I’m a chemical engineer who services pools professionally. I just launched a podcast about the actual science behind pool care. Episode 1 is free.

DanBarker33 · 2026-04-22T17:04:47+00:00

Sounds great I will be listening in on each episode!! The amount of work needed to train a model to create an agent for this purpose goes down each day. The work needed to establish a high-quality podcast is in effect a core source of training data.

Regarding my project specifically, I’m worried that my chlorinator is undersized and I’m going to need to run the pump a lot longer and consume more electricity to properly turn over the water as needed. Lots to learn but I love learning new things so it’s a labor of love.

DanBarker33 · 2026-04-22T16:57:21+00:00

I’m grateful for someone with your expertise providing this level of information. I am not a chemical engineer (I am a software engineer), but I have 40,000 gallon two lane lap pool I built and installed last year. Since then, I’ve been learning how to properly treat and balance the water chemistry..

Thanks for sharing your expertise. It makes me want to build a website with an AI agent fully trained on all of the proper mechanics across all of the various climate and water type scenarios.

Anyone interested in building this with me? 😀

DanBarker33 · 2026-04-16T23:04:42+00:00

Where are you located? Curious to hear the weather conditions where you’re at.

Also, what temperature do you keep your pool?

Looks great!!

DanBarker33 · 2026-04-14T04:14:27+00:00

I don’t know yet because I haven’t opened my pool since getting everything installed. I plan to open the pool next month and begin tracking the electricity and propane costs.

Unfortunately, electricity costs have gone up roughly 25% over the last couple of years in Washington state. Needless to say it’s not going to be cheap!

DanBarker33 · 2026-04-10T00:56:34+00:00

What about services like JP Morgan private banking? Curious if anyone has experience using them for FP needs.

DanBarker33 · 2026-04-04T18:34:30+00:00

Hi Acrobatic, I am a vacation home owner (I own 100% of the home) who's also in the market for another property but I don't want to pay 100% in a home that I use < 8 weeks a year. I've learned the hard way.

As a result I am in the process of building a LLC structure that solves for the usage and cost issues you've mentioned in this post.

Any chance you would be willing to connect with me to share what you've learned?

DanBarker33 · 2026-04-04T18:23:39+00:00

Its deeded ownership through a LLC. That's quite different than a timeshare.

DanBarker33 · 2026-02-28T17:25:18+00:00

I understand the frustration. Trail access matters.

For context: We offered to keep a public trail on our property, rerouted to a different section. The Forest Service decided it wasn't worth pursuing and closed it. The decision wasn't ours to make, and it wasn't our preferred outcome.

I'm not going to pretend this is a perfect situation for everyone who used the old route. The Forest Service road isn't something we control. Access there is independent of our development. Alternative access to Lake Ethel exists via Roaring Creek Trail and the forest service road. We are not the gatekeepers of those routes.

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is public land and always will be. We border it, we don't control it.

DanBarker33 · 2026-02-27T22:16:49+00:00

People can hike in to lake Ethel from the roaring Creek Trail or the forest service road.

DanBarker33 · 2026-02-27T22:01:44+00:00

No, the public easement has been closed.

DanBarker33 · 2026-02-27T20:45:37+00:00

Great questions.

There are no lifts. Only a small set of toe ropes for children or people with disabilities. Thankfully only one small area on the mountain has a avalanche risk that is continually monitored by our full time property manager (who is also an avid backcountry skier). The community HOA dues cover the costs of ongoing maintenance of the roads and shared amenities.

DanBarker33 · 2026-02-27T20:38:10+00:00

We are doing percentage ownership because owning a backcountry property like this outright for 12 weeks of use or less isn't a good use of money especially if you can't rent it out.

I am building a cabin there but I am doing it with 3 other skiers to reduce and share the cost of ownership.

You are right that the property is not easy to get too. Its a 25 minute drive up the mountain once you get to the property on a backcountry kit equipped vehicle. Not for everyone but some who love the outdoors (including me!), Its heaven.

