Go straight here to apply....


Be forewarned --- the application process requires some time... and asks for lots of documents - passport -- birth certificate (I think) etc.... so be prepared to be a little frustrated....

It takes a few weeks to hear back from them -- once you're "pre approved" -- then you schedule an appointment where they tell you (your area).


https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/main/goes

Greg Welds shop
 

Greg
I have a used diesel generator I was
going to give to my Dad but he decided he did not want it
It will not meet Kalifornia smog. Been in my shop a couple
of years just sitting. You can have it if you want
Just need to load it and go

I hate to scrap it. Would be good to go to a new home
You will need a transformer. I have the specs. I think 50kw
Specs are at my office

Let me know

Panteracer NorCal Bob

I appreciate the offer Bob - I really do... but I already have generators. Including diesel versions big enough to run the house. Perhaps someone that doesn't already have one could use it.

Having lived in the Pacific NorthWET all my life - owning generators is part and parcel with living where there's plenty of wind storms and large trees right next to the power lines...

Got my Global Entry ID card in the mail yesterday....yippee......

Great!!! I called my cop buddy yesterday === You should leave the country now so it can be "tested" to see if you can get back in. Just a heads up -- make sure you pick somewhere to go that you really like. <snickering>

"Motor Court" Everyone needs a house with a designated Motor Court! I love it.

While I like the plans of the shop, and I'm sure it'll be even nicer in it's final rendition, I'm also digging the kitchen with the eat in area that leads out to the covered porch...with a fireplace. I imagine that area there will get used more than any other part of the house as a gathering area. At least with us it would anyway.

When we remodeled our "kitchen area" we built in a raised "L" shaped bar that seats 8 right off of the kitchen with views out the back of the house right next to our dining room which doubles as our TV room. This is where we congregate and any time we have company over, it's where everyone hangs out enjoying food, adult beverages of choice, and each other in a comfortable setting. If there was a bedroom right off of this area, pretty sure we'd never even go anywhere else in the whole house.

Only think I'm missing is the covered porch and I'm still trying to figure out a way to make that happen. We'd like to be able to sit outside and enjoy the view...while having a roof over our head at the same time. Added plus is a fireplace going to keep the area warm. Real fireplace or gas (propane)?

It all looks very nice Greg. It shows that you've put a lot of thought into the planning which is crucial.

Side note here, not sure I know or want to know what a deciduous shrub is...but it appears that you want a lot of them around though. :lol:

Lance ---

Several of the design elements are "forced" by code.

#1 - Motor Court... this is a must and had to be enlarged because the fire department bought a new 'rig' right after the big fires here this summer! We had to re-submit plans enlarging this and the driveway so that their new truck can make a 3 point turn. Not kidding here. We don't have enough friends to fill this area up unless Charley brought every car he owns.


#2 - The house - as posted up here - has changed quite a lot in room sizes and arrangement. The "living areas" -- which to me are exactly as you described -- the kitchen - family room - area got BIGGER.... Because when we tried to actually arrange furniture there --- we discovered they became "tight".


#3 - The shop area has been changed significantly. Once actual models of the semi -- and my other stuff were made - things had to change... I'm really happy with the final design but this area required the most work!


#4 - It was critical, in our view, that "company" (children etc) be as far away as possible from the main living areas. Not because we don't like them - but because people "on vacation" tend to drink more than normal -- being louder -- and kids tend to be worn out and need their nighty nite time.


#5 - I agree with you that the extended roofline out over the outdoor fireplace will be a "highlight" of the house. It will have the fireplace as well as be heated by outdoor space heaters. I don't have good enough pics on file to show the views from there -- but this will be a focal point for hanging out.


#6 - The kitchen has some of those areas showing "stuff" were just placeholders so we could get the rooms and room placement right. The stove - for instance - won't be where it is etc. Those changes are all in the new plans that I don't have PDF files for yet. Should have them this week


#7 - I have a call in to Charley to see about the mortgage. So far I haven't received a call back.

