Covered Bridge Bicycle Tour 2012

Finally, I got around to posting pictures and video from our 40-mile bike ride last August called the Covered Bridge Bicycle Tour beginning in Albany, Oregon.  The boys were a bit nervous about riding 40 miles but they did pretty well, especially considering it was in the 90s by early afternoon.  Root beer floats at the end provided considerable motivation.

Byron looks so thrilled

Byron still looking thrilled

Crossing the county line

Approaching a covered bridge

Covered bridge in the distance

Picturesque farm

David cools off at the rest stop

Had to stop at a cemetery

Laurie and Alan's bikes

Well deserved root beer floats

David looking very pleased with himself

The Grotto Festival of Lights - Portland, Oregon

Below are pictures and video I took from a visit to The Grotto in Portland two days after Christmas.  I haven't been there for quite a while as it is quite a drive from Mcminnville.  But since I was heading over to visit my parents I thought it was a good time to do a quick visit.  My brothers and I used to make this a regular bicycling destination when we lived at home in Vancouver many many years ago.  It is located just across the I-205 bridge and made a nice ride.

Garden Shed Project

I had been planning to build a garden shed for some time in order to clear out space in my garage.  I looked around for a kit but didn't like the affordable ones very much because either they were too flimsy or didn't have any loft space.  So, I decided to build it from scratch.  I spent a lot of time trying to find plans that I liked.  I wanted around 100 sq. ft. and under 10 ft tall so I could avoid having to get a building permit and still have a little loft area to store things.  I found the plans used here at www.shedking.net.  I liked that he seemed very available to ask questions if I ran into trouble as I am NOT an experienced builder.  Also, his plans are very reasonably priced.  I found out that his plans are not very noob friendly and he didn't return my emails.  But the shopping list alone was worth the price so I can't complain too much.

This shady area under the cedar trees seemed like a good place for the shed since nothing grows there anyway

Laurie convinced me to purchase a "chop" saw and I can say it was SO worth the money

Working on the floor

Floor all done

Rear wall frame

Rear wall with siding

Front wall with door cut-out

Work area

Front wall in place

Front and rear walls in place

Trusses in place (that step took awhile!)

Building the side walls

Side wall siding in place

Added upper siding triangle and Z-flashing

Roofing plywood in place

Tar paper installed

Alan working on the shingles

Roofing all done - already pine needles piling up, sigh

Installed most of the trim - ran out of wood

Laurie began painting

Finished trim, caulked everything, installed vents, and got some more painting done.  It was a race to beat the rain!