Men's Work Trip to Zephyr, September 2009

Zephyr Sunset

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Sunset seen from the Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center, site of the Stone Church Men’s Mission Work Trip, September 11–14, 2009. (Photo by Dan Raby, earlier in 2009)

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Our assignment: improve two decks at Cabin 103, aka “the Pastor’s Cabin”. It is the highest one on the hill behind the office; getting ourselves and materials there involved considerable climbing. Note the intricate staircase.

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The “High Deck” adjacent to the living room needed to be completely rebuilt.

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Leland and David remove decking, high above the ground below.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Lawrence, Art and Chris mix concrete for repairs to the “Low Deck” at the top of the staircase and adjacent to the cabin’s hallway.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Fresh concrete is laid, to become a foundation for a post at the Low Deck.

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No lumber is wasted. Discarded rail and deck pieces are to be cut into short lengths for use in cabin fireplaces. Rod was quite busy with the chop saw throughout the weekend.

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All that sawing raised quite a pile of sawdust!
(A tree’s lament might be: “Sawdust thou art, and unto sawdust thou shalt return.”)

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

At the High Deck, all needed demolition has been done. Here Leland, Mark, David and Lawrence work to build a scaffold, from which they will begin the new structure.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Leland, Mark and David check where to trim an old supporting beam on the High Deck.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Lawrence, Chris and Art inspect their new supporting post, at the corner of the Low Deck.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Gary, David and Mark at work on the High Deck.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Chris fastens a new piece on the Low Deck.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Stephen (R) takes a break from carrying lumber to the work site, while Bill saws scrap wood.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Bill raises yet another cloud of sawdust.

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David pauses in his work on the High Deck.

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The power drills got a real workout this weekend!

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Chris takes his turn carrying lumber up that long stairway.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Chris packs four 4x4s for posts through the final doorway to the High Deck.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Gary and David appear, like beavers, above the supporting joists they just installed for the High Deck.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Gary, David and Mark do some final checking on the joists.

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Mark notes that the High Deck appears ready for its flooring to be installed.

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Another view of the High Deck.

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A Lake Tahoe scene, from near Cabin 103.

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David pauses as installation of High Deck flooring begins. Note how it runs at a 45 degree angle to the joists, to increase structural strength.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

(L-R) Chris, Art, Lawrence, Mark and Bill at work on the Low Deck. It needed a completely new set of railings, posts, and selective replacement of deck boards.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

David trims floor ends on the High Deck. One piece is caught in the act of obeying gravity.

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David, Leland and Stephen at work on the High Deck.

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A hundred yards away, near the office building, John cuts pieces for the railing sections.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Lawrence and Mark prefabricate a railing section. These go between the posts, and when finished were carried to the cabin one at a time.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Lawrence and John sawing another piece for a railing section.

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Bill is caught “behind bars” by the group’s rather impish photographer.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Gary and Mark (somewhat hidden) complete a railing section.

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At the end of a workday, John and Lawrence prepare our supper.

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L-R around the dining table: Lawrence, Bill, Leland, Stephen, Chris, Art, John, Gary, Rod. Not shown: David.

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In the far back, the Low Deck is fitted with its first railing section.

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Several railing sections are now in place at the Low Deck.

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A post and its brace are set in place. Intricate fitting was needed to accomodate the large boulder just beneath.

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The post is toenailed into place. Note the boulder just behind the drill and hand.

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An old dog CAN learn new tricks. Here, Mark instructs his canine friend in the use of the drill.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

The Low Deck is finished.

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The High Deck is finished.

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Mark and Rod pose after installing most of the railing sections on the High Deck.

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Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:51:27 -0800

Leland surveys part of our completed project, from the High Deck.

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Another spectacular Lake Tahoe sunset, taken the evening just before we finished.