Camp Fence Rainbow

Weather, rain, and the things that are our of our control always hit home and send a message to slow down to enjoy many of the gifts that we take for granted...

Spotted on the way up to Camp Fence

Mom and Dad saw a double rainbow on their way up to Joel's cabin - one of the many things that reminds me that someone is watching out for us...

Washington, DC - Summer of 2009

Buck's Camp Fence Progress: Part II

Chris, Curty, and Camper!

I wanted to update you on another productive work weekend up at Camp Buck!  When there's wood floors, there's no one better to call than Camper/Koeppy!  (I'm not exactly sure how you spell that, but if you know our family, you know exactly who I'm talking about!)

Uncle Buck wanted some of Camper's finest floors in the two bedrooms on the first floor.  For the master bedroom, he chose Hickory and for the spare/front room, a beautiful walnut I believe.  Dad will have to correct me if I'm wrong.  Buck bought the wood awhile ago, so everything was set and ready to go into the cabin.

The 'ole wedding Kirby is still kickin!

After a few coats of varnish or polyurethane... something shiny that's for sure!

- Pause -

This reminds me of a Buck story.  I recall one time that Mom, Uncle Buck, I, and a few others were joking around and shooting the breeze.  Someone challenged mother to a question about the type of wood that was in our cabin (I believe, but I can't remember specifically).  Mom unfortunately chose the wrong type...   Joel quickly responded with "Ahhhhhh com'on MAHhhh, I thought you were a VanBoxtel!"  It was a classic - we couldn't really argue with that.  Buck was right.  Hahah!

- End Pause -

Nice choice Buck, and great work men!

Buck's Master Bedroom, the floor is down and sealed!

Camper came up and right away was busy with the impressive wood floor project.  The rest of the Armstrong Crew were also a big help because a massive amount of tile was put down during that same weekend.  It's crazy how different the cabin starts to look after the floors are in.  The floors give the cabin so much character, and it sure beats the cold cement!

Mom was also able to finish up all of the overhead varnishing before the floors went down, which is another thing to check of the to-do list!  Deb is always good at making sure things are done in order in the best effort to avoid any unnecessary spills (or dust)!

Back to business with Little Oscar!  Sawmill extraordinaire!

Now you have an idea of how the wood floors are looking... I can't wait to show you some updates on how the tile looks after it's been grouted throughout the great room!  More photos to come...

Thank you for taking the journey with us as we celebrate the progress and finishing touches of Buck's Cabin that he so carefully planned out!

Buck's Camp Fence Progress: Part I

I wanted to put out a few pictures from some of the more recent progress at Buck's Camp Fence.  First, I want to direct you to a post from my blog where Kate and I painted the bathroom and got some staining done!  Mother has been doing a lot of varnishing in the place.  The ceilings all needed to be covered in varnish, and so do all of the beams in the rooms - it's looking really sharp!

Standing next to the masterpiece! Thanks Craig!

At the same time, Poppa was working hard to get the shower grouted - man the grout really changes the look of the whole shower!  It seems to look better every day!  I think there are just a few more details we need to add before the glass block goes up and it's fully functional.

After the grout - delightful!  Nice grout job Poppa!

In addition to the tile in the bathroom, the majority of the first floor is going to be covered in tile.  Let's just say that there's quite a bit of ceramic to be put down.  These are just the first few rows of tile, but there is more tile and photos to come!

Captain Curty in the kitchen!

Chris was there to master the design - the fine finishing touches.

Thank you for stopping in to check out the progress of the place!  More photos to come!

Buck's Camp Fence: The Shower

I just ordered this in a canvas to show off at Joel's cabin - I love this photo!

Marc, Haus, Joel, and Marty after a chilly bike ride.

Slowly but surely Joel's camp is coming together just how it was planned to.  We are excited to continue to build on the camp and execute Joel's wishes for the many crafty details he wanted to incorporate in the finished cabin!

