When houses are constructed in Paterson, the exciting time for all the volunteers is usually when the first wall goes up. Very familiar construction: a frame wall of two by fours, nailed together. Everyone, with hands on the wall, walk it into position and on cue, raise it to vertical. Cheers all around.
Today, in Chiang Mai, we had cheers when the first roof truss was positioned atop of our cement block walls. This isn't so simple...the trusses weigh over 200 pounds each (maybe even 300, but we don't know for certain), have to be cleaned before moving and then because of their width which is more than the house is wide, have to be maneuvered around existing construction and then raised high. Not just one, but three in total to set in place. Cheers all around when the first one was placed.
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| THE WORK TEAM--NEW JERSEY AND GEORGIA FOLKS |
By day's end, with all of the trusses, ridges and even some of the roof pieces in place, Bill rounded us up for this photo. We have a great team working on this house: our NJ group plus a team of 13 from Central Georgia who have traveled together for the last decade working on builds such as this. An incredible amount of talent, drive and energy and wonderful folks as well.
CONGRATULATIONS -- great to see your roof on and the full shape of the house. We are in awe of the physical challenges with this type of building. Can't imagine dealing with those 200+lb trusses in the 90' weather.
ReplyDeleteYou all must be sleeping well at night after all this work!
Barb
I am so very proud of all of you! I know what it is to be in that type of heat - beleive me when I tell you that I would have been calling the elephant wranglers to have their charges hoist those trusses!!!!LOL...In all seriousness, what a wonderful experience. Once in a lifetime - right? Enjoy the wonderful food - I can just picture the fare....Take care and God bless!!
ReplyDeleteXXXOOO Gina
Greetings from Dot and Bob DeBoer:
ReplyDeleteHope all is well with the Team; looks like you're all working hard. Has Craig found a Dunkin Donuts yet? Keep him working Nancy, he tends to slip away per his brother Brad.
Hey, quit dissing my husband, Bob! Can't you see he's becoming Supercraig?
ReplyDeleteIt's just amazing seeing what you've accomplished already. And in that heat! Yikes!! God bless all of you. How are you all tolerating the heat? And how's the food? So neat to see the food tents. Thanks, Bill, for all the great pictures, and Nancy for writing the blog. Makes it feel like we're there with you. Stay well and safe.
And, Craig, you've always been super to me!!! I love you.
Gin