The Test of Time
Never judge a book by its cover. That’s what we’ve been told growing up and the statement couldn’t be truer. However, it doesn’t just apply to people, it can also be true of structures that have withstood the test of time.
Take a dilapidated cabin for example—while many would consider it an eyesore that should be torn down, others may believe it’s a living piece of history. The walls hold memories and have seen years of events that you couldn’t even imagine.
A Lifelong Dream
For 65-year-old Richard Aiken, restoring a piece of property had always been a dream of his. A retired realtor who had worked hard his whole life, the dream of owning a cabin had stuck with him throughout the years.
Unfortunately, the opportunity never presented itself…until one fateful hunting trip changed everything.
A Man With a Colorful Past
Before setting his sights on restoring an old cabin, Richard could best be described as a self-proclaimed “hillbilly.”
He’s also a loving husband, father and the proud recipient of two PhDs and one medical degree. To say Richard is well-rounded would be an understatement.
The Discovery of a Lifetime
One day, Richard was out on a routine day of hunting when he stumbled upon a rundown old cabin. The windows were shattered, the roof caved in and the walls were a mere shadow of what they used to be.
Realizing this could be his opportunity to have the dream vacation home he always wanted, Richard decided he would try to hunt down the owner. Is it possible he would be able to find the person?
Finding the Owner
Thankfully, due to his background in real estate, Richard was able to utilize his network of realtors and track down the property’s owner.
The man went by the name of Steve and Thomas quickly built up the courage to call him. Now, he just had to convince him to sell the cabin…
A Simple Sale
Richard called the cabin’s owner and asked how much he might be willing to sell it for. Steve told Richard he could part with it for a $100 on the condition that Steve restored the cabin to its former glory.
With a smirk and knowing twinkle in his eye, Richard agreed. It didn’t take long for the cabin to be signed over to Richard and he quickly began his work.
It wouldn’t be an easy task to restore the cabin, but with a newfound energy, Richard knew he could do it with perseverance and patience. Unfortunately, he had no idea just how bad of shape the cabin was actually in…
A Complete Disaster
At first, Richard was not sure where to begin. The inside of the cabin was completely destroyed. The rotting wood from the roof had caved into the interior and the walls were a crumbling mess.
Realizing he needed a second opinion, Richard called one his good friends out to assess the state of the home. Both men definitely agreed that no one had maintained the property for quite some time.
Did this use to be a vacation home? Did anyone actually live here at some point? Regardless, Richard knew the cabin could be beautiful with a lot of hard work and was not about to give up.
The Road Ahead
Thankfully, the wood on the outside of the cabin had remained somewhat intact. In fact, Richard thought it had real character.
Despite the work involved on the interior, the outside structure had promise. However, there was a lot of work ahead…
Prepping Supplies
Richard worked very meticulously, cataloging every piece of wood that he currently had and the supplies he would need to finish the job.
While he knew he would need new beams for structural support, he hoped he could still utilize the original wood in some capacity.
A Cabin with a View
One of the reasons Richard fell in love with the cabin was its stunning view.
With the beautiful trees and a position right next to the river, he knew it would be a great vacation spot regardless of the time of year.
Adding a Dock
While beginning the restoration process, Richard decided to add a small side project by building a dock.
Since he loved to fish, he thought it would be the perfect companion piece to his new cabin.
A Private Stream
As Richard continued to plan his dream cabin, he decided to enlist his children to help with a little bit of landscaping. Using shovels, they began to dig a trench near the lake which would end up being a private stream that would run past the log cabin.
Richard couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have found such a gem and couldn’t wait to one day sit on the porch at sunset listening to the stream and the sounds of nature.
From the Ground Up
The cabin would have to be rebuilt from the ground up. Richard utilized the original pieces of wood to help construct the beams.
Despite it being early on in the project, Thomas was thrilled with how it was turning out.
A Higher Foundation
Unlike the original cabin’s schematic, Richard chose to build the cabin on a much higher foundation.
He wanted to have a place to store his hunting and fishing equipment. It would also keep the cabin safe from flooding.
The New Deck
Richard also decided to add an outside deck to the cabin. He couldn’t wait to sit out on the deck enjoying a cool iced tea on a warm summer’s evening.
Just the thought of it motivated him to build even faster.
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