Residence - Russian River

Guerneville, California

My first home was purchased at a price of $20,000 in 1975 with Susan Joice on Neeley Road in Guerneville.We complete remodeled the 1948 cabin plus added a 20 x 20 garage. Interior walls were all knotty pine, exterior 1″ redwood board and bat construction on 2 x 4 frame measuring a full 2″ x 4.”

Much of the remodeling was done with recycled, found materials and left-overs from other projects. Rafters for the garage were recycled from an abandoned and dilapidated canoe rental building further down Neeley Road. All windows and doors were locally recycled. Adding skylights let the light in. Hand carving shelf brackets was my specialty.

Both the house and garage are on a 30 degree grade; the elevation at front is at road level, at the back of the home – facing the Russian River at Big Bend – it is elevated 20 feet high on post and pier.

The house as purchased was whacked out of level from flooding. This project required leveling of the home which was accomplished a simple water level plus a combination of antique railroad screw jacks and hydraulic jacks on cribbing. That dangerous work was done during the rainy season. Inexperience, wet soil and a small miscalculation nearly sent me to an early grave.

Residence - Russian River