As the weather warmed up this summer, construction really started moving along at the lodge! Here are some highlights from June and July at Coteau des Prairies Lodge.
Click on an image below to open the photo gallery.
Coteau des Prairies Lodge sits upon the hill watching out over the sprawling crop lands of Sargent County.
Phillip Breker and his daughter Hadassah tour the lodge to check out the latest developments. They really seem to like it!
Joe Breker installs a piece of log siding above the log wall. He is using a power planer to match one end up with another.
Corey Arnold uses an electric buffer to polish the log siding. The next step is installation.
David Schultz uses a chisel to detail a piece of Log siding. The chisel removes bark from those hard to reach places.
Michael Breker uses a draw knife to peel bark off a piece of log siding. His biceps are going to be huge.
Joe Breker cuts a bark-on piece of log siding to the appropriate width and then sends it down the line to the next station.
Noah Breker crosses the cattle guard at the main entrance. Cows won't cross, but cars sure will.
The Brekers installed two cattle guards along the driveway. Remember the lodge is in a pasture, we don't want to let the cows out.
As log builders, our contractors are fond of chainsaws. We have enjoyed watching them in their craft this last year.
The Rockswold family from Forman is allowing us to use this spectacular solid brass chandelier which was removed from the county courthouse during a past renovation.
The appearance of the lodge has changed now that the logs have gained a rich new golden brown color after the staining process.
The Breker pasture is green and gold as summer warms up. This summer brought little rain, but enough to keep the cows happy.
The lodge as viewed from the east end of 'the gulch', a couple miles to the southwest. Geneseo is off in the distance.
To get fast ground cover we seeded winter wheat which shot up fast while the native grasses will take longer to establish.
The new driveway shoulders are greening up with the native grasses and prairie flowers we seeded. This is the entrance at the township road.
Yes, this funky log is to be used in the lodge. You will have to use your imagination until you see it installed.
The log walls are all done. The stain brought new beauty out of the logs and they will now be protected from the elements, at least for a few years.
Some of us were apprehensive about the color of the stain, but it has really grown on us. You can see the contrast between raw and stained wood.
Nate Rude creates a flat spot where an electrical outlet will be installed on the exterior log wall.
Patty Breker finishes up the log wall staining process as she puts the last coat on the west wall.
Patty is up, up, up high in the basket doing what she does best. No one on the crew is more of a perfectionist than Patty when it comes to this type of detail work.
Patty Breker is hoisted high in a basket to stain the purlin logs under the roof. Three coats oughta do it.
Patty Breker stains the five large pillars on the south end of the lodge. A deck will be built at main floor level here for a great shaded place to enjoy the south view.
Patty Breker is beginning the log wall staining process. Now that the logs are caulked and buffed, the real party can begin.
Joe Breker and Nate Rude discuss plans for a pine slab table top. It is being made from that there log.
Jerry Sapa may appear to be staring down a furry invader, but he is actually running electrical wires for an exterior outlet.
Olivia Stenvold finishes up with the buffing of the exterior log walls to prepare them for finishing.
Aaron Rude has a year or two ahead of him to build up those log trained muscles, in the meantime he makes up for it with pure awesomeness.
Nate Rude and Joe Breker use their log trained muscles to set a half log stairway stringer in place. They make it look easy.
Adeline Stenvold, Joe and Patty's grand daughter, spends a lot of time exploring the lodge. Her mom, Olivia, is the manager who is there pretty much every day.
Emma and Hadassah Breker, Joe and Patty's grand daughters, climb around and explore the lodge on a beautiful summer day.
Joe Breker cleans a log outside the north window of the lodge on a cloudy day. This log is the header log for the future lower level fireplace.
