May 24th Update

Progress continues. The road work still on hold since ICE (eee-say) is still working on the community power supply. Still not turned on. And rains are starting to pick up, so you'll note a lot more wet/mud.

The crew built a cascada to help control flow of water coming out of the tube. You can see that here. Nice job! Those rocks embedded into the cement will help disrupt water flow easing erosion problems.

I like this next image as it shows the height of the front posts supporting the first floor. The good news then is we'll be able to put in the lower floor on the downhill side below the first floor. Should be useful for a variety of potential uses! Minimally, will make a platform for servicing undermounted equipment.

We've decided to go ahead and get the second generator, and create a platform accessible from this "basement" floor to hold the generator permanently after construction. Since our power is a single line from the main road, and we're rather rural, ICE isn't going to give highest priority to restoring power. Having a backup to keep the refrigerator going, and modest lights will be a huge help.

This last picture of this posting shows Gerardo at the outer edge of the casitas first floor. This corner will be outside covered deck space off the two first floor bedrooms.

I'm not sure that I described our casita all that well. But the first floor has two generously sized bedrooms, a nice sized bathroom with a step down shower, laundry area, and a storage room divided into "owners" section (separate lock and key) and employee area for storing spare papergoods, sheets, towels, etc. The two bedrooms share a common outer space. In fact friends, PLEASE HELP US DECIDE. Should we put a divider wall between the two sides of that lower deck so that guests staying in one room, can't walk around and knock on the sliding glass door other the other? Or should we leave it open?

Upstairs is really just a big studio room. Bath, bedroom area only partially separated from the living room space. Then living room and kitchen sort of "great room". The kitchen area will cantelever for one meter over the driveway side; making a cover over the lower door.

I expect soon Gerardo will have much of the lower floor framing in place, and set the posts for the upper floor and begin building that. Dick and I arrive on June 12th (travel June 11th) and the intention is to begin framing the roof. We also need to schedule our July trip, where we will tackle electric details, and rough plumbing.

All for this week!

Ricarado y Jeeeeem

ps - since starting this blog, Jim started a new companion blog giving history behind the building of Casita Torrente de Agua. If you want to know the back story, go here: http://jimdicktdacasainthebeginning.blogspot.com/