The first thing we did to take the cabin to the next level was to pick out some ceramic tile.  Mom, Dad and I went to a store that was recommended to Buck by Ben I think - and we found some excellent tile there called "patchwork".  It comes in tan and a darker brown which just struck us as the perfect fit for the common area and the bathroom!  We knew there was going to be a lot of tile in the place, so we needed something with some flair, and this tile consists of different shades of brown/tan all within the same color pallet!  Luckily we found the carpet the same day - the pieces just seem to come together!  Did  I tell you that they all match the counter tops too?  It's like someone is helping us pick this stuff out...

Joel and Haus eating pizza next to the plaster...

The first thing to be done to get the shower ready for tiling was some cement board to lay the foundations for the tile.  Curty and Billy and the other Fence Marsh's tackled the job with a little friend we like to call Ice Hole.

The sheet rock crew, getting the shower ready for tiling!

We all know how much my dad loves to work on details and the jobs that require patience and perfection... Curty is a self proclaimed chainsaw construction man.  Translation: Curty prefers the roar of the chainsaw over the pop of a finishing nailer.   So, when it comes to the shower tile, we had to call in the professionals...  Luckily we had some help from Craig Hellberg for all of the help and design with the shower tile - it looks awesome!  You can see that the walls have tiles at an angle and the shower head is accented by straight tile and a thin trim.  The shower roof is also tile and is straight to break up the design.  They also included a soap holder for the deer urine body wash during hunting season!  Ziggy-Zaggy, Ziggy-Zaggy, Ow, Ow, OW!

The shower before grouting - thank you Craig!

The future kitchen with the first pass of tile...

That weekend Curty and I think Haus and of course many of the other Marsh and Winsand locals started the beginning of the tile in the great room.  We were so excited to see the first couple pieces of this put down.  Dad saw the alternating pattern at Twin Lakes up near Lake Eva, and we thought it would be a great way to break apart the design - I think it's coming together nicely and I cannot wait to see it all grouted!

Relaxing after a long day of work down at Tuffy's camp!

Thank you for all of the help from family and friends - we sure appreciate it, and just look at how far the place has come in such a short time!

-The Marsh's

Groomsman tribute...

Fishing at Lake Eva!  Nice catch brah!

We just returned from lower Michigan to attend a wedding that Joel told me a lot about...  Flap's wedding is what I mostly remember about it.  Always referred to as "Flap's wedding"!   I would always say, "who?" and then he would say "Matt" which left me even more confused...

Flaps and Cara, a photo from Joel's camera...

Finally I figured out who the legendary "Flaps" was, but Joel would just giggle when I asked him how the heck he got such a nickname...  It was always fun to get to know Joel's friends up at Tech through stories and many tall tales that we would share over the phone or over a brewski.  It was even better when I got to meet the men behind the legends when I would go up to Tech to visit Massy.  I always remembered to bring an extra snowmobile coat just to sleep in because it got a little cold outside the warmth of the fireplace in the great room.

Grasswick and Paul down in Chicago... from Joel's camera.

Speaking of cold, I specifically remember that Joel wore flannel pants under his jeans everyday during the Houghton winters.  The only way you knew if he was in his Pajamas or his street clothes was by the presence of jeans.  Buck would always say "zip zip!" take off his jeans revealing his pajama pants and sloppy-toed socks and jump into bed.  Haha, he would then proceed to make some comment about how it saved time... and was efficient.   Three seconds later he would be humming fast asleep with his eyes open...

Yeah, sleeping kind of like this, right Haus?

I'm getting off track.  Anyway, I wanted to highlight some of the many close friends and relationships that Joel found during his time at Tech, Flaps being one of the many great men and classmates he had the opportunity to get to know closely.  Heck, Flaps celebrates his birthday just the day after Buck!

Another shot that Joel took of Matt and Cara down in Chicago - Curty taught Buck well!

We were so honored to be able to witness and celebrate the marriage of Matt and Cara, and to see what a special relationship and friendship Joel had the privilege of seeing grow in strength and depth over the years.  I had heard a lot about Cara through Joel, and because Joel was not usually a man of many words - this spoke to how much Matt cares for her... It was so wonderful to see their wedding.

