First pole for 2012

I am back in Montana for a summer of building. The first thing I did was apply for a building permit for the garage. It is under review by the planning committee. I should hear back by next week.
I applied for an extension on my electrical wiring permit. I probably won't finish the wiring for a couple of years. I visited the USDA Forest Service in Butte and applied for a pole permit to cut poles for the deck railing. They told me a couple of places to look, and when I find what I want, to come back and get the permit. I went in the mountains today an cut all the poles I should need for the deck. Here I am below dragging the first log out. Three elk ran in front of us as we were coming out of the mountains today.

I also bought electrical supplies to wire in lights in the basement interior and on the outside of the basement. 

Tomorrow I will start peeling logs for the rails and the posts. I found a place up by Helena, MT that makes peeled and shaped spindles out of the same poles (Just smaller diameter) I cut for the rails and posts. I will just have to hand peel the spindles so they match the look of the rails and posts. This will save me a lot of time this year. 

Some of the poles I cut today were dead so I can stain them before installing them. The ones that were still alive will have to dry until August or so before they will take the stain.  

It appears there are 11 antelope who think they own the property now. The snort at me every morning when I walk outside. Monday morning I woke up and saw one walk right past my car and around to the north side of the house.