. We laugh at the definitive sock line around each of our ankles and dream about tan feet and salt water.

   

The next step is adding the cedar shakes to the front and back gable. Dave has been building things for most if his life. He's really good at it and often makes guides and tools to help with repetitive work. Our neighbors watch our progress and are delighted with his creation of custom racks to hold the boards and shakes in place for mounting. It speeds things up and helps him keep things level.

Dave's Shake Guide

Dave Loading the Shake Guide

He loads the guide then nails
all the shakes in one go

The work slows down as we move higher on the garage wall. Dave is comfortable with heights, even on a thin ladder rung. I am not! I become paralyzed with fear once I step above a certain undefined point; digging my nails into the metal rungs, trying to breath slowly in, ending with exaggerated exhales, until I can find the courage to lower myself to a perceived safer level. It's hard to explain this kind of irrational fear.

Acrophobic Indeed

Once the shakes are attached and the trim is installed there are a lot of details to attend to. Nail holes must be filled and sanded. Every seam must be caulked. Paint needs to be cut in at the corners. Gingerbread that matches the house must be added.

In the end, our garage project will look beautiful! We can check it off our list of "Have To's", and head back to Mystic for our second season on the loop, satisfied with the work we've done at home.

Front is complete
Painting shakes for the West side