Wednesday, June 6, 2007

A New Shack

As I mentioned in my last post, my Dock Shack was torn down recently and a new structure built in its place.  This had been long overdue and, even though I was a displaced person for a few months, it was a good thing.  Here is a picture of my old dock shack in its glory days.  Notice the awning over the front of the shack.  That was my idea; there was no awning when I took this job seven years ago.

The day finally came for me to clear out of the old Shack.  A temporary pod was dropped off for me to occupy during the building phase.  I liked it, but in spite of the promise that I would have plenty of notice and time to move out of the old shack, I was informed I had an hour to move out before they were to haul it away.  So, I threw everything into some boxes we scrounged up and got out.  I also spent the next 12 weeks trying to find everything that was tossed haphazardly into those boxes.  To this day I still can’t find some of those items.  

They decided to try and move the old shack in one piece in the hopes that it could be put to some use in a new home somewhere.  I found out later that the guy they hired to haul it away lowered his bid for the job with the provision that he got possession of the old shack.  Personally, I say more power to him.  That shack had more spiders living in it than Carter had pills.  Some were poisonous.  Here they are putting a strap around the shack to keep it on the forks of the forklift.

It looked like it was going to be lifted with no problem, but that was not to be.

The shack was too heavy and everyone in the immediate area was pressed into service to hang on to the back of the forklift to try and budge the little building.

You can see here how small the footprint was that the old shack left.  It measured six feet by eight feet.  About the average size of a jail cell, I’ve been told. I can’t tell you how many thousands of hours I spent in that cell; sometimes, during the summers, six of us would squeeze in at one time if it started to rain.

They finally got it over to the flat bed truck and loaded it on.  I said my final good bye with a big smile on my face.

Then the building project began.  The job took longer than originally estimated because one of the building crew quit the day before this project was due to begin.  There was a crew of two who built this from start to finish except for the subcontracted brick work and roofing work.  Look at how small the old shack’s footprint looks as the new foundation dwarfs it.

   

The frame took on the appearance of a skeleton at first.

Then the plywood sheets that would form the outer walls were applied and it started to look like a kid’s fort or tree house project.

Next we add a roof just for good measure.

    

The building is being built up high off the ground to comply with the building codes for hurricane protection.  Remember, we are on the coast here.  So the second picture above is of the porch you step on to enter and exit the building.  In the next shot we add the insulation and hurricane proof windows.

The next step is to add Steps and railings.

Concrete siding is applied and then it is painted.

    

The finished product is one of the best built buildings I have ever seen.  The quality of craftsmanship that went into this was well worth the wait.  If I were to be stuck on this property in the path of an approaching hurricane, this is the building I would take cover in, it is built that strong!

My office is the door on the left and the Ship’s Store is the door on the right.  There is an adjoining door between them inside the building.   Here is a picture of the inside of the Ship’s Store.  Not all of the fixtures have arrived yet and nor all of the planned stock, but you can get an idea of the feeling and look that the store will have.

So, that is how my winter was spent this year.  Listening daily to the sounds and enjoying the sights of a new building taking shape.  Good grief!  It just about drove me insane!

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ah but worth it, beautiful building.  After talking about building a three season porch off our kitchen and dining room for years, finally the project will start in July....I am so excited!!!!
Betty

Anonymous said...

I see you graduated out of a dinky cell into a larger one.  :)  Good for you!  I'm glad you have a little more space.  Seeing a couple red x's instead of pics but getting the idea.  Nice new home away from the new home
hugs
d

Anonymous said...

Wow....that is certainly a huge improvement over the old work space....I bet you are loving it!!

Take care,
Tracie

Anonymous said...

Now this was worth the wait...what an awesome outcome!  Hope you have a wonderful summer in your new Dock Shack...enjoy!!!
Take care...
Joyce

Anonymous said...