When we did our kitchen, we went and picked out all of the appliances we (she) wanted first...then I sat down with a pencil and paper (and an eraser...don't forget the eraser) and designed the kitchen around where the appliances would fit. It took many renditions before we finally found a plan that would work while making the most and best use of the space available. So I'm well aware of what the planning phase is like. :unibrow:

Make sure you save room in the kitchen for one of these...

http://www.mieleusa.com/images/miele...x/news/CVA.jpg

We love ours!

Designed the whole damn kitchen layout around it, but it is totally worth it if you like good coffee.

Good luck on your new project Greg, I hear that Sun Valley is similar to Jackson Hole, very nice place. We are close to finishing our new home project, It has been going since 10-12. Isn't it funny how you design a house and If you notice everytime you change the plans they get bigger!
Good luck
Travis

I'll try to make this a quick story about a similar problem we ran into... My business partner is from NC he built rented and sold single family vacation homes on the Outer Banks for over 20 years. The last one we built was North of the paved road, one had to drive up the beach, then over a large sand dune to get back to the house. It is a 10 bedroom house, 3 stories tall. The plans were approved by the County and construction started. When it came time for the framing inspection, the County inspector wouldn't approve it because the peak of the roof was just under 35' tall, even though the plans the County approved specifically showed this. Height restriction was due to the inability to get a firetruck with a ladder tall enough to reach a roof over 30' tall to the house... Two separate codes on the books = 1 huge problem.

Spent almost a year in meetings with the County trying to decide what to do. Several heads rolled, and in the end, we ended up cutting the peak off of the roof and making it a flat top.

What a clustermess...

http://sunrealtync.smugmug.com/photo...-R9fGhdP-L.jpg

We have quite the "team" doing this house.... we have the Architects... and an independent designer - not an "interior designer" to pick colors etc - but a design firm that specializes in a "holistic" design approach - their job is to do all the design work that requires cabinets - fixtures - lighting fixtures - as well as a complete review of door placements and which way they swing - etc. So this firm designs for the build - exactly where every wall socket goes - and exactly how high a wall sconce should be off the floor etc. Super detailed.

We also have a lighting design firm - and their job is to design all of the interior and exterior lighting. Lighting can make a room or house. How the lights are placed (up or down lighting) - the type - etc. With the stone that's in the interior of the house - there will be lighting that does nothing but accent and shadow the stone walls.

What we've found with working with a team like this -- is some fantastic little changes that will make all the difference in the world. They're not expensive changed -- they're just "if you did X look what it would do to Y". I personally - having retired from being in the furniture and design business as a wholesaler -- love this stuff. A sofa is just a sofa - until you get the right fabric and accent pillows etc on it.

Our builders - don't build "normal" houses... it's all custom stuff... and they have been fantastic at bringing ideas to the process - having done various things in other builds. They also bring what they all refer to as "value engineering" to the table. There's many ways to skin the cat -- and they look at stuff and say -- if you turned this wall into a pour in place wall - we could then just use "lick and stick" stone instead of building it out of full stone... WAY CHEAPER to do lick and stick! So all of that is where we are at now -- a total review of how it's to be built and the line items plugged in and minor adjustments made as that review process gets drilled down on.

I love this stuff... it gives me something to do other than to figure out what changes I'd want to make to which car over the winter. Some folks think the process is too complicated or overwhelming -- I love it and love the details and I know how important those can be. It isn't the first house we've built -- or the first remodel so we understand the little things that you forgot in the last one -- or you placed wrong in the last one...Like you want a table lamp over by the sofa but that's not against the wall -- so you need a floor receptacle etc. Our cell phones and all their related chargers etc will be INSIDE a drawer so we don't have that kind of stuff out in the open. It might seem small -- but to me it's a "why not" kind of detail. No different than which way a door swings.

I won't have a built in coffee maker... While it's the rage right now - we tend not to do trendy.. because 10 years from now - that one is out of date and the new one doesn't fit in that hole -- etc. We use "getting a good cup of coffee" as an excuse to walk into town. And I'm a certified coffee freak! Besides - it gives me an excused to BS with my buddy Rizzo... The Starbucks here (and I'm not defending their coffee -- (I only get coffee from made with the Clover) is the center of the known universe.

