Photo taken in April 2012
My parents bought the little red cabin by the sea nearly 40 years ago. It was a dream come true for my mother, who wanted to provide a get away by the ocean for her family.
Her legacy has served three generations very well. As the family grew with kids and grandkids and cousins galore, more sleeping space was desired. It was finally decided to lift the roof and make a full two story out of the sleeping loft up stairs.
One thing led to another, and as the thinking went "if we can do this, maybe we can do this", until the construction grew into something much bigger. Permits had been obtained, but the city of Rockaway Beach now claimed that the construction had exceeded the original plan, and in fact now added an increase if 50% of the value.
That 50% was a magic number, a number that required the cabin to be lifted above the tidal surge flood stage. This was news to us, and we fought city hall, but lost. Now we were looking at $30,000 to $40,000 in construction costs in addition to the original second story expansion.
The process has taken three years, but it is now nearing completion. The cost was covered by our mother's legacy too, as she lived frugally and saved money to pass on to her children. We returned some of that money to save the cabin.
Photo taken February 23, 2015
The framing of the upstairs and the lifting of the cabin were contracted out. But there was much finishing left to do. President's Day weekend, the crew assembled.
Dads, Uncles, Grandpas, sons, nephews, cousins, the men of the clan came together to spend their vacation working together .
They rewired under the cabin, insulated and finished off the underside.
Upstairs, they installed pine paneling, cutting and fitting all the angles.
Trim will still have to be added, but the results and wonderful.
I wasn't there for the work weekend, of course, but Tom was, and he unintentionally left his Samsung tablet there. That's his reader as well as his email and Facebook source, so of course we had to go back and get it. We just got back from our three day weekend there, with sunshine and beach walks and sunsets and everything you could hope for on a February weekend by the sea.
More beach photos to come.
What a wonderful place! I'm glad it has been raised up so it won't be damaged by anything, now. And your team of family did a great job! You are very fortunate to have such a getaway, Linda, but you already knew that. :-)
ReplyDeleteHow very lucky you are to have a seaside cottage to go to. And kudos to all those guys coming together to work on it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful retreat for all to enjoy! We have similar v groove pine and custom made all our own trim. It was much cheaper that way. Those city ordinances are tough to fight. Shoreland management is quite the thing...seashore and lakes the regulations are getting tougher all the time. :)
ReplyDeleteIt may seem expensive now, but will be worth it for the future generations and for now, of course. It looks amazing! I love seeing all the photos. You are so lucky to have such a handy family who are so accomplished.
ReplyDeleteI remember you writing about this special family treasure before. The cabin, the money to have it raised and the many fond memories are a wonderful legacy but perhaps the greatest of all things that your mother left is a beautiful family that works together cooperatively and the love you all share. Thanks for giving us glimpses!
ReplyDeletehow fun that you got the opportunity to return and enjoy such a lovely family cabin!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great legacy. Love those sexy men working. Nothing impresses me more than construction! You all can be very proud.
ReplyDeleteWhat would your mother say about it now? Lovely work.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful family and legacy worth preserving. They certainly did an amazing job. Your mom's spirit is alive in that legacy and I am sure it is smiling.
ReplyDeleteLoved your photos, and what a great way for all to enjoy the cabin. This is a very special legacy from your family.
ReplyDeleteThat is the most adorable cabin by the sea I've ever seen! You have such a special family. I love how you all come together to work or to have fun. Gosh, I could live in that cabin!
ReplyDeleteGreat work on the cabin. Wow for the sunset photography. Those would look good on the walls of the cabin.
ReplyDeleteThat little red cabin by the sea certainly has grown and can now server the family that also grew. Love that paneling.
ReplyDeleteCan totally see why you love that place.
Wonderful cabin and a great gift from your mother and from each other to get it together. A real family treasure.
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