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PHOTOS - 15 OCTOBER 2006

A view from the corner of 64 and Roper Hollow Rd.; the mountain in the distance is where Silver Creek development resides (along the top of the ridge).

The entrance to the Silver Creek development.

The 1354 sq/ft cabin "chalet" at the top of the ridge in Silver Creek which was built in 1984; it has a new roof, new carpet, new "Pergo" flooring in the great room.

Entrance to the cabin with green shutters.

Back side of the cabin with the T1-11 siding on the basement.

This is the underside of the porch right outside of the basement exit.

Another small side porch, perhaps originally designed for a hot tub (hmmmm).

A view from the great room into the kitchen.

The functional first floor bathroom (both baths are full baths).

The left bedroom on the first floor (Elizabeth has claimed).

The right bedroom on the first floor (Andrew and guests perhaps).

Stairway to the second floor with bath and master bedroom.

Looking up the stairway to the second floor bath.

Look familiar? Cookie cutter bathroom design (same as the 1st floor).

Looking down upon the greatroom wood burning stove; a secondary source of heat is not a bad idea and trees grow all around for fuel.

The first view of the second floor bedroom (sloped ceiling side).

The second view of the second floor bedroom with closet (dormer side).

Stairway to the basement. Watch out for the "headache" on the way down.

The first view of the 651 sq ft unfinished basement with propane space heater to keep pipes from freezing in the winter.

A look at the laundry in the basement, sparse but functional.

This is the one issue that could be the deal breaker; there was obvious water damage in the basement. I thought it might have been a burst pipe situation but the realtor says she was told it was from a leaky roof (hence the new roof). We are inquiring about disclosure on any other damage that was the result of the water and what remediation was made to correct said damage.

A view down the gravel road in front of the cabin; note that there are gravel roads throughout the development with some rather steep switchbacks on the way up to the ridge...but that's what you need to get views.

This is the community lodge at the top of the ridge.

The interior of the lodge; it has several rooms and public bathrooms.

A view of the pool and surroundings.

O.K. This is what is most appealing about this location - look at this freakin' view. The light blue lake you see in the distance is Lake James. It might be possible to have some views from the cabin we're considering with some thinning of trees down slope from the cabin (perhaps on a clear night to see the lights of the Charlotte skyline).

A map of the Silver Creek development on the back of the lodge.

As a point of reference, here is a Google Earth view of the three properties we've thus far considered (Cascades, Grandview Peaks on Joe Branch Rd., and Silver Creek just off Roper Hollow Rd.)

Here is a GIS view of the three plots that make up the land on which the chalet sits that makes up the 1.99 acres.

Found out you could also overlay an arial photograph on the GIS plot so here it is.

So, my wife got me hooked on web gis sites and so I found the one for Burke County, NC, and pasted together about five shots of Silver Creek.

Cynthia found this Terraserver image and I took the topological survey and overlaid the image - didn't know we were close to "Swayback Knob."

THANKSGIVING 2006

Here's the day after Thanksgiving crew at the cabin on Swayback Knob above Roper Hollow; (lft-rt) Jan, Andrew, Frances, Kim, Elizabeth, Debbe, Ada, Andy, Bert, Cynthia and I (Cynthia and I are the ones with eyes like deer in headlights contemplating our investment.

I hope this is a sign that the kids will love this place!

Andrew playing among the rocks on the side of the cabin.

Elizabeth on the cabin deck - check out that smile and the beautiful blue sky in the mountains.

Frances (sister) and Andy (realtor) confabbing in the kitchen.

The front of the cabin; that retaining wall will be removed and grading will be done with a French drain installed to remove water flow from the front of the house (and hopefully dry out the basement after $4K of work).

A view of the great room from the stairway.

A view of the great room from the hallway.

Secondary source of heat for the cabin should the power go out.

Got to get this upside down horse shoe righted so the luck for this cabin turns around.

Contemplating the work that needs be done in the kitchen.

Water heater and above plumbing.

New "well saver" in the utility room next to the water heater.

Alright, another fixer upper project - a ratty old Kenmore frig that needs repainting and new door seals.

Lots of cleaning to do - the stove had a bunch of grease and grim everywhere (guess you don't clean up if you've been foreclosed upon).

One example of continued water issues in the basement that we'll fix.

Winter view down the road from our house - down hill side.

