November 10, 2008
RESOURCE; INSTRUCTIONS TO WINTERIZE CABIN WATER SYSTEM
INSTRUCTIONS TO WINTERIZE CABIN WATER SYSTEM 10/08
Buy a gallon (maybe 2) of windshield wiper fluid at your nearest super market before going to cabin.
1. Turn off water heater at circuit box in kitchen.
2. Open valve (yellow handle) at base of water heater. Water will drain to outside.
3. Enter original crawl space with 10" Crescent wrench and a flashlight. Wear a hat, lots of webs. Light to the left.
4. Turn off pump at the switch on wall above the pump. You will now be in the dark.
5. Close yellow valve on top of pump. If you do not do this, the water pressure will knock the plugs into the hole.
6. Remove plug at base of pump. Lots of pressure !
7. Remove the other plug (same size) hidden under the pump. There are two identical plugs. Do not remove the closest one.
8. Remove tiny plug on horizontal pipe at back of pump. Put all three plugs in bowl provided.
9. Open valve (black) above the white pail. Water will drain into pail.
10. Open yellow valve you closed earlier. More water will be present.
11. Remove gauge on top of pump. This needs the 10" Crescent wrench. Gauge will be rusted in. Tap w/ whatever you have.
12. Open all faucets including the shower. Release air pressure in water tank. Release valve is on top of tank. You should hear a whoosh. This gets any remaining water out of the tank.
13. Dip Excess water from toilet bowl. Dump into sink.
14. Pour a gallon of windshield wiper fluid into bathroom sink, shower drain, kitchen sink and toilet bowl & tank. Use the whole gal. Buy another gallon on way to cabin. Super markets are cheaper.
15. Lock both doors, lock shed, return keys. Drive safely
Note: The smaller size wrench should be in the bowl by the pump. I don't remember the size. Box or open end works best.
Pressure release is on side of new water heater. Wrench needed is 9/16" for the small plugs on bottom of water pump. 10" crescent needed elsewhere.
Good luck. Be sure you print directions I sent earlier and take with.
I did find the old directions up there. There are a couple of copies but only one has a drawing that is poor. If anyone wants to draw a better pic on the other copies please do so.
Buy a gallon (maybe 2) of windshield wiper fluid at your nearest super market before going to cabin.
1. Turn off water heater at circuit box in kitchen.
2. Open valve (yellow handle) at base of water heater. Water will drain to outside.
3. Enter original crawl space with 10" Crescent wrench and a flashlight. Wear a hat, lots of webs. Light to the left.
4. Turn off pump at the switch on wall above the pump. You will now be in the dark.
5. Close yellow valve on top of pump. If you do not do this, the water pressure will knock the plugs into the hole.
6. Remove plug at base of pump. Lots of pressure !
7. Remove the other plug (same size) hidden under the pump. There are two identical plugs. Do not remove the closest one.
8. Remove tiny plug on horizontal pipe at back of pump. Put all three plugs in bowl provided.
9. Open valve (black) above the white pail. Water will drain into pail.
10. Open yellow valve you closed earlier. More water will be present.
11. Remove gauge on top of pump. This needs the 10" Crescent wrench. Gauge will be rusted in. Tap w/ whatever you have.
12. Open all faucets including the shower. Release air pressure in water tank. Release valve is on top of tank. You should hear a whoosh. This gets any remaining water out of the tank.
13. Dip Excess water from toilet bowl. Dump into sink.
14. Pour a gallon of windshield wiper fluid into bathroom sink, shower drain, kitchen sink and toilet bowl & tank. Use the whole gal. Buy another gallon on way to cabin. Super markets are cheaper.
15. Lock both doors, lock shed, return keys. Drive safely
Note: The smaller size wrench should be in the bowl by the pump. I don't remember the size. Box or open end works best.
Pressure release is on side of new water heater. Wrench needed is 9/16" for the small plugs on bottom of water pump. 10" crescent needed elsewhere.
Good luck. Be sure you print directions I sent earlier and take with.
I did find the old directions up there. There are a couple of copies but only one has a drawing that is poor. If anyone wants to draw a better pic on the other copies please do so.
Late Fall 2008
I think Dad was the last person at the cabin and he reports that "all is well at the cabin. The woodstove is in (the wrong place) but it is OK. It heats well and is nice and cozy in the evenings. The furniture has been arranged to make it a nice area. The wood fire kept the place warm thru out our visit including one bedroom. I am not sure how well it will do when the temps are pushing zero. We will see. We did not need the electric heat!
We had 4 turkeys in the yard, all females, and another group of 11, including one male. Two days later both groups combined into one flock. Deer came to the corn we put out for them but the turkeys came earlier. The deer showed up and patiently waited a few feet away till the birds had their fill and moved on. The bay was frozen over but a warm front was on its way so that will not last. the 4" of snow on Monday night was mostly gone when we left on Thur. I drained the water system but whoever tightened the pressure gauge on the top of the water pump is stronger than I. It was also rusted in. Not a problem now but the next trip we will not be able to prime the pump.. I will take a big pipe wrench next trip. I put penetrating oil on the threads, hoping it will soak in a bit before I go again.
