Category: Camp

Camp story: loft floor

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We were out at camp today to paint a few boards for corner trim. It went quickly. While cleaning up a bit inside, I noticed the loft floor has begun! I’m excited to see it progress and eventually be able to perch up there, even before stairs!

Beautiful fall color at the lake. And the roof peak is a very charming subtle detail.

Camp story: painting fascia

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We painted long trim boards inside the camp on a rainy Sunday.

The tricky part was finding a way to paint the edges of the back of the boards as well as the top and sides. Sam came up with a way. He affixed blocks of wood to the back with hot glue. This allowed the boards to be painted on both sides. Then it was mainly a matter of finding enough space to allow all those long boards to dry undisturbed.

Sam affixing blocks to center back of boards
Edges of the back painted, to cover the reveals
Board resting on its back, raised by blocks
Last one of this group

Camp story: painting lines and interior framing

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Spent some time at camp today painting.

Camp ready for soffits and fascias
Sam painting lower edge of T-111 panels “Oyster Bay”
Painting lines on back wall
View from back showing fascia a bit of installed soffit with vent. Bill and Cam (on ladder) in background.
View of “birdhouse “ at the corner of soffit. Ironic because it’s purpose is to avoid making a place for a bird’s house.
Bathroom showing spaces marked for broom closet, linen closet and shower
Bedroom wall

Camp, continued

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Foundation with retaining wall completed and sealed by Sam. The crawl space will be insulated. The original building has been moved back on top, but is not set in place yet. This back wall will be removed.
From the front, knee wall in progress. The front of the building will look completely different. The gable ends of the roof will be reoriented. A bank of windows in the front will allow lake viewing. The front door will be at the side of the building opening onto a skinny little deck.
From lakeside, a moment in time and space. The little camp is levitating.

The carpenters started working at camp on Monday August 18th. A huge milestone. Feels a little alarming really as I try to visualize the completed structure. It seems huge and ungainly compared to the compact one room building that’s been there.

We ended up saving the original structure, although this seems crazy and will cost extra. Now that it’s been decided, I feel happy that it will be there. Although the roof will be coming off, the front and back walls will be completely different and nothing about it will be recognizable. We will know it’s there as a small legacy from Ray.

Camp story

CatherineLeave a comment

It looks like we are moving forward with the camp remodel.

We demolished the add-on bathroom. Now there’s a hole in the back wall.

Back of camp after bathroom removal
Interior of camp almost empty

I have mixed feelings about this process.

I’m forever grateful to Ray Storman for selling us the camp. It was the anchor that got us to Maine.

Yet I have a really different vision of what I want it to be. I want to obliterate most traces of Ray’s ownership.

I feel guilty for being so overprivileged to have a summer camp. It will go to Sam’s son when we’re gone.

I’m impatient to get it done. But I won’t let myself be impatient. It will take as long as it takes.

I have vivid memories of staying there during the transition from Connecticut to Maine. With and without Sam. It was at once cozy and horrible.

The lake is so beautiful. Especially in the fall when it starts to get cold. I love it so much.

I want to be a good steward. But there’s so much building and overbuilding going on. Human presence does not feel trustworthy.

We don’t need the rental income. I think about offering camp stays to poets, writers, activists in need of respite. How would I do that? Is it safe there for everyone?