Travis ---- we began by saying we wanted 4500 to 5000 feet... with the changes it became 8000 feet!!! We then told the architect -- who had decided on his own to just push thing this way and that -- that he had to "find" a way to take at least 1500 to 2000 feet OUT of this project!! A) there's only the two of us most of the time B) we can't afford to build 8000 feet with all the cost of the shop and everything else C) we're not really very fancy people and thought the whole idea of living in a McMansion was just ostentatious and certainly not "us" -- having said that -- I'd still build smaller than what we are - but there becomes a point in the "I want list" and what it takes to get there - and what the area "demands" due to dirt costs etc.

Yes -- similar to Jackson Hole -- but I think Sun Valley is much friendlier and a lot less touristy and we tend to attract people that own here (second houses etc) over the come for the weekend/week crowd. The airport and services here SUCK... and that holds down the fly in and out folks. It takes some effort to get here.

Greg Weld's house
 

You guys are doing it wrong.. it is suppose
to be a 1 bedroom, 1 bath house with a 10,000 sf shop:)

But I know what you mean.. When Mom and Dad retired
they moved to their Ranch and built at 7500 sf house not
counting the large 3 car garage, the shop, the pole barn
and the two other houses.. Now it is just Dad and he spends
most of his time traveling.. He finally got a cowboy and his
family to live in one of the houses and take care of a lot of
the things.. although at 80 he still works his ass off when he
is at home.. old guy climbing the hay stack to get bales to
take out to the pasture

Panteracaer Norcal Bob

If it was just left up to me -- I'd just have the shop -- who needs a bedroom? I'd just stay in the toter.

In the interest of "getting old" which it seems we close that gap sooner and sooner --- we do have an elevator serving all three floors. We are going to die in this house. This is it - the coupe d'gras (or is it poop the grass?)... and figured our friends are getting older as well. Lugging cases of wine up the stairs and suitcases etc -- I figure might be done easier "mechanically". HAHAHAHAHA!


While the landscaping seem like 'a lot' it's done with Sun Valley mountain living in mind - note there's no grass to mow... :>)

Greg, just so you know I am up for adoption. Haha. :bow:

Beautiful. Man. put those dividend checks to work! heheh


I'll be sending in my reservation request card in a couple years. ;)

Here is the plans for my new house. I just haven't been able to convince Robyn that this will be good for us.

Your mother called -- said she never wanted to raise a trust fund baby....










Perfect 'cause that's just about when she'll be done!












Woman are just so.... so..... well..... so practical.

Garage isn't big enough.

Maybe a loft over the bedroom with a view would close the deal. :unibrow:

Can I come play golf? :) I'll even sleep in the garage. :hello:

You can come play golf --- but you can't sleep in the garage - because that's where I'll most likely be. LOL

Fair enough, I'll be in the media room then :popcorn2:

I'm thinking a Lat-g golf tourney might be just a little bit of good old fashion fun!

Best Ball, Alternate Shot, and Scramble formats of course! :stirthepot:

Sounds good, but I want some heads up games too! :warning:

What I've been holding out on is the top speed runs up hiway 75 towards Galena Pass.... FOUR Bugatti Veyrons showed up... and we know they can run!


http://www.sunvalleyroadrally.com

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DN4bJhC3Va...600/smails.jpg

:thumbsup:

That's it Sieg.

http://www.msd-foundation.org.php54-...5/GolfFace.png

:topic:

Greg, the roadrally sounds very tempting, and is designed to help a worthy cause. I'm very interested in this, and will do more research. Thanks for the link!

I've emailed the head of the deal --- a guy I met last summer when I was cruising around in the '32 and of course this being a small town he buttonholed me about the event. I won't miss it this summer for certain.

You watching or driving this one?

Well -- I'd be a donor and then I'd just watch -- I don't have anything street legal that i'd try to drive fast. My little F-150 pick up wouldn't be much fun... and we got rid of the R8 and the S63.

I don't think my hot rods would be much in the top speed driving.

