Work Starts at Dr. Jack's

Paul had the opportunity to witness true artistry.  This involved the hand-forged steps for the unique one-of-a-kind sugar pine tree trunk spiral staircase in Dr. Jack's house.

But before the steps were installed, Paul needed to get the drywalling done.  This involved hot mud (WTH?) and a long day from dawn to 'way after dark, working with a portable spotlight.

The area of the hot mud application.  Spotlight in in lower right-hand corner, Paul said it was HOT! 

Closer view of the work area.

And with the final coat of paint, it looks like it's been there all along!

Paul received an invitation to visit the "Mountain Forge" workshop where these custom hand-made steps were created.

 Hans Jr., pounding the iron.

 Super-heating the metal, 2000-2200 degrees F.

  Hans Sr. from Austria and was taught this craft as a kid, is 83 years old and still occasionally makes things the "old way."

 Tony pounding it out on the anvil.  True "old world" style, each made individually...by hand.

"Shop dog."  

Good people, they let Paul use their washer/dryer and shower!

 Progress..actually it's a "process."

Colby positioning the steps, inlaid temporarily with plywood.

Another view of the "process."

Five more steps to go!

An added surprise to the day, Bambi and Mom right outside Jack's window!

And some other "interesting" wildlife too!

Fashionistas, Truckee-style.

Stay tuned for the finished product!

Paul's Journey Back to Truckee!

Now that Trim is all taken care of and in her new home, Paul journeyed back to Truckee, Lake Tahoe to get to work on Dr. Jack's house.

Paul put the extra "Honolulu" sticker on Blue and it looks great!

Coming into Tahoe from South Lake Tahoe, home of the $1.99 prime rib dinners, 25 cent beers and gambling.

Then he arrives at Dr. Jack's house...

The backside of the house that faces Northstar Ski area.

The front of the house, the 3-car garage.

 Blue fits right inside, with lots of room to spare.  Paul, meanwhile, works on assembling his "kitchen" and "bath" area.  

He calls it a "kibath."

Perfect!  The toilet is in the lower left-hand corner, kitchen table with small appliances, borrowed from Trim's galley, and the wash basin.

Such a handy guy!

Another view of the "kibath," showing more counter space and artwork too:  a poster purchased from the Thunderbird Lodge of their famous boat.

Paul met with Dr. Jack today and they are getting plans put together for the one-of-a-kind spiral staircase utilizing a sugar pine trunk.

From the ground floor, looking up towards the 2nd floor...

This is the top of the trunk, on the 3rd floor.  It's beautiful!

Paul also will possibly be doubling as dog-sitter.

Paul with Nora Jones, Dr. Jack's rescue dog.

Looks like love to me!

More to come!

Aloha Trim, Hello Pink Cloud!

I bid "Aloha" to Trimming Out.  She is currently for sale and is moored in the Berkeley Marina.

The jetty entrance to the Berkeley Marina.

Trim is the boat to the left of the dark-colored boat and now sports California registration numbers.

But first, Paul did a bit of touching-up to make her look her best!

 Sanding and teak oiling the rub-rails and retouching the paint.

HEY, that was MY job!

Taking down both the US and Hawaiian flags for the last time...

getting sentimental here.

 A beautiful Berkeley sunset from Trim.

Trim's "neighbor," a Guppy-13.

It's a real boat, the kids sailed it.

And, a final photo of Jan cooking in Trim's galley.

We bid "Goodbye " to Trim where she is with a broker who will find her a new owner...

sniff.

And... head to Napa Valley Marina to...

PINK CLOUD!

No more "Bath, Maine,"

Pink's a local girl now!

Like the teal waterline striping that Paul put on?

 Paul making the custom mahogany bow sprit.

 Rough fit.  

Underneath will be a woven net that we can lay in to watch the dolphins play as we sail.

Pretty cool, huh?

Here's a stock photo I found to sort of give you an idea of the netting underneath.

Freshly painted hull all done! 

Paul applied a chemical paint stripper that bubbles up to remove the old paint on the anchor bow and block.

The anchor chain goes over the rollers.
Pink has 400' of chain and a windlass that, with the push of the foot button, brings up the chain and deposits it into the hold.  Paul plans to add a hose bib so we can spray off any muck/sand.

After much sanding and prepping the bowsprit was restored and painted to how it originally was.  Good old VW van, Blue!

 The custom bow sprit from the underside showing off the chrome rail unit we got at "Second Wave" in Seattle last year.
Paul built the walk platform that now supports the chrome rail and the safety lines will tie into this.

Pink's hull looks GREAT!

 Sunrise off the stern at Napa Valley.

As always, stay tuned as there's more to come!