Whiskers Holler Journal: Outhouse Up!

Monday morning and reporting! Friday night and Saturday morning Harold and Nick put the finishing work into the outhouse, mainly putting in the actual seat structure. Then Harold and Nick, with some help from Jeanie, Sue and Joey, broke it down and got it onto the trailer for hauling to the property. Sue and Jeanie packed up food for the week-end and we headed out, arriving in Hope approximately 2:30 p.m. We had to clear a tree that had fallen across the driveway and then attempt to back the trailer down onto the lot. The backing down proved problematical due to the steepness and “dip” of the driveway and we had to wait for Matt and Arran to arrive for help in straightening out the truck/trailer for a second more successful attempt. Finally arriving in place everyone hustled back and forth hauling large panels and various pieces over the trail to the outhouse site. In order to level the outhouse securely, several loads of gravel had to be hand carried from the parking area and placed around the buried drum. Once the floor panel was in place, the rest of the panels came together relatively smoothly, and everything (except windows, doors, and trim) was assembled in plenty of time to head to the Gillespie’s cabin to make dinner (quinoa salad, salmon, and burgers).

After a relaxed start on Sunday morning (we didn’t get to the Holler until noon) everybody put in another solid day of work. The finishing touches (which take the most time) were put to the outhouse, and it is currently fully functional (all that remains are the cedar shingles). Jonas was the first customer. We started a large brush fire in the pit at the parking area and hauled and burned two huge piles of brush. Jeanie and Sue also assembled the white canopy shelter at the end of the parking area.

Last to leave, Sue and Harold ran into Robbie and talked about the finishing touches he would make to the driveway. He and his brother Willie were busily dumping F-1 gravel (two grades smaller than D-1; spec’ed for paths and tent sites in campgrounds)) and packing it down when we returned after a quick sandwich at the Discovery Cafe. They smoothed out the dip in the driveway hill and created a parking spot at the top. Harold took a couple pictures but we didn’t stay to see the end result. Robbie gave us the final bill, which is $3468.00 (works out to $1156 each partner). We put the check in the mail to him on Monday. They dumped a small pile of the gravel near the canopy for us to use on our paths. Robbie said if we need any more, we can go to the big pile at their property.