Day 86 October 26, 2001

Its not so cold. I still haven't used my winter coat. I just wear a few sweatshirts and my trusty mechanics gloves. I was putting up the remaining rafters and realized I was going to be short 2. I felt two of the 2x12x20 boards were not suitable for structural use due to serious checks (cracks). I headed to Liberty Lumber to get some new ones. I go to Liberty Lumber even though Rowley's is closer and cheaper because the guy at Liberty always lets me pick and choose the pieces I want. It is getting increasingly difficult to get quality lumber due to dwindling supplies. We have cut down most of the old growth forests and today's lumber comes from newer trees that are grown quickly and therefore end up not as dimensionally stable. Back at the hill I mark, cut and install the last of the rafters. And then the rafters were done! I want to thank Timmy Post for his excellent marking and cutting of the rafters. Nice work!