Brad - Thanks for all the wood cut, split and stacked. What a treat. I had a tarp with me so I covered one of the piles. Will take another next trip.
Pat - Thanks for the program from the LaX reunion. I did not know you hiked in the Alps. Jaci and I have done it twice. Both times hut-to-hut in Switzerland & Austria with a short jaunt into Italy. Great trips. Do you remember the name of your guide? Paul Zeller was our guide both times. Good leader.
Linda Trembath is moving so the place on the end will be for sale soon. Anyone interested. I am guessing $250,00.
We had 4 turkeys in the yard, all females, and another group of 11, including one male. Two days later both groups combined into one flock. Deer came to the corn we put out for them but the turkeys came earlier. The deer showed up and patiently waited a few feet away till the birds had their fill and moved on. The bay was frozen over but a warm front was on its way so that will not last. the 4" of snow on Monday night was mostly gone when we left on Thur. I drained the water system but whoever tightened the pressure gauge on the top of the water pump is stronger than I. It was also rusted in. Not a problem now but the next trip we will not be able to prime the pump.. I will take a big pipe wrench next trip. I put penetrating oil on the threads, hoping it will soak in a bit before I go again.
Brad - Thanks for all the wood cut, split and stacked. What a treat. I had a tarp with me so I covered one of the piles. Will take another next trip.
Pat - Thanks for the program from the LaX reunion. I did not know you hiked in the Alps. Jaci and I have done it twice. Both times hut-to-hut in Switzerland & Austria with a short jaunt into Italy. Great trips. Do you remember the name of your guide? Paul Zeller was our guide both times. Good leader.
Linda Trembath is moving so the place on the end will be for sale soon. Anyone interested. I am guessing $250,00.
September 5, 2008
September 2, 2008
Labor Day Recap
The labor day trip was great fun. The weather was perfect and, even though the water level was as low as anyone can remember, all enjoyed the kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. Shari and Brad have the best pictures so as soon as I get them, they will be posted.
Edit: Throwing for Team I-Rocka-Baracka, Jeff Rodeen won Olympic Gold in stone skipping with a Lake 17 record of 9 skips.
Edit: Throwing for Team I-Rocka-Baracka, Jeff Rodeen won Olympic Gold in stone skipping with a Lake 17 record of 9 skips.
August 25, 2008
Labor Day Weekend
It look likes we're in for a reunion of sorts with Shari, Jeff, Parker, Brad, Sheryl, and Brian making the trip to the cabin for all or part of the holiday weekend. Dad and Jaci are taking it day by day but we hope it will work out. Sadly, Jackson & Olivia are not likely to make the trip this time.
August 13, 2008
August 4, 2008
July 14, 2008
July 10, 2008
July 9, 2008
Cabin Calendar
Mom and Tony: July 27 through August 9th or 10th
Shari, Jeff & Parker: August 24th through August 31th
Brad and Sheryl: August 30th through September 6th
Dad, Jaci and, hopefully, Brian will get there as soon as Dad
is well enough to travel; perhaps July 22-25 or early August?
I am still working on getting an actual calendar posted.
For now, these are the dates that I have. Send me others
asap, please so we can all try to plan.
Thanks,
Brian
P.S. The picture is of Jeff from a few years ago. Thanks Brad for the
pictures you sent. I'll post them soon.
July 2, 2008
new picture of Shack interior
Brian is working on getting a calendar up on this site. Brad suggested it and it's a great idea. Look for the calendar soon.
Thanks!
June 25, 2008
Brad Checks In
We have some tentative travel plans and approximate dates in mind.
We are thinking of arriving the day before Shari, Jeff, & Parker depart, which should be approx 09-01. (They do not yet have airline tickets, so we are remaining flexible) They, like us, don't mind a little company to overlap at one end or the other of their stay, but whose main focus is to unwind, relax and not be bothered while doing absolutely nothing in the northwoods. We would probably stay 5 days or so.
We may also try and catch T & T for a day or two in July. This would be a quick trip but would allow us to see things first hand so that we could come properly armed in September to handle some specific projects. This trip is still very "iffy" as my work and home projects are a bit overwhelming this summer.
bjk
We are thinking of arriving the day before Shari, Jeff, & Parker depart, which should be approx 09-01. (They do not yet have airline tickets, so we are remaining flexible) They, like us, don't mind a little company to overlap at one end or the other of their stay, but whose main focus is to unwind, relax and not be bothered while doing absolutely nothing in the northwoods. We would probably stay 5 days or so.
