It's difficult to describe the emotions you feel when your dreams become a reality. 10 years of researching, planning and saving comes down to two days of timber raising. Even though there were a few hurdles we had to overcome, the end result is beyond anything we could have imagined.
The whole process started Tuesday, September 7th with the timber framing crew from Hutchinson, Kansas arriving around noon. The first roadblock (literally) was figuring out how to get a 60-ton crane and two 48 ft. flatbeds around a very tight turn at a very dangerous place on the road, and down a steep, winding gravel driveway. The answer: Call the highway patrol to stop traffic. A BIG thanks to those guys!
Once the crane was in place and the trucks were down the drive, a lift or telehandler was used to unload the timbers and stairs from the trucks. All of the pieces were laid out on slats and the process of putting the frame together began.
The timbers are moved up onto the sub-floor and the framers began building the first bent. Once a bent was constructed they were stacked in the order that they were to be lifted by the crane. Each bent weighed many tons and had been pre-fitted at the shop in Hutchinson.
The construction of the frame began in full early Wednesday morning, September 8. (Happy Birthday, Mom!) The second challenge of the process became apparent as the framers began brainstorming the best way to place the two-story stairs and rails in a really tight spot without damaging the beautiful woodwork. Everyone held their breath as the crane lifted the stairs high in the air and placed it PERFECTLY in the stairwell. INCREDIBLE - and everyone exhaled all at once!
After the stairs were nestled in their spot, the first bent was lifted up and over the stairs and attached to the rails. Since it was the first bent to be raised, trees were used to hold it in place. It was a bit like setting a piece of paper on it's edge and expecting it to stand - a little precarious, but leave it to the pros to make it happen!
Attaching the second bent gave the structure a little more support. The framers climbed the sides of these timbers like circus performers and seemed to work without the fear of a misstep.
Throughout the day, the crane floated parts of our home through the air and we all watched as the framers took the timbers off the crane a piece at a time and placed it in the right position.
the kitchen and living room emerge out of nothing!
We are probably most excited about the white oak stairs and walnut rails. They are stunning, and I'm already thinking about what greenery I'm going to wrap them in at Christmas. I don't know if it will be ready for Christmas, but it sure is fun thinking about it.
Although the rains arrived early on Thursday morning, the framers continued to work and put the timbers together. At no time did they consider stopping, and probably did their most dangerous work climbing those rain-slick timbers in a steady rain.
With the frame constructed, the timber framers gathered their supplies and left their beautiful artwork behind. Mark and I cannot begin to express our gratitude to John Van Bruggen and his team that made our home a reality. Although there are still walls to go up and finishes to be completed, thanks to the crew at Clydesdale Frames, our home has a soul.
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