Winter view down the road from the community lodge.

Down the deck view towards the south I believe.

Winter view of the deck and our surrounding property.

Winter view across the street from our cabin.

Winter view on the up hill side of the cabin.

Our nearest neighbors, the Mees, have a very nice place that is extremely well kept.

More of the Paul and Gladys Mees' property.

Afternoon view from the Silver Creek lodge.

Now "aint" that beautiful.

The twilight/night view from the lodge at Silver Creek.

MOVE IN - DEC 12, 2006

We got a load of fire wood from Daniel Roper. Daniel, his father Dennis, and their friend Jim helped us out of a problem when I got stuck climbing the mountain with a U-Haul on the back of my Expedition. I had too much faith in my ability and that of my SUV and not enough respect for the mountain. Daniel also helped unload our trailer after towing it to the cabin with the family Ford F250 4x4...and then took it back down for me. We're indebted to the Ropers for much. What a great family. The day was the coldest of the season and the cabin heat didn't work. Stacking all this wood helped heat me up...for a while. Javier Guzman of Comfort Zone heating and air-conditioning saved us and spent 3 hrs repairing a leaking high pressure value coil, replacing a contactor, refilling the refrigerant, fixing the heat element sequencer and rewiring the heat elements. What an adventure!

After about a day of work the broken toilet flange was replaced, the new Hardie backer board is installed, and the toilet rebuilt and reinstalled - whew! Now to install the tile and marble threshold and then to remove the wall paper and replace the tub surround with tile.

The fun part of a bathroom fix - crawling under the toilet thank to get the tank bolts tightened (less water go gushing all over the place).

Well, the Super Wal-Mart in Hickory, NC, didn't have the bunkbed. Then, the Wal-Mart in Morganton didn't - so they let me call the Super Duper Wal-Mart in Forest City, NC, where they had one and put it on hold for me as I drove the hour south to get the bed. It took 3 hours to put the gazillion parts together. The final product seems quite sturdy (revenge from Viet Nam).

My mother and sister spent the better park of 2 days cleaning the cabinet interiors, putting self liner in the cabinet interiors, washing the dishes and glasses, putting them away, cleaning the grime off the upper cabinets and using Murphy's Oil Soap. The stove and oven are much cleaner but the dish washer is another issue. Oh, the refrigerator is clean and usable inside but the outside is rusted. I have appliance epoxy to paint the frig (two cans on the right) when the weather gets nicer this summer and we can open the windows.

Oh, the vinyl floor was scrubbed and looks nice at this point.

The wood stove in the great room.

Frances bought us the coffee table as a house warming present. It really makes the great room look nice and goes great with our green couches.

Cynthia and I purchased the matching sofa table. I rewired the lamp and replaced the light bulb socket and topped with a new woven lamp shade.

My grandmother made this granny square afghan; she's been gone for 4 years now but still with me in many ways.

A view of the great room the morning prior to leaving our cabin on Dec. 12, 2006.

Mom getting ready to leave the cabin after spending 5 days working very hard - she was a trooper and all at 70 years of age (I hope I hold up as well...won't happen...but I can hope).

This plaque says it all; every time there was a challenge on this trip a solution was found.

What a great morning view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

A panorama photo from in front of our cabin stitched together.

CHRISTMAS/NEW YEARS - DEC 27, 2006 - JAN 3, 2007

Sunrise at Silver Creek Christmas/New Years 2006.

Looking down the hill at our cabin in NC.

Andrew sliding down the bannister at the cabin (or getting splinters).

Sunrise on the mountain across the street from our cabin

Winnie enjoying some time at our cabin.

Millie looking out the French doors at the cabin.

Exploring the SC property should be fun. Take a look at the wonderful rocks with a spring coming out underneath.

We have started to fine the "deals" on the furniture we need for the cabin. This table, originally $430, was purchase for $88!

A nice gift from my in-laws, a clock with our favorite breed.

Civil War figure, Lafayette Lane's homestead is a close walk from the property.

This would be the "frig" used by the Lane's (granite box in the ground where spring water flows)

Another beautiful sunset at the cabin.

Moonset across the road from our cabin.

SPRING VISIT - APR 19-22, 2007

Newly graded right side of our cabin property...and a few leaves.

Andrew with his choice of anti-weed weapons.