Gotcha! Didn't know the R8 was gone.

Well... this move to Sun Valley -- which was a "sudden" decision for us last year at this time... has us making some life changes. This is a super small town... We walk most of the time. With the addition of our Chocolate Lab "Stella" ---- and the hiking and biking and skiing etc... there's not much use for high end cars. We're not going to take Stella for a hike on the dirt trails and then have her jump in the R8 or the S63.... so those went down the road. I am most likely the only human in the entire universe to ever trade in a 20,000 mile S63 on an F-150 pickup. Gwen decided she wanted to get a white Porsche Cayenne GTS -- ditching the Black turbo -- and since it was summer - they took the R8 and sold that for us - rather than waiting until next year and having it depreciate even more...

So far -- I've been using about 1/8th of a tank of gas a week or 10 days in the F-150 and the Range Rover sits in the garage.

Cars here are FILTHY all the time --- even though there is ONE car wash in town (OMG I swear on my own life -- to think of running a black car through that thing is just WRONG!!). It snows - and the sun comes out - and it turns into black crud... and it's cold as hell so you can't wash with a bucket and hose... so what I'm trying to say is -- the car situation over here just had to be changed up.

Once we move in to the house -- the stuff will all be washed by hand INDOORS... in the shop. But that's 2 years away.

It will be nice, I haven't been up that way before I bought my 67 chevelle from a guy in Pocatello, I remember him telling me about a big car auction up there do they still do that?
5000 s.f. Is still a dam big house. I will send you some pictures of the one we are having built. It has a 5 car garage. Does your wife have you watching the home shows yet? They have been on at our house for the last 2 years. Good luck:tv_happy:

Well... Quite frankly... there's no good reason to have a house this size for two people. But the shop is the focal point of my life - and as it got sized to accommodate the stuff that needs to be in there... and as that area grew the upper floors grew. And we wanted separation for guests/kids etc. so they just take on a life of their own. All told this is now 6,700 square feet -- the shop is 4,300 and with the garage the whole thing is 12,000ish square feet. JUST SHOOT ME....

I retired from the wholesale furniture business -- style - fabrics - colors - that's my background professionally... so I do that stuff, not Gwen. We must agree - but we agree really well. We're two peas in a pod that way.

Not sure how this became a house picture thread -- but since it originally started out asking if I'd have a hi-tech parking garage... I guess it's okay to hijack it.... which it's too late anyway. Sorry Jody!


So since this is a car site -- the only part of the house thats of any real interest is the garage space. So we changed a few things since the original drawings were posted. Instead of two huge doors - it was better to do one huge door --- and a smaller more normal door. That meant things had to move around -- which lead to representative place holders being drawn up.

I will never park the pickup in this area -- since we have a normal garage up above with better access to the house... but we put it in anyway since this is the parts chaser and it needed to be accommodated.


The posts are staggered so that a car can actually be driven in -- and maneuvered to get to the lift -- and or just stored. The bump out on the right
is to accomodate tire storage. When you have 3 regular vehicles and 2 track cars - tires seem to stack up. Winter tires for the normal stuff and spares for the track stuff (I have 3 full sets of wheel / tire combo just for the Lotus!)...

The rear most area is the machine shop.





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...House/Shop.jpg





Now you get the idea for the staggered door sizes.....and these views start to reveal the "BIG DIG" that has to take place in order to fit the semi in there! Thanks Charley!..... NOT!





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...ouse/Front.jpg






And here's the roofline area showing the general shape of the house... with the three separate wings - and the wings are on different elevations as well - because of the shape of the hillside.





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a.../Rooflines.jpg

Do you like the look, balance, a.k.a. "the flow" of the large garage door for the semi with the smaller one to the right?

You have to disconnect the tractor to have the whole rig inside?!? Come on GW, dig a little deeper into mountain.... :stirthepot:



Jeff-

Big door 14' tall? Does that make the ceiling in the garage 18' tall?

Sure hope you don't hit rock digging that out... :evil:

After we sneak over there and put a BIG A** Weld Racing decal on that door it will break the expanse and flow fine. :D