How wonderful Sam ,from your little shack to your new custom built  grandeur,you must think youve  died and gone to heaven .Loved the phrase 'more than Carters pills! ' (were they the little liver pills ? )Enjoy your new domain ...love Jan xx

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed seeing the steps taken from the old to the new building. I like the new one so much better. You have some nice bigger windows to look out. Hopefully you won't have a hurricane to have to watch out for. Hope the new owners of the old building gets rid of all those spiders. Enjoy your new work place this summer. Helen

Anonymous said...

As always, visiting here lifts my spirits. There is always something new to look forward too, interesting things. The new shack is terrific. I am sure you'll enjoy it far more than the old one. Take care, Sam. Have an AWESOME day.
Hugs, love and prayers,
Barb- http://journals.aol.com/barbpinion/THERESTOFTHESTORY

Anonymous said...

Wow! Love your new building!! We just broke ground here yesterday for a brand new barn and I plan to take photos of the steps as it is built too....

Anonymous said...

We've rented a bus. Everyone in J-Land is coming to visit.  Keep the light on for us.

Mrs. L

Anonymous said...

Now that is a nice cozy place to work. Great view and you get paid for it. You are one lucky guy my friend. I envy you. Tammy

Anonymous said...

Hi Sam, I'm so happy they've got it finished, it looks lovely now! I can imagine how hot the other place got in the summer, I think when I came to see you they were doing the steps, it was nice to see it in real life and now when it's finished. I bet you feel good about working in there now, it's like a promotion isn't it?! An hour to pack and move out?! That's fast moving! I hope one day you'll find some of your lost items! Jeannette xx  http://journals.aol.co.uk/jlocorriere05/Welcometomytravels/  

Anonymous said...

What a nice, comfortable looking building.  When do you get to move in ?   Hopefully the spiders won't gather in this building.   Linda in Washington state

Anonymous said...

Sam, The old building is the smallest I have ever seen. How did you do it for so many years?  The new building is very nice and I know will be a pleasure to work in.  Anne

Anonymous said...

Wow, that really looks nice....I did think the little shack was cute...Ü  
I really like how you presented the whole entry.  Wonderful shots!
Where are you going to put your chair?? Is there room on the deck?
Good Luck & enjoy~
Marie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariebm56/PhotographsMemoriesToo/

Anonymous said...

Sam, good luck to you with your new home away from home. If you cn't enjoy that sent it up t ome it would look good on the golf course. Bill

Anonymous said...

Well, the old building did look cosy, but the new one is better, I think at any rate.

Anonymous said...

Having been in the old one, I can really appreciate this.  It looks great.  Congrats.  Lynn

Anonymous said...

Wow!  That looks great!!  Snazzy!
Lori

Anonymous said...

Very cool!

Anonymous said...

    It seems to me that to work out by the water as you do would be a very pleasant way to spend a day. And if you have to be stuck in a building, this one looks to be as pleasant as one could find considering the size. Better than a 6x8 cell. Have a great day!
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay

Anonymous said...

wow
quite an upgrade!
Marti

Anonymous said...

Sam I really enjoyed seeing all of your pictures ~ and watching them take away your old shack ~ and construct your new one (I would call it a Mansion) compared to the old one ~ and it is nice to know it has been built so well and you would be safe if ever you were stuck in the path of a hurricane ~ hope those spiders don't want to move back in ~
Ally

Anonymous said...

Sort of like moving out of a FEMA trailer and into your completed home!!!  I think I know how you feel.  Great pictures and commentary!!

Anonymous said...

WTG!!

Anonymous said...

Wow...that's a lot of time and work....but alas, it all seemd to pay off in a BIG way!
Nancy

Anonymous said...

I bet it was hard to wait but wow that looks really good :) Congrats on your new place!

Gretchen

Anonymous said...

What made it interesting for me is the way you were able to describe what was taking place while the building was being erected.

Having said that, what do you do in the building and what is it's purpose?

John.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that old shack was small!  Never knew that...