"I'm gonna jump dad...I'm gonna jump.

The old deck was removed to facilitate access to the foundation so it could be sealed and a french drain installed; there was quite a bit of rot after 22 years so most of the structure and deck boards were replaced.

Major work was done on this side of the cabin; the stairs and small deck that once served the utility room (before the basement was closed in) were removed and the entire side was re-graded to slope away from the foundation and a french drain also installed all the way down.

A view of the left side from the top - since this photo was taken, grass seed was sewn and straw covering added.

Another left view noting the T1-11 that needs replacing on the basement siding (the old stairway and deck kept moisture up against the siding promoting the rot.

Lonnie Edwards did a great job on the grading, foundation, french drain and deck work; the rock slope was saved and the left over gravel from the french drain install was added to the access road leading to the "lower 40" at the basement level.

More of the right side; there use to be a mound here that sloped towards the cabin...not any more.

A view of the back of the cabin - we need to get the back sealed and re-stained.

Pine trees near the edge of the basement level property.

This is the small left side deck and stairs along with salvaged materials from the old front deck; we plan on repurposing the materials and move it towards the edge of the basement level as a place to have a BBQ or to watch birds.

Well, I'm not slow, just methodical - I finally remounted the master bedroom closet doors (most likely removed by the company hired by the credit union that installed the carpet).

NC is a great place to find quality furnishing for great prices! This trip we purchased four pieces at the Broyhill Warehouse Center in Hickory - this wonderful black octagon lamp table was one of them.

Two of the Broyhill pieces were these two book cases in that newly distressed look (burgundy over cream).

The final Broyhill piece was the night stand for Elizabeth's room - we all love the wicker accent drawer.

Yup, I got this Yorkie plaque Christmas and decided to add it to my collection on the mountain (we have that Yorkie clock above that wags its tail).

Another reason to love NC and north SC - Jack in the Box! Cynthia and I grew up in SoCal and were weaned on Jacque in L'Carton - especially those deep fried tacos....Mmmmm!

SUMMER 07A - JUN 11-JUL 10, 2007

The front of our mountain cabin - summer 07; according to Rusty Baker and his GPS the cabin is at 2643' in elevation.

Tooling around the mountain on my ATV.

Mugging on the ATV for my wife Cynthia.

Andrew and I at an overlook near Little Switzerland, NC.

Andrew at the Bon Ami mine at Emerald Village, NC.

The entrance of the Bon Ami mine after a 30 ft drop in the water level made possible by the addition of a drainage culvert (during the time this hole was mined the spring was diverted).

Andrew inside of Bon Ami dig.

Another hole by the Bon Ami mine.

This dig is the site of the gem flumes where we bought our bucket of dirt.

Andrew and I looking for shining rocks to keep.

Our dear friends the Bakers visited the cabin and gave us the wonderful "Welcome" sign to make our cabin more home-like.

We found this Yorkie throw at a nearby textile wholesale warehouse (we love anything York-i-fied).

In addition to the cabin, Cynthia and I gave one another this remote controlled fan/light for the cabin master bedroom; the folks at the Morganton Lowe's are getting to know us by name!

Cynthia, Frances and Andrew play uno on the 4th of July at the cabin.

The biggest job of mowing the yard at the cabin is brushing off all the clay dust afterwards.

30 amp switch wired in-line with the H2O heater for ease of winterizing.

Still trying to get the laundry in the basement in shape after years of water infiltration.

A summer view from the mountain.

Cynthia and Andrew on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

A lookout along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

A view of Table Rock from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Well, another project that picked me; after removing the rotting T1-11 siding I found that the framing had dry rot and the insulation was in need of replacement.

After the framing was redone, the siding replaced, the below grade wood coated with tar, flashing added, two sheets of plastic were added (the "real" fix would be to block up the foundation - but that is out of the current budget and for a future time).

The one side of the cabin foundation painted "Mudslide" brown; additionally, corner trim boards were added to tie the siding into the block foundation peers (left of gutter down spout).

The insulation was replaced behind the siding.

The east side of the cabin with the rotten siding replaced and painted.

Some of the excess insulation was used to freshen-up some areas of the basement.

Some additional shelving was added to the basement.

A side trip was made with Uncle Dale and Aunt Carol to the Billy Grahm Library in Charlotte, NC.

