| . |
 |
 ROCKY
MOUNTAIN RETREATBACK Story by Theresa L Wolf Photography © 1998 Roger Wade If you plan to visit Pam and Jeff Hatch, a map with specific directions and a desire to travel miles of back country will hold you in good stead. Situated at 7,500 ft. on roads less traveled, the couple's new home is a fair distance in latitude, altitude and attitude from their previous formal 8,500 sq. ft. residence in Florida, where they spent their working years. "Before we retired, we spent many years hunting in this area and love the seclusion and view. We chose the site because it had the privacy we desired but it is still close enough to civilization for the amenities we enjoy," Pam says. Pam and Jeff's journey toward the completion of their log home began and ended with Log Knowledge, Inc. of LaPorte, Colorado. They initially contacted Brad Burgat, president of Log Knowledge, but then spent the next months checking out other log companies. They went back to Log Knowledge because they were impressed with the quality, look and expertise of their construction. "Brad is very knowledgeable. He is also a gentleman and holds true to his word. I have built 13 houses and I can tell you, I do not often run into the professionalism which Brad displays," Jeff explains. Throughout the home, Log Knowledge endeavored to use the logs both functionally and aesthetically. For example, log columns were placed at strategic points in the entrance walk-through to support the internal bearing points of the log spans. "The
double log staircase serves as a wall division between the dining
room/kitchen area and the great room. The manner in which it is
positioned actually assists in a logical flow of traffic through
the lower level by using the arch under the staircase as the entrance
into the great room," Brad explains. "This may not be
a cost-effective way to create a wall, but the staircase adds so
much aesthetically to the home the extra expense was worth it to
the Hatches." The couple completed the remaining interior work, including staining, finishing and installing the trim work around the windows and the tongue and groove ceiling in the dining room. Pam laughingly explains they did have Brad bring in scaffolding to install the ceiling in the great room since neither she nor Jeff were interested in reaching those heights. To add personality to their home and reflect oneness with the environment, Jeff and Pam enlisted the talents of Jim Dunn, a Red Feather Lakes, Colorado artisan, to carve various animals in select woods. On the four log columns supporting the loft, Jim created images of the native pine trees. Jim inscribed two raccoons and two bears on the four newel posts on the double staircase leading from the great room to the second story loft master bedroom. Pam wanted the home to have a blending of woods to avoid a one-dimensional look. Beetle-killed pine was chosen for the interior doors, hickory for the hardwood floors, and walnut cabinetry in the kitchen and dining room. Cedar furniture, handcrafted by Jeff, provides additional color.
Entertaining is an enjoyable part of Jeff and Pam's lives and they have made many new friends among the residents of this Colorado subdivision. Both enjoy cooking, so Pam had the kitchen designed spaciously to accommodate both of them during their culinary activities. Floor-to-ceiling walnut cabinets were installed on the east walls of both the kitchen and the dining room to serve as pantry and storage area. The kitchen is also open to the dining and great rooms for ease of entertaining. In addition to the six-burner Heartland converted gas burning range, a two-burner Jenn-Aire grill was placed in the countertop facing the dining room. A brass and steel chandelier in the dining room, designed and fashioned by Rock Corbett of Bigfork, Montana, depicts a mountain vista with deer, elk and moose among a stand of pines. Rock also lent his talents to the great room chandelier, made completely from shed antlers found in the wild.
"We love the four seasons and are active no matter what the weather," Jeff says. Pam adds, "Last year we had four feet of snow. We were supposed to have a neighborhood chili cook off and no one could get there so we just went and picked them up on the snowmobiles. We have even used the ATVs to break through the snow to clear a path for the vehicles." For
many, retirement means leaving the snow and north country behind
and moving to the sunshine belt. Pam and Jeff Hatch, however, are
among those who are reversing this trend and are finding new adventures
in the more remote areas in their log him in the shadows of the
Rocky Mountains. -- |
During
the construction process, Jeff and Pam lived in the motor coach
on the property with their four Siamese cats. One of their favorite
memories is a party they hosted for their new neighbors. "We
had no roof and everyone was knee-deep in sawdust, but we had a
great time," Jeff recalls. 
The
location of the home is a perfect launching place for the couple's
many interests. A five-stall garage houses the equipment for their
many hobbies in addition to hunting and fishing. His and her SUVs
occupy two of the stalls while a third is devoted to their four-wheel
ATVs, another for their snowmobiles, and the fifth for Jeff's woodworking
equipment.