Well, We Do Need the Moisture
I left the house at 5pm tonight and it had already started snowing pretty heavily. A storm was forecast for 9pm, but apparently it decided to show up a little early. Hopefully we don’t get too much. They haven’t added the snow bars on the sections of metal roof yet, and that’s what damaged the gutters after the last storm.
Something I always appreciate about storms in Colorado is someone will inevitably say, “Well, we do need the moisture.”
Here’s a quick recap of house progress.
On Monday, Rio Grande came and commissioned the fireplace! We have fire! Safe, controlled, fire. Fire can be a touchy subject in the neighborhood.
On Tuesday, the railing guys came and installed the front porch railing and a handrail on the main stairs. The gutter team came back and made some repairs due to damage from the big snowstorm, and the garage door opener was installed.
Wednesday, the Pella guys came out and installed all the screens and final hardware.
Thursday the paint team started some touchups and painted the interior of the garage. Ben the Builder and I installed a cheap bathroom vanity in the basement bath.
Friday and Saturday were slower days, with some paint touch ups and details.
Today my electrician showed up again and installed a bunch of recessed light trims, all the basement lights, and the living room chandelier. He was still working when I left around 5pm, so we’ll see how far he got when I drop by tomorrow.
I think it’s really 2-3 weeks before the house will be ready to move in, and most of that is inspections and touch-ups.
I also have done quite a bit of cleaning over at the house lately. It’s exciting to see it coming together. I think pictures are days away.
On Saturday I went back up to Longs Peak to hike around. I was getting over a sore throat and cough, but I was feeling pretty good, and decided I could turn around at any time if I didn’t feel well. Update: the cough has migrated to my sinuses, but other than that, I feel fine.
The mountain seemed a little angry and I was also unprepared. Everything was great until I got above treeline, and then the wind whipped up and clouds were forming. That’s not really unexpected, but the wind had basically wiped away any tracks in the snow, and I kept getting off trail and getting stuck in deep snow. I didn’t bring any snowshoes and I was basically post-holing around for about 90 minutes before I got frustrated and turned back where the trail splits between Chasm Lake and the Keyhole. Amazingly, the wind reversed and blew in my face as I descended back down to the relative comfort of the trees.
It wasn’t my favorite hike in recent memory, but I guess the whole point is to get out there, get some exercise, and experience a little adversity. I did find one nice boulder to shelter behind and have a snack. The lichen on it was amazing.
I committed to hiking Mt. Hood in May, so I need to start getting up in the mountains to sharpen up a little bit.
On the way home, I stopped for coffee at a really amazing chapel in the mountains. I thought it was such a cool place. Today, Courtney and I drove back up there and we went in the Chapel and around the grounds.
The chapel is called Saint Catherine Chapel on the Rock, or Saint Malo’s Chapel. The picture below is a professional photograph, credit to Patrick McKay. It’s a really beautiful building in an amazing location. Apparently Pope John Paul II visited there in 1993. I’ve been driving past this beautiful chapel for the past 25 years on my way to and from Longs Peak and this is the first time I’ve ever thought to stop and check it out. And they brew a good latte as well!
Well, I thought it would be a quick update, but a lot has happened since last Sunday! Have a great week!