This was what dad & I built last weekend. Would have been nice to have him back this weekend to project manage once again, along with mom, but they're getting ready to head out any day now with the 5th wheel for two weeks, so they weren't up to it. Had I told dad what I had in mind, I know he'd have come anyway, so I didn't. I know mom wanted to stick around home, so I left well enough alone. So here's where it begins, with a load of construction grade heart redwood (conheart); 2x6 & 2x4, all 8 footers. So, what's it gonna be? Any guesses? More photos & descriptions below the fold. Rotor takes time out from stalking squirrel & other small prey to have a look at what I'm up to. Nuke doesn't much care for the noise of construction, so she remains well clear. It just won't do to have visible hardware on the table top, so the drill bit with the tape is the mark to drill down such that the 3 1/2" #10 screws will go just far enough, but not too far. Then, of course, the carriage bolts are recessed, such...

Mom's in Reno visiting her sister, so dad came up to the cabin Saturday, arriving early afternoon. I had designs in mind and he, who turned 70 a few months back, figured prominently in them. As a former rocket technician and then jet engine mechanic, he's the perfect perfectionist. I wanted to get his take before commencing, then it was a trip to the lumber yard and hardware store for the necessary bits & pieces. Dad was project manager, while I did the cutting and operated the screw gun. Here's the result for the two sets of stairs, front & back, that access the deck surrounding the cabin on two sides. Tolerances aren't to absolute perfection, but we both agreed that all was close enough for rocket work. We really had a great time.