The Meade Hall

[Chungas Revenge]

Size really does matter.


Hunting buddy’s taunt: “That’s looken’ pretty small”.

My indignant reply: “What? Huh..That’s not fair, you see it’s really cold out and I’m wearing that extra set of thermals. You just can’t expect a man to be all natural like when it’s below 30* F”.

Hunting buddy’s puzzled statement: “Huh? What’s that got to do with this tiny little cabin you have staked out”?

Me zipping up: “Well..nothing so never mind. And it’s plenty big enough”.

Hunting buddy dances on the lip of insanity: “Can’t fit no kinda couch or recliner in that. Where’s a fella supposed to stretch out after taking a hot shower? Can’t have a refrigerator just sitting on the porch. Think about your Neihbor’s, how would they feel knowing you’re on a one man crusade to wreck their property values”?

Twilight Zone bewilderment: “Couch? Recliner? Shower? Refrigerator? I don’t have any Neihbor’s”!!!

I’ve taken out 2-3 yrs worth of head scratching, ciphering and late night bouts of frustration with the T-square and drawing board. What I distilled above, I consider the most meaningful of the various conversations about the “new” cabin.

In the end, bigger was better.

What unfolded on paper and eventually on the ground, was twice the size of my earlier modest proposal. The initial design phase consisted of space for a 12x12 kitchen a 12x12 bathroom of sorts and a 24x24 great room.

Later, I’ll illustrate the ever evolving design process and prove scientifically that a wall is no barrier, when you have a chain saw…

More details to follow.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

I can’t shake Dick Proenecke from my soul. With each passing day, the spectrum of sanity takes me his way.

An amazing man. Inspiring on another level.

In the “what if” and “why didn’t I” chapters of my life, Dick Proenecke is contemptuously poking me with a stick. Soft chairs, soft beds and soft living takes its toll…

 

[majdomo]

sub'd!

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Charlie’s Place.

Sunday was closing down as I lit the flame. Sundown marks the official beginning of the twilight story hour around the fire ring. To a novice or uninitiated listener, story hour differs from the recounting or reporting of actual events by its seeming lack of validity, witnesses or evidence. This eloquent exposition of shared culture varies wildly and may include yarns, scuttlebutt, tall tales, legends, epic sagas, allegations or accepted local superstitions. The narrator, may elect of his own accord, to interject fragments of the truth when necessary in order to illustrate a particular poignant declaration.

I do however draw the line at fishing stories. I figure there’s no sense in telling outright lies if you can help it.

Reoccurring favorites include best rifle/caliber, cures for jock itch, ugliest girl friend, that one night in Tijuana, regrettable tattoos, Hedi the snacken’ wench, the Baghdad chariot race, Vicks salve is not Vaseline, and my personal favorite… Sunrise at table of good and evil.


I met the old fella that sold me the property at the lawyers office during our final closing. He was in his mid eighties at the time, sun worn and a little arthritic. Reminded me of a much older version of Humphrey Boggarts character “Charlie” in the African Queen. He looked the part in overalls, a three day beard and a Hemingway big bill fishing cap. We chatted the better part of an hour. He told me where the best hunting was, the location of a natural spring and where to dig ramps. He told me about the apple tree in the corner of the field, the persimmon grove and where his dog was buried. I instantly liked him and I listened more than I spoke. As we shook hands he said “There’s been a lot of good times out there around the fire, a lot of good memories in those woods. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have”. I watched him amble off and disappear into the parking lot. Six or seven years later I heard he was in an assisted care facility. I regret not going to see him.


He chose the location of the fire pit. Sure, I’ve modified it over the years, replaced the stone and added the ring but, it was Charlie who laid it out, placed the first stone and lit the first fire. My first night there, I remember siting on an old log that doubled as camp furniture and a splitting stump. As the sun made its way toward the ridge line, paused and disappeared it occurred to me that Charlie chose that spot for a reason.


