The grass is greener...

[sodamo]

I like it. Looks you have pretty good garage space, have a nice pool, and I'm not sure, the pics don't show it that well, but it looks like you have a fantastic view. This time of the year, it looks very nice. It got up to 50 degrees here today, and thats the warmest its been in several weeks and we still have snow on the ground.

The garage is multi functional. On the end closest the house is a full bath to serve the kitchen/living room, a pantry area for bulk storage, and the wife's laundry/utility room. Two bay garage has doors both side so it is drive in - drive out, except it is still my primary cabinet making area right now, but hopefully can give up at least one bay by summer. The ten ft on the far end was to be my shop - totally too small, but what did I know, 10x24 sounds hugh when you've never had any before. Now it will be primarily tool storage with a small bench area. Hard to see in the pic, but I've already planned for work space expansion. All in all, quite happy with it. A garage was one wife's "must list" when designing the house. Only other items were the pool and fireplace. She got what she wanted LOL

 

[sodamo]

I looked in your album a little bit, and it does look like a great view. I don't see where you own a snowblower yet? Better pick one up soon, you never know when the weather will turn cold.

Without a doubt, we absolutely love our view. Can't begin to count how many times wife and I would sit in a plastic chair, tired, wondering if there was a light at the end of the tunnel,but we'd hold hands as we look out and say "THIS is why we do it"

Thanks for the photos - glad to hear the knee is doing well. Temp was up to about 40F here today and is forecast for about -4F tonight with 10 to 15 mph winds. I'm ready for spring.

Loren

Thanks, I'm really pleased with the knee. We only made 76

Beautiful place. Wife and I are heading to Oahu on the 26th of this month. Our first trip there. Been staring out the window at piles of snow counting the days.

dsb

Hope you have a super trip. If you are coming to the Big Island (we have the drivein volcano) please PM me, would love to meet you. One of my best friends here and neighbor only 8 miles away is a fellow TBNer, we met online before physically moving. He and his wife built a beautiful house.

Nice pics of your property! The name of your property caught my eye as my wife's guide dog is named "Makana". She"s a curly coat blond Lab and truely is a gift that has allowed my wife to become more independent. Glad the knee is doing well, Mike.

Yep, Gift, sounds like she is aptly named. Dogs are so awesome We originally wanted to use the term "Blessing", but were informed that Makana was a more appropriate usage culturally.

 

[sodamo]

Hi David - My wife's family is from Palolo and Wahiawa. My daughter and son in law are in Chinatown.....he's five-oh. I lived in Manoa, Makiki, and Lanikai from 76 to 81. We go back once or twice a year. When you designed your home did you consider ICFs? I like your layout......Aloha, Gary

Spent 3.5 years at the end of California Ave as an instructor on East Range. If ever on the BI during your trips let me know.
We did consider ICF, but went with a concrete SIP - ProTec. Panels are 36" wide and come 8, 9, 10 ft lengths. A galvanized metal system ties them together. Whole house is R20, quite nice for here.

 

[sodamo]

Sodamo. Beautiful place! Thanks for inviting everyone on TBN to come to your place in the winter! I'm sure it's going to be a lot of work, so on behalf of all of us, I want to say thank you!

We should all be there by the end of the month!!

Dibs on the guesthouse!

See you soon!

LOL As I've said before, my fellow TBNers are always welcome to visit. Just shoot me a PM .

Beyond that, we do have plans to operate 2 vacation suites and the cabin as a vacation rental, just not quite there yet. This knee thing put an unplanned snag into my planning. However, once we are ready to go, we will be offering a very nice discount to bonafide TBN folk.

Soooooo, come on over.

 

[sodamo]

Boy I'm glad I'm not there. Look at the flag! That wind must be pretty bad. What's the wind chill there?

The wind can be interesting, just not good enough for windpower. Most of the time we have very pleasant trades, enough to deter the mosquitos LOL. We go through about 3 flags a year.
Funny thing about wind chill. Right now my weather station is reporting a temp of 72, but feels like 73. Due to an off shore system right now our winds are 20mph with a wind chill of 66. Oh well, this is winter LOL

 

[Haoleguy]

Spent 3.5 years at the end of California Ave as an instructor on East Range. If ever on the BI during your trips let me know.
We did consider ICF, but went with a concrete SIP - ProTec. Panels are 36" wide and come 8, 9, 10 ft lengths. A galvanized metal system ties them together. Whole house is R20, quite nice for here.

I have 2 aunties(twins) in their late 80s that live in Wahiawa with one just off California Ave where her property backs up to the military land. Had a couple of uncles in Wahiawa that just passed in the last few years that were members of the 442....great group of men that 442. I know that I'm in Oahu in the summer for my father-in-laws 17th memorial service. If I have the chance I'll pop over to the Big Island and look you up.

I'm not sure exactly when my house project is going to start as I have many details to still work out. I do know that we will be using ICFs and trying to achieve heating/cooling efficiency with the structure and for it to withstand the occasional hurricane/tropical storms that skip up here. The Pro-Tec panels worked very well into your design and as I mentioned I like the open layout.

Best Wishes & Aloha, Gary

 

[Johndeere3720]

Wow, it sure is beautiful out there. :thumbsup: Never been to Hawaii, maybe someday.