Building a 10' X 10' log cabin up on Bell Mountain

Bruce Bell gave me permission to build a small log cabin up on his mountain near his garden and his wife's grave.

Work commenced last week with marking off the 10' x 10 perimeter just south of the same electrical towers we camped by at Bill Lee's ranch located 8-10 miles directly west. I'm a bit more than a quarter mile up from Bruce's home at the base of the mountain.

As Bruce and I climbed up to the cabin site he noted huge rocks dug up apparently by a large bear looking for ants. He also found bear scat up there too. His 2 dogs Ollie and Zador were acting uneasy too.

Before we started work Bruce handed me a handmade bow and arrow and we both shot arrows using distant pine trees as targets. Zador Bruce's older dog lives for retrieving the shot arrows. It was a blast. I did very well hitting the targets dead on! Bruce wonders if I have some Indian blood in me. Ha-ha!

We selected the site, then marked it with pegs and string after which we found large flat rocks to lay a floor. We will then mix up concrete and spread it out to level the rock floor. Then we will install black plastic over the concrete floor and lay down carpet remnants.

After that we will select 12 or more dead pine trees and use them for the bottom 3 courses on all 4 sides. 3 log posts on all 4 sides will act as studs on which we will nail old recycled graying clapboards for siding.

We located an early 1900s cook stove to use to heat the cabin and cook on.

Access to the cabin is gained by hiking up a narrow  jeep trail Bruce cut out back in 1950.

I plan on wintering in this cabin working on my book and only occasionally hiking into Idaho Springs 4 miles to the west using snow shoes or skis thanks to Bruce Bell.

I've invited my friend, Michael Ellington, from Empire located in western Clear Creek County to camp over a weekend up in the cabin with me. I promised him that free range squirrel and boiled potatoes will be on the menu. Bruce is loaning me one of his 12 gauge shotguns to hunt for food and for protection against the big bruin that's ranging over his mountain.

We should be done in about 3-4 weeks. Then I'll move from the Lucas House and into my new cabin. I'm hoping then to have a place to stay when my circuit brings me back to Idaho Springs. I plan on leaving Idaho Springs come spring/early summer. Where I do not yet know. I may continue west out of Colorado for the west coast or for Slab City.

Then I would like to hike east to the east coast. Then, I think I will head west back to Colorado and continue my mission to the mountain towns.

But, everything is fluid and I can plan and plan but, its God who directs my steps.

It's an 8 mile hike to Bell Mountain and back. So, I'm wore out before I even begin the work day! But, its good for me.

Yesterday Bruce cut some chives, lambs quarter, dandelions, lettuce and wild mustard for me for my dinner. Also had more than a few strawberries Bruce grows down in his garden next to his house. It was one of the best salads I ever ate.

Wednesdays I moderate a book club at the coffee shop at 1230pm. Free coffee for all! We are studying a book about Mary Magdalene. Very interesting subject matter.

Cant wait to experience winter in a small cabin up on the mountain where its not unusual to have 3-5 foot of snow overnight with nothing but the snow, squirrels, birds and bears to keep me company. Plus, Bruce has work projects for us to work on during the winter. We have a rock retaining wall to build on the cliff side near Chee Chee's grave.

I can already hear the howling December wind blowing through the tops of the pine canopy with the coyotes yipping and the heavy wet snow blowing against the north side of my cabin while I'm busy writing my book by the light of a kerosene lamp next to the blazing hot fire raging inside the  cook stove. My teapot hissing with chamomile tea boiling on the top burner.

Yep, can't wait for winter.

Pics are of my dinner salad picked from Bruce's garden and of the cabin perimeter and cabin floor. Last pics are of Bruce's garden including his strawberries in the second to last pic. The last pic shows Bruce with his handmade bow and arrow while we both were shooting arrows at the trees.