A surveyors transit
Another Saturday and the 41 Chevy pickup once again loaded with building materials destined for the families Sierra cabin site. On the previous trip to Pioneer, Gary invited his friend Dale Spady who had spent the night, thinking Dale could help at the building site and later the two could find some time to explore the surrounding wooded hillsides for abandoned mines. Gary and his sister Nancy having discovered tailings from several sites but never had the opportunity to investigate, he especial wanted to return to the remnant ruins of an old cabin and look for artifacts. The first chore for the two boys after arriving was to unload the numerous 50lb concrete piers for the risers that would support the floor beams and joist, the boys having to lug the heavy piers over 40 yards. Gary having loaded them in the pickup and knew from experience that the more you moved, the heavier they seemed, noticing that Dale had stopped and was sitting. It didn’t take long to discover that Dale was sick, his pallor was pale and said he was chilled. Gary’s dad not wanting to waste the long drive, still wanting to accomplish something , telling the boys because of Dale situation they wouldn’t spend the night, but would return home as soon as he had leveled, squared and set the piers in position. Gary knew the importance of the pier placement as they were the foundation for the structure. It was late afternoon by the time all the piers were in place, the three returning to Oakland.
Concrete piers – A portable foundation
The raiser and heavy-duty beams, 2 x 6 floor joist, all time consuming task would be accomplished on later weekend trips. The biggest concern was waiting for PG&E to provide electrical service as service had yet to be provided in this recently opened section of their mountain retreat. The day finally arriving, no longer handicapped by the lack of a power, father and son now able to give their building some definitive presence, the electrical service enabling them to install the decking for the sub-floor which was expedited with the use of a circular saw, the youth now having a wilderness laden platform to stand on, a real foundation for what was to come.
The cabin floor joist
Diane Pine and Gary’s sister Kay
Father and son entertaining the journey to the Sierra Foothills again, only this time in the family car, Gary’s Mother and sister Nancy accompanying them, his sister Kay remaining in Oakland as was her habit, staying with her best friend Diane Pine. The Chevy transpiring down the once bulldozed lane, Gary’s mom and sister to view the completed sub-floor and the progress that he and his Dad had accomplished for the first time. The family aggregation approaching the compiled edifice, suddenly freezing in their tracks. Knifing across and diagonally dissecting the subfloor what appeared to be a surveyors line marking the property boundary. The surveyors employed by the realty company having arrived leaving their mark, knowing not of the conjectured tree markings and the lots property line secured by the realty agent when the property was purchased. Gary’s Dad’s disposition rapidly changing to one of concern, recounting the words spoken by the realtor indicating the property lines, marking the trees, stating their labeling would be used in determining the actual area size of the property. A further inspection found another line down the slope towards what was characterized as the federal land boundry that was supposed to bordered the Willson property. It was apparent that the real estate concern had managed to adjust the line up the hill to justify another lot between the Willson’s acreage and the Federal Land. Gary visualized the situation, the marketing agent was cajole in his zeal to traffic the property and used the proximity of trees to master his persuasion. The salesman recognizing the families’ momentary intoxication to fulfill an incessant dream overruled any sound judgement concerning property confines.
The Martell Reality Office at the top of the Hill
The Willson’s concern was negated after visiting the Martell Real Estate Office, a discussion of the adjusted boundary was productive, a solution was agreed upon. Any variations made by the surveyors in the property line would be adjusted to encompass all prior construction, meaning the boundary line across the sub floor would be changed to encompass the building project so it would remain within the Willson property jurisdiction. Gary concluding that if boundaries are determined by trees, we must live in a forest.
Inquisitive Quest 
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