Yes, we are both very proud of "our" barn. Unfortunately my son now lives in Colorado and only gets to visit it once a year. After He completed college as civil engineer he trained as a timber framer (Heartwood School in Washington, Ma). As a civil engineer he had worked in waste water management which did not exactly inspire him. He then worked for a couple of small timber frame companies out west. When the housing market took a hit he was laid-off and came home and offered to build the barn. I supplied the tools, materials, food, shelter, and very meager wages. While building the barn's timber frame he realized he lacked the knowledge/skill to properly size the main support beams and instead had to rely on the overkill approach. Somewhere in that process he decided to return to school and get his masters in structural engineering. He attended Oregon State earning a dual masters in structural engineering and wood science. His master thesis was actually an analysis of the structural strength of my timber frame barn to a comparable stick built frame, the timber frame won of course. Now he works for a smallish structural engineering firm in Colorado and has built a few barns on the side. He loves timber framing but engineering pays better. So obviously I am also very proud of my son as well.
Thanks everyone for kind comments!
JackinVT
