Hello Bloggers,
Next in our mini-series of guest bloggers (preceded by licensed contractor Matt Blashaw) is carpenter Marc Bartolomeo, host of DIY Network’s Kitchen Impossible:
“My time at the jobsite of this year’s Blog Cabin was in a word … interesting (and muddy!!). The drive alone up to the property - which is on a 2,000 acre land preserve nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains was an 8.8 mile, 25-minute drive off the main road to the Cabin …
“This year’s summer retreat home is OUT IN THE WOODS! A perfect picturesque setting for some much needed “R&R” by anyone in today’s fast-paced world! No cell phone reception (except for one hotspot located near a Black Locust tree, while standing on one foot, arm outstretched and chewing on a piece of aluminum foil left behind by the caterers!). No traffic noise whatsoever! Just the tranquil sound of a rolling brook and air sooo crisp you can feel it cleanse your lungs … AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhh … Quiet!
“Until, you reach the foot of the driveway! Some 100 yards up the hill to the bustling jobsite, where there was anywhere from 30-40 tradesmen and numerous pieces of earth-moving hydraulic machinery hard at work and buzzing along! It seemed like a scene from the Money Pit, only no Shelley or Tom:) But DIY’s “go-to-girl” Amy Matthews was there, along with roofers, siders, deckers, floor installers, masons, foremen, producers, camera crews … WoW!! Blog Cabin 2009 is ON!! Oh yeah … and did I mention yet, the PRECIPITATION?!! It was instantly clear – we was gonna git dirty!!
“There was thick, gloppy, North Carolina clay mud up to our ankles! Soo much so, that the removal of a dumpster first thing in the morning was almost an impossible task which took over an hour to haul away with the aid of every piece of equipment on the job. It immediately set the tone for my next few days up on the mountainside.
“As I climbed up the driveway to the cabin it was as though I was walking on the moon covered in Cheez Wiz 4-6 inches thick. It was time to get down to serious business and begin with the three (count ‘em: 3) kitchen installs! The main kitchen, a downstairs (almost full) kitchen and an outdoor grilling/BBQ station. Yes, three kitchens! Kitchen Impossible is an understatement. The single most difficult task was getting materials and products up the driveway and into the house. Just wait till you see the episode … comical, I tell ya!
“Working with Amy Matthews was soo great and hilarious as well. We really never saw the sun. There was only a few brief times where there were no periods of rainfall or mudslides. We were trucking for 12-13 hours a day. I wore the same outfit for three days! Hey, I was up in the mountains … stuff like that has to happen when you are out in the country. When I got back to my hotel for the night, there was no taking in the sights of Asheville, N.C. or its great music and art scene. It was a high pressure, dousing shower and a deep, hibernating bear-like sleep!
“We certainly worked hard. Something I enjoy doing and am no stranger to. A good hard-earned day is good for maintaining character and poise. We hustled and completed as much off our to do list as possible. But battling both Mother Nature and the mountains proved to be a huge undertaking. In fact, I (we) never even got to start on the outdoor BBQ located on the second story deck. I was certainly confident that Amy and the crew can button up any of the projects that were left undone.
“Would I go back again, if asked?! Heck YEAH!! A li’l or a lot of dirt/mud isn’t gonna keep this Brooklyn boy outta the country! It was like camping, construction and survival all wrapped up into one.
“Thanks to all the bloggers – I hope you enjoy Blog Cabin 2009 as much as I did working on it!”
Marc
Marc,
Thank you for you wonderful informative and funny blog.
You painted a great picture for us.
Wish they would post some to go along with your blog.
Marc,
What a fantastic blog you left for us. Can’t wait to see the episode.
I’ve fallen in love with this awesome cabin! A most perfect site to create my art work; you can bet I will submit entries. The NC site is also so beautiful and I love the mountains! Looking forward to seeing the interior; if anything like the outside, I know it will be so perfect. Thanks…
Hi All!
MARC, it was great to hear about your experiences! I am certainly glad the the cabin is finished when the contest begins. could you imagine if the winner had to even put in the landscaping and drive? What a challenge in that environment! It was nice to hear how remote it really is! And how beautiful and quiet!
Thanks for sharing with us,
Gail
Marc,
What a great description of your days at the cabin! I can not wait to see the finished product!!!! Everyone is working so hard and doing such a great job. Whoever gets this home will be in heaven!
Marc, Thank you for sharing with us. I can visualize your experience with the pictures the BC crew and some fortunate bloggers have shared with us. No Cell phone coverage? Now days, I am sure you must have felt lost… well, for maybe a day. Once you got busy I can see you forgetting all about contacting the rest of the world. The home is spectacular. You have every right to feel proud and honored to work on the home. We are fortunate to have you build our dream cabin. I am sure from what DIY had permitted us to see in their video’s that you had a great time with Amy Matthews. She is one capable, witty and beautiful girl. We have all be patiently waiting to see the episodes and to begin entering to win the home. After working for a local government, retirement in such a remote location in a beautiful home is a dream come true. Thank you for being a part of that dream.
God Bless,
9 out of 10 on the Trivia Quiz. I had to guess on #10.
What’s happened to Watson??? Did he get stuck in the mud? Or maybe got nailed into the framing???
Marc what a wonderful blog, I have always enjoyed your show. You gave such great visuals on your blog can’t wait to see that episode.
Lillie Watson must be lost with Amy. Gee last year we got more comments from Watson. Even Ahmed chimed in. Whats up with the host.
Attn Trivia players I am going to make the questions harder for the last few days of July…. giggle Good Luck
Hugs and Prayers
Hi Marc, I was watching your show last night Kitchen Impossible, and just had finished it, when I decided I’d come check the facebook and i surprisingly found your wonderful blog entry there and at the same time, I had a nice chat with bc buddy Kathy. I’m sure you did an awesome job on the kitchens, I can’t wait to see them. I really Wish that diy would have posted pics or a video along with your blog though. And man, sorry reception was a bit spotty there. I would have liked to have seen you all trying to figure out reception with that tin foil. LOL. I’m sure the bc construction crew is having a laid back but fun time working hard up there on the yonder mountains. Reception bad, no way, what with all that tree cover, huh? Well that’s good when you get there, you are in your own little world. No contacting unless you want it. I guess, maybe you should have climbed to the top story and stuck your head out the window, maybe you would have picked up a signal that way. You know sort of like the old roof top antennas. (hee hee!) And I appreciate your wonderful story of how your days there went. It was a blast reading, really looking forward to seeing those kitchens.