More updates:

• We now have an official Septic Permit. We filed it Monday, Oct 30th, and it was approved Tuesday, Oct 31st. So much for 2 weeks. Simply put, all things test out, they can now install the system into the location we wanted. It’s a good thing.
• Our electrical and phone lines are buried and running from street to the edge of what will be the house. Short story about the phone. After measuring the length required (620′), I call them and request 650′ (to make sure we have enough). They’ll have it ready in two business days, and oh yeah, we’ll reserve 700′ just in case you need more. OK, no problem, whatever, I guess. Then, I think, just how much space does 700′ of in-ground phone wire take up? And how heavy is that? Will it fit in the Jeep?
      The Closest location to pick it up is Silverton (~20 miles). So, two business days later, I drive to Silverton. After finding the small building for Verizon, I park and go to the door. It’s locked. WTH, I think (or something like that). Curious, I walk around the side. Nothing but signs alerting me to the fact it’s for employees only, or authorized vehicles. Hmmm…. As I’m about to leave (peeved), I see 2 spools sitting on the ground. One says ‘MURPHY, 700 ft.’. So, I picked it up (I’d guess ~40lbs, btw), carried across the street to the truck (borrowed my father-in-law’s), and off I go. Somehow felt like I was stealing. A bit bizarre!
      Early next week, Portland General Electric (PGE) is going to set the transformer and plug us in–with temporary power for now so those out there can actually build.
• Suffice it to say some wrinkles in the lending. There will be a blog entry on that in due time, but for now we’re not dead yet, but, well cripes! they are asking for some somewhat strange stuff.
• Also Monday the 30th, we filed for Building Permit. 2 hour process! In the course of that, we have filed to consolidate the 2 tax lots into one single lot. You may recall, the taxation deemed this as 2 10-acre parcels. However, the deed is such that it is one single 20-acre property. Building a residence is dependant on the deed. However, it is always a delay when filing with the county for things. They want to tell us that we cannot build on the 2nd tax parcel, when in fact we can. So, legally, while we can build there, everything slows down when anyone reads it cause the red flags go up. So, soon will be 1 deed, 1 tax lot.
      This one will take 2 (possibly 2½) weeks.

Physically, the site basically looks the same as it did in the last set of pictures, so no new ones at this point.

More as more occurs!