We may also try and catch T & T for a day or two in July. This would be a quick trip but would allow us to see things first hand so that we could come properly armed in September to handle some specific projects. This trip is still very "iffy" as my work and home projects are a bit overwhelming this summer.
bjk
June 23, 2008
1973
Mom & Dad purchased the shack in 1973. The family had become familiar with the area while doing some early tent camping on nearby Muskie Lake. At the time there were only a handful of cabins in the area. The simple back & white structure had no plumbing, interio
r rooms or insulation. Everyone pitched in and the cabin soon began to take shape. Dad and Brad handled all the electrical wiring and outlets while Mom and Shari stained the interior beams and installed paneling. My earliest memories include dad giving me a big stapler to help with the insulation & going outside to pump the well to get a drink. I can still smell the wet sand and feel the ice cold water on my feet. I was almost seven years old at the time. The Green's,who still frequent the cabin across the street, were our earliest neighbors. Brad and Chris Green spent a lot of time exploring the woods and lake together. I will post some early cabin pictures soon. For now, here's a good one of Shari & Brad from around that time.
r rooms or insulation. Everyone pitched in and the cabin soon began to take shape. Dad and Brad handled all the electrical wiring and outlets while Mom and Shari stained the interior beams and installed paneling. My earliest memories include dad giving me a big stapler to help with the insulation & going outside to pump the well to get a drink. I can still smell the wet sand and feel the ice cold water on my feet. I was almost seven years old at the time. The Green's,who still frequent the cabin across the street, were our earliest neighbors. Brad and Chris Green spent a lot of time exploring the woods and lake together. I will post some early cabin pictures soon. For now, here's a good one of Shari & Brad from around that time.
June 20, 2008
Summer Schedule (from Dad)
A big thank you to Pat & Tony for a week spent at the Hazelhurst Hilton and finishing a
lot of tasks that I had begun before the cancer treatments interrupted my life. Now that
the added room is useable and gives us a living space for rainy days ,the requests for
time "up north" have been flooding in (pardon the pun as Winnebago county has now been declared a disaster area due to flooding. More rain predicted late today.)
My letter of June 14 stirred people to get out their calendars and check vacation time.
Days asked for so far include:
June 30, July 1,2,3.
July 3,4,5,6,7.
July 25 - Aug. 4 ?
Aug.4,5,6,7,8.
week of Aug. 18 and/or 25 depending on Shari's flight arrangements.
Each ending date in the above listing is the checkout. Lets call it noon or shortly
after in case someone else is coming on your departure date.
We can always use toilet paper and paper towels if you would like to contribute. Beer
and wine cheerfully accepted also. A new wood stove is there but will not be hooked up for use until fall. A new large dinning table will be ready for families to eat together and the deck
should be nearly completed soon.
Enjoy the north woods
Love Neil & Jaci
lot of tasks that I had begun before the cancer treatments interrupted my life. Now that
the added room is useable and gives us a living space for rainy days ,the requests for
time "up north" have been flooding in (pardon the pun as Winnebago county has now been declared a disaster area due to flooding. More rain predicted late today.)
My letter of June 14 stirred people to get out their calendars and check vacation time.
Days asked for so far include:
June 30, July 1,2,3.
July 3,4,5,6,7.
July 25 - Aug. 4 ?
Aug.4,5,6,7,8.
week of Aug. 18 and/or 25 depending on Shari's flight arrangements.
Each ending date in the above listing is the checkout. Lets call it noon or shortly
after in case someone else is coming on your departure date.
We can always use toilet paper and paper towels if you would like to contribute. Beer
and wine cheerfully accepted also. A new wood stove is there but will not be hooked up for use until fall. A new large dinning table will be ready for families to eat together and the deck
should be nearly completed soon.
Enjoy the north woods
Love Neil & Jaci
June 19, 2008
Call for Old Pictures
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the new Koeneman Shack website. We need some pictures and stories from each of you to help us trace the history of the cabin. This site will include stories, pictures and perhaps a video or two. We can all have access to edit the site or you can just send it to me. To get us started, send me either pics by email (koeneman@gac.edu) or your old prints or slides. I will scan and import at work and return your pictures right away, of course. I'm trying to include pics and stories from each decade (the 70's, 80's 90's, and 00's) so you may have to do some digging.
Thanks!
Brian
Send your stuff here asap:
Brian Koeneman
800 W. College Ave.
St. Peter, MN 56082
Welcome to the new Koeneman Shack website. We need some pictures and stories from each of you to help us trace the history of the cabin. This site will include stories, pictures and perhaps a video or two. We can all have access to edit the site or you can just send it to me. To get us started, send me either pics by email (koeneman@gac.edu) or your old prints or slides. I will scan and import at work and return your pictures right away, of course. I'm trying to include pics and stories from each decade (the 70's, 80's 90's, and 00's) so you may have to do some digging.
Thanks!
Brian
Send your stuff here asap:
Brian Koeneman
800 W. College Ave.
St. Peter, MN 56082
June 2008 Construction Update
Mom and Tony just returned from the cabin. Tony hung a new exterior gutter (see pic at left) and hired some help to put in the new floor. Both Tony & Mom worked hard for most of the week. Then Tony took a nap (see pic) on the couch in the new addition. The wearther was perfect and they stopped to see Brian and the kids on their way back to NM.
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