Gulf Coast Works weblog

Brittany’s first day on site

Originally uploaded by bridge to biloxi.

Another rude wake up call. Rain, real rain, I mean cats and dogs. No wonder they have so many strays. But it was over in time for work.

This was our first day without our mentor Ralph. The electrician started today and has made good progress. We started working on our punch list and should get most of it done today.

We picked up Brittany from the Greyhound station at lunch. She only took the bus from NO not Calif. Barry and Bob teamed up to replace Ralph. They work well together and don’t test us all day on our knowledge of carpentry.

I have a question for Ralph: how high do we put the blocking for the kitchen cabinets? We pulled out the upper cabinets from storage and tried to figure out what to do, she still wants to keep them. The story continues…

Ralph hugs Cynthia goodbye

Originally uploaded by bridge to biloxi.

Today was Ralph and Marks last day. Hugs for all. They will be missed. Mark, thanks for leaving my framing book. Mark studied it every night. I think he has lost his calling.
We awoke this morning to a defying rain storm. The loft is every close to the metal roof. Ralph and Jim lucked out, their tent survived.
Today we finished all of the major framing today. The plumber passed his inspection! All but one door was completed, the attic opening was done. The arch to the kitchen was completed.
After work we stopped by the Salvation Army for a few pictures. Back at camp we had an early dinner so we could go to the opening (and closing) of the Hands On production of “Rent” at the Biloxi Little Theater. What a blast! Rudy played the landlord. Just like summer camp.
On Sunday we took Rose for a drive along the coast to New Orleans. It was an eye opening sight. Driving around Biloxi you start to get use to the destruction, but when you see so much more and so little fixed it starts to sink in again how bad it is. For more pics go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/bridgetobiloxi.

Ralph, Mark, David, Jim, Dan

Originally uploaded by bridge to biloxi.

This morning, we were awakened by “Somewhere over the rainbow”.

Had another wonderful day. Dan Mcldowney joined us today and worked alongside us. He was a great help. Today we concentrated on finishing the interior walls and doors. Jim built the door wall to the MBR closet. Mark and Bill worked on the boys room and study doors. David finished the utility room outside door. Ralph and David built the LR front wall with a window and door. Ralph gave us all a lesson in wineing a door. We are so lucky to have him on the team. Rudy is still working on drywall at another house so he will have the skills to lead us. His parents will be here on Tues.

Mark found his love…her name is Betty Bostitch, the nail gun

Originally uploaded by bridge to biloxi.

Today started cold and windy, most of us stuck with shorts and were sorry. Bill & Mark started working outside taking two rows of old siding to make way for the 2 foot plywood strapping. Ralph & David & Jim finished the last window ruff in. Then it started to rain so everyone came inside. Eddie came by with the plywood for the strapping so we all man-handled the heavy sheets through the table saw. As with most rains here it was short-lived, so we all started wrapping the house, that was when Mark found his love. Her name is Betty Bostich the nail gun.

For lunch Cynthia brought us a local specialty that her farther use to make, spaghetti with shrimp sauce. The plumber finished and called for inspection. He then started putting in the gas line.

My biggest fear planning this project was having to wait for the plumber to just show up, now he is almost finished.

BridgeToBiloxi.
Originally uploaded by

Started the day with chocolate chip pancakes and cold coffee (keeps blowing the beaker). Ralph and David And Jim finished the walls in the master bath so the plumber can finish up. Bill, Mark, and Marshall worked on making the walls straight for the drywall. Jim jacked up the window in the LR. He was so excited when the wall moved. Eddie and his crew finished the floors in the MBR and Kit. We bought a compressor to use and then to donate to HandsOn.

After work, we stopped for a six pack to have on the beach. On the way we passed a Dewalt truck, so we made a quick U turn. Ralph was in heaven, we got to try out all of the new tools. Back at camp for spaghetti night.

We all volunteered for PM clean up to get that guilt out of the way. Now we are going to the pub to spread some good will.

DSC03815.jpgOriginally uploaded by BridgeToBiloxi.

Today we had 4 very hard workers - Ralph, Jim, Bill, and David. Bill Hoeft came in last night from Los Gatos. Bill and I have known each other for 30 years. We also had Eddie and 3 Hands On guys. We finished all the hurricane straps. Jim and Bill ripped out all the old windows and all the old headers over the windows. Ralph and David replaced 6 of the 10 window headers. Eddie and his crew did 75% of the master bed room flooring (plywood). The plumbers are almost done with the ruff in. The electrician will be here Monday. Tonight we added two new crew members Mark Fingerle and Marshall Reed. So far the weather has been in the low 80’s. The food has been good and the camp is lively.

Tuesday 10/10 -

I’m posting today’s report as our fearless leader, David, is apparently not so fearless when it comes to blogging, and asked me to give it shot.

This morning we worked primarily on the new subflooring for the kitchen and utility room, which are both now done. (Sam worked with us all day and has been a huge help.) An additional layer of plywood will be added when we get the materials. We also built a 2×4 stud wall for the bathroom, and had some rather lengthy discussions with Eddie regarding the overall configuration. It seems that the plans are somewhat lacking in detail in a few areas. But so far, we’ve been able to “wing it”. Also, another Hands On volunteer, Doug, put up quite a few roof tie-downs.

During the afternoon, we started in on the windows. I took out several of the existing ones, while David and Ralph began work on new headers, which will be required on all of them. Tomorrow we’ll continue.

The plumbers were in the house all day which at times made negotations for space to work necessary, but everyone is quite congenial. They seem to be making good progress, too, and are really well ahead of the original schedule.

All in all, a very productive, if exhausting day. Oh yes, we did mange to find time before dinner to pick up some liquid refreshment for consumption on the beach. It was quite gorgeous, and sadly, still almost totally deserted.

This blog has been created to track the progress of Bridge To Biloxi’s home rebuilding project being skillfully managed by David Kramer and his crack team of volunteers on the ground in Biloxi. The home, owned by Dan & Cynthia (pictured below), was literally lifted off its foundation by Katrina’s storm surge and floated away. Had it not been for a large tree in their yard that “caught” the house, it would have been totally destroyed.

The house has been returned to its foundation, but the interior has been gutted and needs complete rebuilding, including all floors, walls, plumbing and electrical, which is where Bridge To Biloxi comes in. We anticipate needing 6 to 8 weeks, and we’ll be updating on a daily basis…please stay tuned…