The NEW Lodge at Black Rapids

Weekly School Update: Session #6

Session #6: July 24 – July 30

The Brothers Three,

Bent #6 Takes Place

This week’s crew had a special twist to it: all three Hopper brothers were together again. Amidst the groans, there is always a good deal of ribbing and story telling. Michael brother’s Kim arrived from New York and Kevin, from Arizona. Kevin was trying to beat the Arizona heat. Kim was here during the shakedown weeks and could not resist coming back for the final push. (We only missed Nancy and Jude.) Their dedication to the project, hard work and love of this wild area helped boost spirits in an already dedicated crew. Michael and Kim were able to get in an evening hike in their last night. The children joined their uncles and Katie helped oil beams with Uncle Kevin. Vetek rejoined us and has brought his peace and good humor with him once again.

The weather varied as always this season – intermittent rains followed by glorious sunny days. (Rain at night made for great sleeping.) Somehow, by some quirk of providence, the weather has been holding nicely at this particular wrinkle in the earth’s surface; the light shifts, too, at this time of year are spectacular!

The days begin with good coffee, breakfast, and a brisk walk from the cabin to the cars to head on down to the work site. We are all awake by the time we reach the work site, where Michael has the wood stove ablaze and a pot of hot coffee ready to last the morning. A hungry group wolfed down Barbara Mack’s meals every evening. Having someone cook for this crew has been heaven sent!

The Hopper clan took Kevin back to Fairbanks and briefly visited the Tanana Valley Fair. (Even the weather held out for the first day.)

The timber framing group was focused and prepared. Bent #6 – the final one – is complete. Michael and Kim finished the first-floor decking in preparation for the raising of the bents in two weeks! They are now concentrated on the belvedere rafters and hexagon. This will all come together the last week with the bent raisings, scheduled for August 14 – August 20th.

URGENT: We still need volunteers for these last two weeks in all capacities! We hope to have ten to twelve strong people to raise these bents. Do come and join us. It will be a sight to behold.

Photos from Session #6:

[Multiple Pictures]

Articles and Photos:

Introduction
Session #1: June 2 – June 8
Session #2: June 12 – June 18
Session #3: June 23 – June 29
Session #4: July 3 – July 9
Session #5: July 14 – July 20
Session #6: July 24 – July 30
Session #7: August 4 – August 10
Session #8: August 14 – August 20
Session #9: August 18 – August 24
The Final Push: Weeks 10 and 11

Letter to Prospective Students and a Letter from Jon Gantenbein, one of our Timber Framing Instructors.

Sponsored by the Black Rapids Trust, Inc. a newly formed non-profit.