When we began building the studio in December, we were leaning towards not using the one way tickets to Europe I bought a year ago for a rediculously low price. I don't remember why exactly, but halfway through we decided to just commit to going - if Portugal will let us in, we're going, became our mantra.
So. We're going.
The last few weeks became a sprint to not only get our affairs in order to be out of the country for a year, but to get the studio buttoned up enough that we'd feel comfortable leaving it. The Mojave isn't gentle on exposed house wrap or untreated wood.
The last screw went in to the last sheet of salvaged metal on Sunday, two days before our departure. The last week was a fit of violent productivity. It felt good at the time - the stress of impending deadlines have a way of forcing a level of performance and effort that I enjoy - but now I feel spent. I'm looking forward to not being able to work on any construction projects for a while.
The studio isn't done, but it'll stay dry inside and the wind and sun won't beat it to pieces before we get back. Future projects include bottle walls for the south windows (currently just boarded up), a horizontal geoexchange field charging a cooling thermal energy storage tank, diy radiant panels, diy solar thermal panels, a front porch, shade structure off the south wall, interior shelving and lighting… oh and trim I suppose. Just a few small things.
Still, it's useable as is. I've been enjoying my early morning coffee and journaling sessions in it, watching the desert lighten, taking in the stillness. It is strange to put so much effort in to a thing and then leave it so suddenly.