I’m certain he crossed over some time ago. But Charlie, if you’re reading this, stop by sometime, put your feet up and pull one from the cooler there’s still good times around the fire.


Looking due west.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

“ I instantly liked him and I listened more than I spoke.”

I once asked a Charlie like geezer for some advice he could share with a padawan.

“God gave me two ears and one mouth for a reason…. So I could listen twice and speak once”

 

[greenbeast]

Mr. Rayburn sold us his farm of 40 years in 2007 when he and his wife couldn’t live rural any longer. You could tell his heart was aching being forced to move to assisted living but he knew it was time. He would smile so much talking about history i just soaked it up.

What started as a weekend getaway to hunt and fish with the family is now where we are building our home to live out the rest of our lives.

Too many memories to count, I hope your blessed with the same luck we have had!

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Hunting Buddy scores.

Monday: Opening day. Hunted until 1100. Lots of young deer. Smaller 8’s, a 6, a crazy 7 and a herd of spikes.

Back in the stand at 2-ish. Clouding up as the storm front was moving in. 20 minutes before sundown I heard the unmistakable rapport of a 30-06.

Nice young healthy 8.

As the Land Owner I get to invoke “Jerkus Gratis”. Translation= Free Jerky .

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Friends with equipment.

The trouble with the forest is it’s full of (dead) trees..Standing dead timber is not your friend. It does make for ready made fire pit wood but, it’s hazardous. I’ve cleaned up more downed trees than I can recall. Winter work always includes clearing trails.

This past year a tree decided to kamikaze directly on to one of my gates. The gate lost.

Two good friends (father son team) from four counties away, drove down in their contact truck to help out. The old gate was a little cumbersome to operate. New gate, with the addition of the suspension wire, is a one finger swing.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

All roads lead to the top.


It must have been “Charlie”, who cut what we now call the “center road”, to the top of the ridge line. It’s a little steep and there’s two dog legs that make the ascent a memorable drive. For the most part it’s a sandstone sub base. Where it’s not sand stone, it’s clay.

Two summers ago, I rented a D5 with a forestry blade and a track hoe. I had the equipment for a week and put it to good use. I cut the road in toward the bank/ditch and used the track hoe to clean up the ditch line and remove sections of clay. Added a couple of water breaks on the steeper section and called for stone.

There’s a 3” crush n’ run base with a crush n’ run cap that I rolled in with a vibratory roller. The crew that hauled the stone had their work cut out. We had to use the winch line off of the dozer to “assist” the drivers to the top of the ridge. Fun filled day. The guy that owns the hauling business knows his art. He’s a local with a finger in oil/gas, timber and hauling. I stepped back and he conducted that op like a pro.

So far it’s held up well. Keeping the ditches clear is key. Trying to get two more winters before I recap and roll in another layer of top coat.


1st pic dog leg #1 looking back toward the gate. Prefinish.
2nd pic Fire pit on my right. Looking down toward the 2nd dog leg.
3rd pic The ascent. Prefinish.
4th pic. Road concludes just past the Lil’ cabin.

 

[Ol Yeller]

I’d love a spot like this close enough to drive to on a Friday night, really enjoying the journey you are taking us in here…

 

[Chungas Revenge]

I’d love a spot like this close enough to drive to on a Friday night, really enjoying the journey you are taking us in here…

I looked for two years until I found it. That’s another story in itself…My screening criteria was “no more than an hour from our house”. I’m about 40 minutes (+ or -) to the gate.

I wouldn’t think you would be lacking possibilities in B.C.. I worked one summer in the PNW. Visited B.C. For a few days. Incredibly beautiful area. Even spent a weekend one night in an Oyster Bar.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Ignorance is bliss

Our Clan’s motto is “Fortitudine”. I looked it up once, it’s Latin, it means “To dumb to quit”. Our surname, in the Gaelic tongue, originates from the Gaelic "Mhic Raith" or "Mac Rath", meaning "One who bends nails”. I guess you just can’t out run your heraldry.