Our west side yard (something killed that tree in front).

More of our west side yard.

Lattice was added under the west side deck to create a "car port" for the ATV and riding mower.

Much to the surprise of my wife there was a Timber Rattle Snake waiting to greet her one morning as she prepared to paint the railing on our deck.

Thank goodness for the zoom feature on my camera.

The rattler away from the cabin - you might say he was "beat."

Cynthia thought it would be good to add rocks to the side of the deck the snake visited.

Andrew enjoying swimming in the mountain pool.

Another day at the pool.

Ah, the view!

Queen Ann's Lace coming up near our wood pile out back.

Another interesting sunset on Sway Back Knob.

SUMMER 07B JUL 28-AUG 5, 2007

During our trip up this time our friend and excavation contractor, Lonnie Edwards, shared some of the photos he took during the grading around the cabin and the significant French drain that was installed.

This is the "up-side" of the cabin on the mountain (east side); the French drain was installed all the way down after the grade was sloped away from the structure.

Another of the east side; the block was sealed and multiple layers of visqueen was added

One more view of the wet side of the property.

The front of the cabin received a significant French drain that required the deck be removed (the old one was replaced with new "PT" as 22 years of weather wasn't kind to the decking).

A view of the front drain from the west looking east.

The front again looking from the east to the west; thus far the basement is now dry!

Alas, there is a Super Nintendo at the cabin.

It's amazing what a 30 year old Snapper mower can do on the side of a mountain.

Another photo of the "historic" Snapper in action.

One of the more cloudy afternoons during our third stay at our cabin this summer.

The kids enjoying the cool clear water by splashing each other in the pool their dad helps maintain on the mountain.

Our next project, a "fixer-upper" on Enola Rd. in Burke County (not really).

My sister Frances reminding the kids to brush their teeth.

NC is a great place to go mining for gems; this place was near Franklin, NC.

Our senior lady Yorkie, Winnie, trying to see what is beyond the railing of the front deck.

A new hamper for the master bathroom from my mom - fits great.

Morning at Sway Back Knob.

A street sign at Silver Creek Community.

Silver Creek is surrounded on three sides by State Park or Game Preserves.

Wonderful wild flowers in bloom late summer on the mountain.

More cool sunsets from the lodge at the top of the mountain.

Another sunset from on top.

THANKSGIVING 07 NOV 21-25, 2007

Views from on-top of the mountain.

I sure wish the lighting could be captured by my Canon digital camera!

This is towards the west from near the Lee's cabin.

That is Lake James in the distance.

Our $22 lamp find at the Kincade furniture store in Hickory (orig. $309)

Some Christmas decorations starting to go up...more to come at Christmas!

Cynthia chopping wood for the first time to make some starter wood for our wood stove.

Cynthia's success dance after chopping wood for the first time.

A damp morning on Sway Back Knob with ATV.

CHRISTMAS 07/NEW YEARS 08 DEC 27, 2007 - JAN 3, 2008

The cabin late December 2007 - note hose crossing the road; that is our water supply as the community well was dry at our home (thanks to the Mees and Keels we didn't have to turn around and go home).

Sliver Creek Lane at sundown with water hose in foreground (our cabin water supply).

Water connection into the Mees' hose bib.

Afternoon view of the cabin in the South Mountains of North Carolina.

Morning view of the cabin in 2008.

When I first plugged something into the outlet on the west side of the cabin inch long sparks flew out at me - this is after I rewired the outlet and used a proper exterior housing.

This flood light was wired directly, no switch, into the kitchen outlet on the other side of the wall - not any more - along with a proper housing being installed

Another flood light on the cabin - this was added to give light to the lower part of the property and to the side where our dogs go out at night (replacing a 80s vintage porch light...that was very ugly).

Four months later the new siding looks good and there is no water leakage.

The lattice on one side of the deck makes for an ersatz garage for our riding mower and ATV.

West view of the cabin from the lower part of the property.

During our last two days on the mountain the Blue Ridge Mtns. gathered a few feet of snow (and our last day it was 11 degrees farhenheit outside when I got out of bed).

Elizabeth and I on our ATV enjoying a CCCCCOOOOLD ride around the mountain (eyes watering and noses running).

Sundown on Silver Creek Lane.

24 FEB 2008

During a brief fly by our cabin I went up on the mountain to check everything out.

