The aftermath of Hurricane John continues to dump rain on Rico. With a few dry hours in the morning Greenbay and I complete the top log on the cabin’s west wall. It’s yet another tedious process that requires fitting the concave underside of the log on top to the convex surface of the log underneath. We have only a few remaining pieces long enough to complete the job.
Joe and DD have completed the forms for the garage footing which will get poured tomorrow. Pat, another Rico resident is working on tying the steel within the forms. Just a few days ago he gave me some printed history on the Rico cemetery that was very interesting.
I had heard rumors that my Great Grandather Victor Lee had been married once before and that his wife had died. He remarried my Great Grandmother Harriet Lee and had adopted her two sons, Hartley and Charles (my grandfather). No one in the family knew his first wife’s name or when she had died. The history Pat has given me yields the following information: From the Rico Sun News Obituary May 25, 1901 45 years; wife of Victor H. Lee; born Germany , to Detroit at 18, Rico in 1885…Rico News Sun May 6, 1899 , Victor H. Lee and Marie O’Morohn married Thursday. Rico News April 19, 1902 Estate Settlement…. We now know more about the details. Thanks Pat.
My neighbor, Mike Curran, who is head of the Rico Historical Society, walks across the street to visit with me. Amazingly, he produces a picture of my cabin taken in about 1920! It is exciting to see. The corner of an old Victorian House is barely visible to the north of the cabin. During excavation, we found small parts of the remains of this old house which burned to the ground years ago. My neighbor Annie’s house is also shown. The photo with numerous other photos of Rico was given to someone in Rico and was turned over to Mike for historical preservation. I’ve asked Mike to make me a copy. The photo is very clear and shows that the cabin had been recently chinked when this photo was taken in about 1920. The donor said that his grandparents had taken the photo in Rico years ago. The photo also shows a small porch and steps at the front of the cabin as well as a neat boardwalk that was the original side walk. I am tickled to see the photo. I can’t wait to get a copy! When we get the photo, we will scan it and post it on our blog…
By noon it begins to rain and after lunch I walk back to the house. Joe is figuring yardage for the concrete pour. The rain has let up some, but the mountains around are fogged in and it looks like the weather will stay put for the afternoon. With the rain slowed down and nearly stopped, I begin to work on more of the plumbing on the first floor. With a few more hours work I should have the drain lines completed in the crawl space and on the first floor.
Joe has managed to work out a deal with the electrical contractor to allow me to work with one of the electricians to do much of the rough-in work in running wire and boxes when the time comes. This should save quite a lot on labor.
The propane company has delivered the propane tank today and hooked up the gas line up to the house.
Late afternoon I stop by Fabians famed “Green Room”, the old state hwy shed. He has offered me the use of his shop to fabricate the steel parts I will need. He has asked me to install a 50 amp 220 volt outlet for him. I will need only a few parts to make the installation. I appreciate his offer for the trade and it will help both of us. I’ve picked up a new metal cutting blade for my portable cut off saw. This will help us in cutting the large I-beams for the metal steps we have to build.
Kathy stops by for a visit and informs me that while in working in Telluride today she saw the first snow fall on the mountains above Telluride…looks like winter is near. At least nearer than in many other parts of the country.
technorati tags:Rico, Colorado, log+cabin, reclaimed+lumber, salvage, hand+hewn+timbers
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