Friday, July 24, 2009

One

One trip to the emergency room for a wasp sting, one rattlesnake, one too many cases of poison oak, but one tent cabin, and one truly good time.

The pool didn't quite live up to the hype. We have some leveling to do!

Follow this link to view a short video of a Sunset concept house using multiple tent cabins as bedrooms: http://www.sweetwaterbungalows.com/video/sunset_retreat_SW.html
One down...

Follow this link to see the property featured in the before and after section of our contractor's website: http://www.imagetreeservice.com/BEFOREandAFTERS.html

Monday, June 29, 2009

Good Fortune

"A party with friends is in your near future" read the fortune in my cookie last night.

We have been working hard to prepare for the weekend, and have the following update:

1. Water: In this heat, staying cool is on all of our minds. We are happy to report that, as of last Thursday, we have running water on the property - two hose bibs and a generator running the well pump. We have ordered the kid pool (12' diameter x 36" deep) pictured left. We cross over the Russian River on the way to our property and there is a river beach that could also become a respite from the heat. I am showing a forecast in Healdsburg of 87 degrees Fahrenheit for the weekend. Drinking Water: We will be filtering well water through a large table-top Brita system and have a flat of water bottles for drinking.

2. Facilities: A porta-potty will be delivered to the property on Friday sometime after noon.
We will also have a solar shower (pictured) and a shower station, equipped with shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and Tecnu poison oak wash.

3. Hazards: While we started the first of four days of clearing yesterday, it will take some number of cycles to eliminate the poison oak plants. Please be prepared to take precautions with long pants and long sleeved shirts if you are sensitive (as I am); we will have Tecnu and a washing station, and plenty of garbage bags to stash poison oak clothes. Be prepared for mosquitoes; we will have some bug sprays, but bring a favorite, if you have one. Plan to do tick checks, and take general caution; one suggestion is to rubber band the bottoms of pant legs to keep crawling bugs out. Luc and I will review the clearing in progress tomorrow to see what the newly "mowed" terrain is like; however, I suggest you pack some closed toe shoes.
We will visit the local hospital to learn snake bite and spider bite protocols.

4. Provisions: Please bring bathing suits, anything that flies (boomerangs, rocket kits, Frisbees), ice chests, and camp chairs if you have them. We will have two simple picnic tables, a small Weber grill, and will supply food and beverages.

5. Activities: We will have the pool, badminton (with net), volleyball, super soakers, and a screened tent as a quieter play space for the kids.

6. Tools: If you have a battery-powered screwdriver, please bring it; the more the better!

7. Directions: We will post directions on Wednesday, after a last trip up with some precise mileage markers so you don't miss the road.

Cheers!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Long Before



I have posted two photos taken at the time we purchased the property in 2005. My aunt can attest to it's current forested state. Matt and I will be up this Saturday, and will take some current "before" photos. We have four days of clearing scheduled to begin Monday, July 29th - we hope the "after" will turn out somewhat close to these photos. That may be overly optimistic, but there will be sites for tents!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

A Start

Save the Date: A Barn Raising

Healdsburg, California

Friday, July 3rd – Sunday, July 5th


Dear Family and Friends:


On July 4th, 2009, we are hosting a good old fashioned barn raising at our property in Healdsburg.


In Italian, the word “tutti” means all, everybody. Since I don’t want to keep calling the property “Healdsburg”, I’m throwing this nickname to the wall to see if it sticks. As my family knows, my mom was affectionately called “Tootie”, a nickname given to her by Ali, evolved from our grandpa calling her "Toots" (after the Tootsie Roll), which later became "Auntie Toots" to Karen, and finally "Tootie". The idea is simply about family and friends all coming together.


I've borrowed the second idea, one of a good old-fashioned barn raising, from my friend, Karin. I imagine Grandpa Benke would love it! So, we are having a weekend party, campout, and building a tent cabin (www.sweetwaterbungalows.com). I am working to clear space, have running water, and anything else I can get done between now and then - electricity is a long shot, though there will be a generator for the well. I'm working on facilities - a composting toilet or porta-potty, but it could be the woods.


Bottom line: However far we get, we’re doing it anyway. This weekend may prove to be only for the grittiest. It’s okay to stay undecided until the last minute to see how far we get, or to go all in and ask for some thing you would want for your ideal weekend. Consider your suggestions solicited and your company welcomed. You can help with building the tent cabin, evolve the vision for development, read a book in the sun, play with the kids, help with the grilling. Anything goes.


We will definitely be tent camping, Ernie and Bridgette will be coming in their tent trailer, so feel free to do something similar if you want – however you like to camp.


I will try to keep this space updated with progress, in order to help with your decision. I'll be frank about Matt and my concerns, the safety protocols we get in place, and so on. I imagine we will all be there sooner or later, in various configurations, but want to include this first group - our family, our mother's group friends, and our neighbors here in Oakland. Please feel free to come up for an afternoon, a meal, a night. I am working out the details for meal planning based on how big of a group we will be.


Ciao!

Dawn