But the awning, that was a much needed, great idea with that Georgia sun!  Not too mention being able to stand there under when it was really hot, humid and raining... lol.

The new place looks really nice.  Love the store.. it has an old-time general store feel...  Bet your office is its own sweet setup ;)

Didn't know about concrete siding, either.  Nice and safe for the many projected water storms this season.  And I see a lot of metal adhering the building to the foundation, so not as many worries as in your old place.

Hope you like it and the store thrives!

Cat

Anonymous said...

WOW! What an improvement, definitely worth the wait. Oh yeah, I know what would have become of the old shack...you know it, a Chicken House! It would have been perfect! Minus the spiders thankyou..lol.

Anonymous said...

Amazing how you took the story of that little shack being forklifted away, and the newer, nicer place being built, and made it all so interesting!  I really enjoyed reading about that!  Probably more so than you did waiting for the new one to be built! lol

Very nice!

Jackie

Anonymous said...

wow...this looks better than the old shack..nice pictures.
Gem :-)

Anonymous said...

Wow thats fantastic I love your new shack Sam! Loved the pictures seeing it develop. Love Laine xxxx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/elainey2465/art-degree/

Anonymous said...

Hi Sam I found this very interesting with all the pictures along the way ,your new shack looks just great ,thanks for sharing it with us ,best wishes ..Jean

Anonymous said...

Hallo Sam.  MY my, what  a wonderful shack you have.  I would drop by and browse inside your store, no doubt will pick up a bargin or two, three, ten, 100.  You need a huge bottle to open it with, like a ship christening.  You know when they smash a bottle on a new ship.  A wish-me-luck thing.  Anyway, that was interesting reading, I enjoy reading your stories.  shona

Anonymous said...

Sam, this was very interesting to read about and see.  The pictures are great!  Have you printed and hung one of the old and one of the new inside the store?  I am a dock store rat ... love the darned little (and not so little) places.  'They' always have just what you need and lots of interesting conversation to go along with it.

Anonymous said...

Well, I've been absent a short while, but it's good to know that you've settled into the new digs. Don't worry too much about finding the lost items...enjoy the new place!

Good illustrated story :)

Anonymous said...

I was going to tell you how cute and appealing the old dock shack looked - - until you mentioned the spiders! That did it for me.........

Anway, the new one looks fantastic! Hopefully it's bug-proof . The photos are great!    Jon

http://journals.aol.com/jayveerhapsody/LoneStarConcerto/

Anonymous said...

Gosh, Sam, what a difference!  I can't imagine living on a yacht.  You seem to have lived a varied and fascinating life!  Your new Dock Shack really looks nice.  Thanks for visiting my journal!

Anonymous said...

That is looking really cool.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/acoward15/andy-the-bastard

Anonymous said...

Hi Sam, just popping in to say hallo, so to you hallo!! ha ha. shona

Anonymous said...

It looks great Sam!  Looks like it was worth all the work

Derek
http://deveil.wordpress.com/

Anonymous said...

THE OLD 6 BY 8 FOOT SHACK TO BE THAT HEAVY MUST HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH FRAMING MADE WITH ROUGH CUT OAK LUMBER FROM THE OZARKS. HEAVY.
                                                                                               sam

Anonymous said...

It's all been a bit quiet from you lately. I hope all is well. So what's been happening at the dock?
http://journals.aol.co.uk/acoward15/andy-the-bastard

Anonymous said...

This is FABULOUS!!!! I have only read this entry but something tells me i'm really going to enjoy this Journal of yours!

My Dad owned a boat when i was very very little..and when him and my mother divorced he had to sell it..sto start his life all on his own...and well with his boat went alot of his happiness. I have been a huge lover of boats...the sea, the beach...just the shore in general...I think i'm really going to like this...

I'm sure you have watched or watch "The Deadliest Catch" on A&E! One of my FAVORITE SHOWS!!!

Take care...off to read more.