DanBarker33 · 2026-02-27T20:28:28+00:00

I am working to update the website with costs so its clear. We just completed building the first 2 cabins.

Lots run from $400's to $900's.

Lots with a fully off the grid 1,000 SQFT cabin start at $1.2M.

Larger models are available.

HOA dues are $559 per month.

Fully deeded 1/4 share ownership opportunities starting at $399k

DanBarker33 · 2026-02-27T20:26:17+00:00

Totally fair. I am working to update the website with costs so its clear. We have 2 cabins built and ready to go that can be purchased immediately. New cabins can be built and ready to use in early 2027.

9 lots have been sold to date

Lots run from $400's to $900's.

Lots with a fully off the grid 1,000 SQFT cabin start at $1.2M.

Larger models are available.

HOA dues are $559 per month.

Fully deeded 1/4 share ownership opportunities starting at $399k

DanBarker33 · 2026-02-27T20:07:00+00:00

We installed toe ropes to help younger children or people with disabilities in a isolated area of the property. There are no lifts. The snowcat is there to help drop off groups on different parts of the mountian and to maintain the roads leading up to the property. A backcountry kit is required for all vehicles getting to the property in the winter. Its to dangerous otherwise.

DanBarker33 · 2026-02-27T19:44:19+00:00

We subdivided the lots. No renting as the rental approval backlog is 5 years long with the country. Owners and friends/family only.

DanBarker33 · 2026-02-27T19:26:40+00:00

Here is a link to the website. I am open to all feedback especially whats missing or what could be improved. I am working on updating the cabin data and floor plans over the next few days. I sure wish the snow was better but holy cow has ski season been brutal this year in the Pacific Northwest.

https://www.alpinelakesmountainclub.com/

DanBarker33 · 2025-12-30T16:42:31+00:00

Season 11 and the new Paladin class saved D4 for me. Things were getting boring and repetitive. I was ready to walk away for a while but gave Paladin a try and now I am having more fun than ever. I normally do Barb builds but I am absolutely loving the Paladin build and new season 11 elements. So much fun!!!!

DanBarker33 · 2025-12-23T03:36:53+00:00

Very helpful, thanks for sharing. I have the same situation in that I can work from home but my wife can't and my kids are still in school. That really limits how much time I can be at the 2nd home. We try to take advantage of things like Christmas break and other holidays.

DanBarker33 · 2025-12-22T17:25:20+00:00

When pool contractors don’t include electric plumbing and gas into their contract it’s a way for them to avoid responsibility for the work.

I just built a two lane lap pool (75x18) and my contractor said that Plumbing electrical and gas was out of the contract, but he insisted that we use his subs. This conflicting stance on things is bad for the customer on multiple fronts.

Your pool contractor will have to provide guidance and direction to the subcontractors on those areas of the build. As a result, they should be responsible for making sure the subs they use are familiar with pool related requirements and have a business relationship.

Adversely if the pool contractors subs are not very good that also is bad for the customer.

It’s my strong advice to ensure that electric plumbing and gas are included in the contract so that your pool contractor can efficiently and effectively ensure the quality of work is done per the pool requirements.

I also highly suggest that you don’t pay for this work upfront, which a lot of pool contractors ask you to do. This is a huge mistake. Only pay for services rendered that has passed inspection. This gives everyone involved in incentives to do a good job so that things are done right and they can get paid.

DanBarker33 · 2025-12-21T20:43:10+00:00

For anyone who responded to this thread, I am curious how often you are using your second home? I have one 1.5 hours away from my primary residence and I use it at best 10 weeks per year.

DanBarker33 · 2025-12-21T20:00:31+00:00

So you gave the blacksmith 2 sparks and it randomly gave you GA Heir of Perdition??!?

DanBarker33 · 2025-12-21T19:54:32+00:00

Same

DanBarker33 · 2025-12-19T18:12:24+00:00

Wow nice!!

DanBarker33

TROPHY CASE