In early September we packed up and headed back to Lakewood and The Ranch. What we were looking forward to was taking possession of our new location - Site #3. We had our name on that lot should it become available and sure enough in late August it became available. We jumped at the chance. Different type of Casita, with a beautiful view. And trees. And a desert cactus garden.
The real challenge to this casita was the inside. It was basically bare. To the point that I joked the only thing missing was the hay. It did look like the inside of a barn. Well, that was the challenge and we had a good idea of what we wanted it to look like when done, so in early October we began, enlisting the services of a park resident who was quite a bit more proficient than I could even imagine being.
So here is what the inside looked like prior to beginning the project:
And so we began. Over the next few weeks I established quite a relationship with our Local(Carlsbad) Lowes store. To the point that the manager of the building materials dept was addressing me by name when I came by for something. Like 2 x 4's, insulation, ceiling panels, wall paneling, laminated flooring, air gun staples, nails, glue, air conditioner, roof vent.......I must say that the people at Lowes were top notch. So what follows is a progress report.
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| Mary's room with insulation in process |
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| What a mess! Insulation on walls almost done. Ceiling was next. Tough part was working around all of the "stuff". |
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| Another look at the work in progress |
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| MARY'S ROOM NOW HAS A LAMINATED OAK FLOOR |
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| Mary's room now has wall paneling |
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| Mary's room now has a partition and a door |
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| A look at the partition from my side |
And then things really started to come together.....
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| You can just make out the great view she has from her room.... |
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| Almost done and starting to look like something.... |
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| Mary's room - just about complete |
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| THE SHE SHED |
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| THE MAN CAVE |
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| THE MAN CAVE CON'T |
A couple of add-ons for the casita:
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| Air conditioner |
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| An air conditioner for Mary's room |
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| A roof vent to expel all of heat accumulating in the ceiling area |
Previously I mentioned the nice view that Mary had out her back window. Actually she has a really nice cactus garden. .......
We are also very lucky to have (3) good sized Desert Willow trees growing on our lot. They provide in addition to shade and privacy, a nice wind break.
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| Agave |
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| Bunny Ear |
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| Cholla |
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| Claret Cup |
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| Golden Crowned Barrel Cactus |
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| Prickley Pear |
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| Red Yucca |
So there you have it. Our new lot and casita on Lago Vista. We are very excited about it.