Joel "Buck" Marsh, Groomsman

Congratulations!

Cheers to a wonderful life of happiness and strength together - I know Buck joined us all for a shot of Jezynowka during the wedding, the peewee dances, and the many fun times we will have together in the future - Congratulations to you both!

The Marsh's

Wing Night Reunion!

Isaar Inn - Wing Party for Joel's Benefit and Clint's Birthday!

Ashley & Chad - Wing Party Winners!

While I was back in Wisconsin for the first week of summer break, we were able to all get together to have wings at Isaar Inn, just down the road from where Joel and I grew up on Isaar Road!  Ashley had won the Wing Party that Isaar Inn donated to Joel's Scholarship Banquet so it was about time to redeem the coupon and get the family together!  We worked to spread the word and the invitation and sat back to enjoy some wings and great company!

Matt, Ryan and Dan!

Shhhnick!

The Koeppel's made it out to Isaar - so great to see you all!

Clint Bodart was also celebrating his birthday, so it was double trouble on the wing party front!  It was so fun to see everyone and catch up - perfect timing over my trip back to the area as well.  I always seem to miss this little mini-reunions, but fortunately I made this one!  Dan and Katie just got settled into the area and it was excellent to see them out and about - we're so excited that they live close - I know Joel was so jacked that Dan had the interview up Marinette!

Hmmm, honey BBQ?  Can't quite be sure!

My twin - Alysa or as we call her, baby windpants!

Alyssa and I came dressed like twins without prior planning, and Bill showed us just how good the wings are at Isaar by leaving a delectable trail up his shirt!  The proof is in the stain(s)!

It was so wonderful catching up, and we're so thankful to all of our friends and family who made the trip out on a Wednesday night.  It's such a blessing that Joel has so many wonderful friends and family who continue to be a part of our lives.  We couldn't ask for more...


-The Marsh's

Happy Father's Day!

Young Buck with Mom's shoes on - thumbs up to the camera!

I thought it is only appropriate to follow up my Mother's Day post with an equally special Father's Day post!  Most of you who know our family know that a lot of our character, ideas and ambitions are greatly influenced by my Dad.  He keeps us strong, focused, grounded, and... Curty is basically just a blast to be around!  

Joel and Dad bringing the "On the Rocks" through the first set of locks!

Snowmobiling up in Houghton - the whole gang is on the trails!

My Dad has always taken most of the pictures so doesn't have the chance to be in many photos!  However, Curty has definitely mastered the art of "self timer" portraits.  Just a few weekends ago he was showing me how you can use handkerchiefs to balance the lens on the camera.  Skills I don't take for granted anymore!

Well, here's to Fathers Day - we hope you had a wonderful day spending time and reflecting on the importance of your fathers, grandfathers and all the people who have been role models in your life!

The first ground breaking months at Camp Fence in the Silver Streak

Happy FATHER'S Day!

Joel R. Marsh Craftsman Scholarship

We were really looking forward to this year's academic scholarship banquet at Seymour Community High School.  Each year a large crowd of graduating seniors and their families gather into the auditorium for the awards and recognitions that students have worked so hard for.  We were very excited that the Joel R Marsh Craftsman Scholarship was going to be featured as one of those awards. 

In addition to our excitement and appreciation, we are so grateful because this very special scholarship was made possible through the generous donations of the community, and the hard work of Joel's friends and extended family.  The fundraising banquet that was held in Seymour allowed us to increase the amount donated to local graduates each year to support their continuing education. 

To bring the award full circle, we were pleased that some of Joel's friends from High School were able to present it to this year's selected students.  The students chosen were both so deserving of the award, and demonstrated many of the unique, compassionate qualities we were looking for.  We want to thank John Kollath, Robert Jankowski, and the Seymour High School Tech department and administration for making this all come together.  We feel honored to be a part of this event and to sponsor students in Joel's name.

We hope you enjoy the video of the event!

Thank you again for your overwhelming support and generosity.

Sincerely,

The Marsh's