Are you ready to ROCK?

ROCK the driveway that is??? Each and every day is a surprise out at 3298. Today was full of many surprises, including a fully rocked/gravel driveway. We can't quite drive on it yet since it's just the first course of 4-6" gravel. When they get some heavy machines on it, it'll get packed down and be ready for the smaller 1-2" gravel.

We were nervous that not much was going to be completed as we've been battling 50mph winds. It feels like winter and I think I even heard the dreaded "F" word...flurries. YIKES!



This is the required attire for yesterday and today's weather.

 

Warning: Do not use our old driveway - it no longer exists!! Adios!

He-ll-ooooo Gravel!



My main squeeze! And a sneak peek at our neighbor's new house.



To our surprise - Butch got a headstart on the walk-out basement. This means that the basement isn't far behind!!! :-)

Hey, hey, hey!

We had to escape from the wind. You can see the real length of the driveway which will be lined with Crabapple Trees! Zyrtec anyone??

View from the road. Until next time...

Friday we're closing on our construction loan! We both have the day off to celebrate. I think we should get  two lawn chairs and just watch the magic happen. Although we might need to get a couple hard hats first!

Holy Smokes Batman!

Our excavator Butch was not messing around! Today was the day our driveway was formed- better known as step one.  Brad and I drove by after work today to see what, if anything, had happened. The entire lay of the land had been been changed in about 5 hours flat. I'm pretty sure we both could have swallowed a few flies from our mouths hanging wide open.

A little history on the driveway...Johnson County required that we move our driveway from the west side of our property to the dead center. This actually worked out perfectly for us as our current ag driveway was very steep and at the bottom of a valley. This made it difficult to get out quickly and avoid oncoming traffic!

We had to have a 72' (yes you read correctly) culvert installed to route the water correctly and then form a new driveway on top.  Butch had to take the hill where the driveway was to be located and smooth/push all the dirt forward to fill in the 4 1/2' ditch.

The pictures honestly do not do the actual drive justice. I'm pretty sure the only way to grasp the magnitude of what happened today is to either come and visit, or rent a chopper and look at it from the sky! Either way - this was totally nuts!

Only one walnut tree was harmed in the making of our driveway, so we're hoping to sell it to a mill, or make a rustic mantel out of it. Or if all else fails, it'll make some really nice firewood for next winter. It was actually a bit disheartening as we were looking forward to the driveway being between two trees, but we can always plant another to take its place.

Sorry for the dark pictures. With it getting so dark out so early, we had limited time to take snapshots.



Looking at our old driveway and fence line - which is no more.



The old "Ag" driveway. Seems so small now in comparison.

We discovered a couple more walnut trees we didn't know we had!

The yellow tree in the background is probably 200' away from Brad. That just gives you an idea of how large the pile of dirt is he's standing on.

This view is standing at the bottom of the driveway looking up toward where the garage will be. Clearly we will need 4WD immediately if not sooner! :)

The new driveway meets the street.

Standing at the middle of the driveway looking down toward the street.

About 150' back from the road. Looks like Butch had a hay-day in his dozer today!

The other side of the drive - looking east. This is where our walnut tree bit the dust. Anyone know of a super fast growing tree???

Feast your eyes on this!

This entire time, all we've wanted is some progress. Literally anything would do. Well, come Monday, we're going to get what we asked for! Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you...our very first dozer!

This beauty showed up yesterday afternoon. This is the first step in the right direction - and we can assure you, this thing is not leaving until we have a driveway. Which will of course lead to a basement...then concrete...then you can figure out the rest.



Brad checking this puppy out!



We're SO excited!

Dream Home Inspiration

This photo directly inspired the porch on our future home. While our house will look a bit different, this has a very similar style.

We'll be sure to post more inspiration photos as time goes on. :)

Welcome to Farmhouse Acres

So it has begun. Our dream is becoming a reality and it finally has an address. This is the story of 3298 120th Street NE, Solon. Follow along as we build our home from the ground up.

Over the last year, we have pinched pennies, fought a good fight, cried, laughed and talked about what would one day be our dream home. What seems now like an eternity is now coming to fruition. Our long discussions and planning of every detail will now pay off.

In August of 2009, we had the idea on a whim to sell our house in Cedar Rapids to move to the country. We had one too many pesky neighbors and were ready for some peace and quiet - not to mention a little privacy. Our realtor recommended we see a piece of property located right between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. We drove by the very next day and were sold. It was being farmed at the time, but we instantly saw the potential. With 3.55 acres at our disposal, the possibilities were endless. We promptly put our house up for sale and six days later it was sold. There was no turning back now.