Sure, it's 1924 Termite Colony, but wait...

It's RIGHT on the RIVER. I mean right on the bank. Better pay attention to late night arrivals, we don't want another Chappaquiddick here!


Yes, we found termite wings, frass and pellets everywhere, the swarm must have been prodigious, maybe setting a 87 year record for this little 714 sq ft cottage. Yes, we also found dry rot and a few powder post beetles too. What do you expect? It's an old frame structure in tropical Florida. The surprising thing is that it survived such neglect, certainly a testimony to Florida heart pine and the protective resins found in most of this old-growth lumber. So, you may ask why did Cracker Joe take on this seemingly hopeless case of historical preservation?


It certainly wasn't the charming interior, last remodeled in mid-century kitsch.


Nope, it wasn't the remodeled kitchen with the authentic 1960's turquoise kitchen sink either.


Did I mention the beautiful views?

Anonymous Bulldozer Gothic Installation at Lebanon Station Florida

O.K. Magellan... CIRCUMNAVIGATE THIS!

Two large pumps draw well water up to the top of the man-made mountain. Don't think it's a mountain? Walk out on that catwalk and you'll think again.

Some water is diverted over the spillway that drives a large vaned drum. Why would there be a vaned drum that spins continuously during daylight hours? Exactly the question we asked ourselves whenever we passed the Lebanon Station intersection about 13 miles south of Otter Creek.

There are two stairways leading up to the shaded observation deck with its cantilevered catwalk of vertigo. Could this possibly be the highest point in Florida or just a Water Slide Park without the slide?

L.A. may have Watts Towers, but Levy County has Lebanon Station! Check out the full-sized slide show on Flickr.

Cracker Down!

In honor of Dr. Kervorkian's recent release, long overdue mercy was bestowed upon this cleverly disguised subterranean termite colony.

At first bite you can't really be sure if the damage is being imposed by the all too obvious machine on the left or could it be the red UFO hovering above.

It turned out to be the machine, resistance proved futile,

and about this time, a couple of three foot tall, stuffed ninja turtles tumbled out of the attic and with them surrender.

This is the reason tornado warnings are always accompanied with instructions to find shelter in an interior room.

Substantial timber was saved, including quite a stack of 1x12 pecky cedar purlins. But wait... what's that we see? Could it be...

Yes, the entire structure, stacked, strapped, and headed down the road on two trailers.
Could this be life returning to normal? Happy 2008!

1930's Cottage Restoration Complete

While I may have been quiet, I've been busy. This time with a 1930's beach cottage. While it was in pretty good shape, it needed the floors leveled, a brilliant new bath, new plumbing, reconfiguration of the kitchen, new master bedroom closets with window seat, a diminutive office, a double bunk guest room, a library system in the living room and enough detail work to frustrate a monk.

This is the result of the last 11 months of work.

Looking Up - Looking Ahead

Life is good. My whining Otter Creek neighbor sold out and moved. After the temporary building official in Cedar Key reversed their commitment, we sold our lots there. I'm looking forward to spending more time in Otter Creek.

See that old cracker in the background, the one that's encroaching on my neighbor's lot? I't got to go and I plan to start work on the old turquoise cracker cottage soon. I've already submitted my application for a building permit. Can't wait to get started again.

Alligator Alley Anomaly

I'm not sure if he's redefining art or just figured out a way to use up the roll ends from the local tape factory.
The novel treatment and his crash helmet spooked me into maintaining the speed limit while I tried to figure out his game. But, it was hard to see any details at 60MPH. Could this be some sick Highway Patrol scheme? When we finally got to a stoplight,

I was able to take a closer look.. Now no more clear than before.

Cracker Chic?

Cracker architecture was born of necessity and honed with practicality. A simple homespun style that provided basic shelter and over the years expanded to accommodate family growth. Tall windows and high ceilings helped provide comfort in pre-air-conditioned Florida. "Cracker Style" is reflected in tin roofs, hip shaped to resist hurricane winds. The indigenous cedar, cypress and heart pine repelled termites and weathered to a rich patina.

An appreciation for a new Cracker Style began 20 years ago in Seaside and expanded along the Gulf Coast. These contemporary imitations, now dubbed Cracker Chic, are reminiscent of the original. But, they sport vinyl windows, laminate floors, plywood paneling and synthetic siding. New buyers drawn to the style must unconsciously long for the honest materials of the original, their patterns of use, the irregularity and imperfection bestowed by time. At least they can still experience the authentic sound of rain on their shiny new galvalume roofs.