Before the 1st chalk line was stretched, the 1st nail driven or the 1st thumb smashed, which coincidently happened at the same time, my knowledge of the building arts could fill the pages of the worlds shortest story. While most of my friends and later acquaintances were learning a trade craft, I was off slugging through a career as a self proclaimed champion of freedom, protector of the faith, humble knight of the realm.

As I recall, it was sometime in 1979/80 during the rainy season in Okinawa Japan, wrapped in a poncho made by a low bid contractor, rain cascading down in sheets of solid water, that I thought to my self “Hey self, wouldn’t it be great to have a little cabin in the woods!!??”

The big cabin is the culmination, in part to that 0300, water logged day dream.

I have pics of recent iterations as things evolved. I can’t avoid jumping forwards or backwards as necessary in order to get through this phase and into the “Meade Hall” build. This building didn’t go up in a season or two. In fact it’s still going up (modified) in a round about way.

Basics:
Building started as a 24x36.
Kitchen 12x12.
Bath (other) 12x12.
Exterior 3/4 Marine Grade plywood in the board and batten style.
Gable ends are cedar lap.
Windows are a mix of double hung and casement.
Roof is 10/12, using a scissor truss, sheeted using the “zip system”, green metal
Front deck is 8x24, treated decking boards.
Side deck is 8x24, treated decking boards.
3 doors.


You’ll no doubt spot a few “why’d you do that(s)”, “you could’ve done that different (better)” and a few “WTH were you thinking”.
I’ll chalk it up to an over active imagination unfettered by adult supervision and the blissful ignorance that comes with truly not knowing what you’re doing.

Front deck railing going up. 2018-ish
Back of cabin 2018-ish
Standing in the kitchen looking out into the great room circa 2018-ish. Good view of the ceiling.
Front deck freshly stained fall 2025.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Better shot of the great room. Circa fall 23.


Ceilings done in 1x12 pine that is aging nicely. Walls in 1x6 T/G with a water base urethane. Bead side out on the gable end.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Early rendition of the “fire place” circa 2015/16, white pine stained cherry as I remember. 1x14 natural slate. Refurbed Cawley Lemay wood stove. 1x5 T/G 3/4” red oak flooring.

 

[RevISK]

I can’t shake Dick Proenecke from my soul. With each passing day, the spectrum of sanity takes me his way.

Spot on.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

That is pretty high cotton for the hills of West Virginia. What a beautiful cabin and piece of land.


Doing it right.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

I’m shotgunning posts today. No chores, distractions or overlords. Probably need to throttle back on the caffeine inspiration.
Windows are ad hoc mix. 3 on the eastern wall and 4 on the western wall. Cabin is oriented N/S. Shot of the storage loft.

Circa 2023. Changes coming in 2026. Added accent color to break up the sea of pine.

1: Looking from the corner of the kitchen counter toward the front door.
2. Same corner looking straight ahead
3. Front door looking in. Kitchen left/Bath right.

 

[RevISK]

Really cool Jeff. Inspirational and aspirational.

I am particularly fond of the Lowe’s accent bucket.
Ties the room together.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

That is pretty high cotton for the hills of West Virginia. What a beautiful cabin and piece of land.


Doing it right.

Thank you sir.

I’ll post up some pics later of the view from my stand. It ain’t Montana brother but, it’s any easy drive from my door and “two weeks from everywhere”.

It morphed more than once. Still fleshing it out. I would like to have a 99% solution come fall of 26. Maybe flushing facilities and running water too…

 

[pb4ugo]

My brother buit a similar A frame type cabin in southern Indiana. Fortunately electric was close. He has a cistern that he gets filled a couple times a year. They have 5 gallon Igloo water jugs they bring for drinking water. The lesson they learned is to have all the water supply lines easy to drain and slightly sloped at certain spots for easy winterization.