The cabin was solid even though there had been 50+ mph wind storms a few weeks earliet (and some tree were observed topped on the N.E. facing slopes on the way up).

On my way out of town on Hwy 70 just west of Hickory, I spotted a place that sold grey market Japanese "kei" trucks (DEC - Drilling Equipment Company); I want to get one of these for the cabin - they have about a 600cc three cylinder engine, seat two, haul 1000 lbs., both tail gate and sides on the bed fold down to create a flat bed, 4x4, have heat, radio and some have a/c... all for about $4500 - beats the price of the other option of side-by-side UTVs).

12-18 MAY 2008

A view from the top of the Brauer lot; the Brauers are building a new cabin on the mountain - the high up in the property yet!

Another view of the foundation excavation; the cabin will have a full basement to be finished later.

Old French door frame about to be removed.

Well, water damaged French door usually means water damaged rim joist under the door - - oh joy.

New rim joist being cut for under the door.

The happy replacement crew Kenny Martin and Curtis Hildebran (my nephew).

Interior view of the new French door the night, er, morning it was installed - 4am EST

Door and flashing are in but siding needs a bit of work; the old cedar siding is very brittle so care is taken to damage as few as possible - at $9 for a 7" wide by 8' long clapboard.

New siding on after the door was installed and foamed.

My pet skink was following me all around the deck during the finishing work on the door install.

Exterior after the door install, siding replacement and some stain on the new and newly exposed wood.

A new lot on the west end of Silver Creek Lane; you have to love the view of the mountains of Western NC from up here in the South Mtns.

View from the new lot - amazing.

And for those down times - an IKEA bent wood chair in which to read and relax.

16 JUNE - 27 AUGUST 2008

Mountain Pool, July 4, 2008

Bessie and Millie at the cabin during summer vacation

Cabin during the summer of 2008

"End cap special" tiles set in first floor bathroom

The new tile finished with "biscut" grout - only the trim needs be painted

Old frig door painted with "chaulkboard black" paint to cover rust spots...so much better (it still runs so why replace it)

A bit of personality added with notes and magnetic poetry

We saw some kyackers during our visit to Wilsons Creek - very cool hand paddles

I uncovered a mountain laurel on our property that once had a rock planter surround that I reconstructed

Mom gave us one of her old bird feeders to put up at the cabin - the squirrels found it first but eventually the birds started to use it about a week later

There is a plethra of animal life on the mountain; this trip we spied a bobcat out our kitchen window one morning (in addition to having to take care of a timber rattler again near our front porch)

The mountain views are green and beautiful from our community

Sunset from about the same location on our mountain

View from the pool on a very clear summer day (usually much more "smokey" - they call them the Smokey Mtns for a reason)

At about $4 ea., these vinyl blinds are the ticket for the basement windows

The old east side deck finally has chopped legs courtesy of a sawsall and a farm jack (with some 4x4s for cribbing) - - now only to level it and set it on foundation piers

The new H2O heater is installed and operative on newly constructed base of pressure-treated wood

This Broyhill heirloom collection headboard was originally $500, on sale for $260...but then special for $149 - - we got the last one at the outlet center for $49 (some inserts installed and then bolts to the bed frame made it ready for Zzzzzs)

A hornet's nest in our master bathroom window being removed, after the hornets were long sence toast

Two stories in the air and repairing, reglazing and painting an old double-hung window (oh joy)

A view from inside as I remove a pane of glass from a double-hung window in Andrew's room

Cynthia and Elizabeth at Lake James State Park

Moon rise on the mountain the summer of 08

Elizabeth and Andrew enjoying the mountain pool

The new wire shelf in the basement; this space use to be REALLY grose but now is a very workable laundry room (still need to replumb that work sink)

On a trip up past Lake Lure and Batcave, NC, I spied this falling down inn

A Rugid dump cart is very useful behind an ATV when you're a half-mile up on a mountain

My sister and I with my kids near the mountain lodge

Well, the second timber rattler of the season decided to try and make home on our cabin deck, not successfully thanks to Mr. Remington's 870 12-gage shotgun

This timber rattler was nearly 4 ft. in length and had 10 rattles and a button

I replaced the french doors in May but needed to blend in the stain on the cedar siding on the west side of the cabin (and now the rest of the cabin needs such TLC)