way to go marshall. thanks. now for the on-site setting today. woohoo!

I don't want to scoop Ami's next blog entry, but CRG is sending me photos from the site via cell phone as the installation happens today. I'll post them as I get them, and then let Ami tell the story with her own photos when she has a chance.

Poor image quality, big files. That's what you get from cell phone companies that charge by the Kilobyte!

Just caught the drama unfolding... thanks for posting the pictures Marshall.

Notice the hat in the foreground, juxtaposed to the tiny figure on the mound to the left, juxtaposed to the actual module (14' x 48'). It's big!

there to protect the metal from benging during craning?

...it's actually part of the roof structure, not the roof finish. We do not apply the roof finish at the factory as it would make the module too wide to get down the highway. So, in subsequent shots over the next couple of weeks, you'll see this wood "disappear" behind the final roof finish as it is applied.

Marshall

Ami, Christa, & Sally - How wonderful a day for you! Congrats - you're now on the downhill side of it all! Boy is the stride to the finish line rewarding!

[Ami - You look so much like Jimmy in this photo :) he he]

just in case... you RESEMBLE Jimmy - you dont look like him! What you do look like is happy - so good to see!

Well, I like to think that Jim looks like me since I do have a few years on him. :)

Yes, we are very excited and now that the house is here, our optimism has been buoyed (as now we have proof that we really are building a house)! It will be exciting to see the day-to-day progress on the house and lot (and we're very confident in our GC and think he's going to do a great job as he has done so up to now).

Thanks for following the story and all your comments! We thought we would make it down to SF in May, but I think now that the house is here and we're under the gun to finish things up, we can't afford to ditch Seattle for a weekend.

But next time we're down there or you're up here...

Yes - there is so much going on - why leave the excitement? I completely agree that it is great to stay and watch all the pieces being put together. A really great time....

Mike actually just asked me yesterday about you guys coming down. What timing!

Yes, definately the next time we're in Seattle or the next time you're in SF... :) Can't wait to see your home!

Hello from Seattle, Heart felt congratulations on making your dream a reality! What beautiful smiles! I would love to come to the open house this summer. How do I get on the guest list? Calyn email wahinelvr@comcast.net

Thanks for choosing to build sustainably. Congratulations on your new home too! How do I find out about an open house if you will be having one? Do you want any visitors now who would be curious to see the unfinished results? I will stay out of the way... Elizabeth inboxdesign@earthlink.net

Hi Elizabeth,

Thanks for asking about open houses. Crista and I plan to do a couple of open houses over the next several months (once we are moved and settled in, which won't be before the end of June).

To keep up-to-date on open houses, please sign up for the Glidehouse newsletter, and you might want to drop Marshall a note as well. I believe that Marshall will most likely send out an email to Glidehouse subscribers when we're ready to have the first open house.

Until then, we're really trying to stay out of the contractor's way. The roof is half complete, and the deck is being built. Plumbing trenches have been built, electrical is almost done, and the site is being graded. So things are busy and not in the best shape to view right now! :)

Ami

Dear Ami,

I hope you're home is complete? I'll bet it's been a long challenging road! So, I am interested in Glidehouses but I would really like to see some prior to making the big decision. I just signed up for the Glidehouse newsletter and will check in with Marshall as well.

I just wanted to find out if you are planning any open houses prior to end of Summer, or if I may have already missed my chance.

Thank you,

Matthew

Matthew,

Sorry that Ami did not reply. I know she's quite busy

and anxious to move into her Glidehouse before she opens it up to visitors.

We are working out the details of her first open house. Please subscribe to the Glidehouse News (see newsletter, far left column) to be notified of the next open house.

Marshall

Hello My partner and I live in Seattle but I have some Vashon Island land and am extremly interested in your dwelling and the process. King County here is notoriously slow to approve any plans so I am especially thrilled you were able to press on. I love that it is green as well. I will leave my addy in hopes you might be willing to share more details. Thanks Carole charde8@hotmail.com

Hi Carole,

Thanks for your message. Actually, we were really pleased with how quickly King County approved our permits. It was something like 18 days! It helped that this was a modular project (and thus already had state inspections and approval). Basically, all King County had to do was approve the foundation.

Also, we built in an already developed subdivision, so there was precedent set for having houses built. If your land is very raw and there is no water/well, no sewer/difficult septic soil conditions, and no electricity/gas availability, the process will be more difficult and expensive.

But as you know, Vashon is a great place. If you build, it will also help if your land is such that the modules DO NOT have to be craned onto your foundation. To avoid craning, the big semi trucks need to be able to get parallel to the foundation (for a "roll set").

Hope that helps a bit!

Ami