I'm pretty happy with my current shop, but while traveling this past summer I stopped by someplace that I think would make the best shop ever. Ever.
Here it is:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF0PMwVFYB2BZudb3dHm0RDD7OiFDthLpxMRO8kcbNzCqoTVb8xDfUbXj6sYUhiAE6LZYTso9aGp5Z8rNMEVOe5ccoCiqoxC5irJ-vvP9dTFiklT80bcrpgHU7lHR5L2t9MZvhQe9cU8/s400/Summer+Trip+11+-+New+Jersey+241A+Large+e-mail+view.jpg)
It's Lucy, the Margate N.J. elephant. Now before you think I am totally nuts (too late?) let me explain. First, she's made of wood - a lot of wood, almost one million pieces! She's framed like a ship - well, like a ship that stands on four legs and a trunk - but still. Second, she's historic. Build in 1882, she's the premier example of zoomorphic architecture. Third, she's roomy!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxRGp6HYjKnkXtyRNv6tpHdkSKivJX28l2FDXwA8Ds2y8bAtCGiEquNNYl0Xtcd8pTerWtbphEIaHojna9UkdlfUejC5IkA0C6lRNuGBDTsxmn5JvSqYa8pJpxtmZMCY6DpbwMcARSbU/s400/Summer+Trip+11+-+New+Jersey+211A+Large+e-mail+view.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aN8nIV5X2-dSgFxEZOXf34bDWZtdX965cRpMgta6lpqBMOgKcW1mhBklYdouzkEBgmQweVPXLSpV5DRkm63vTCm6fPFiAwbEsPMtlfiNjUQjzGdTn6EYSe9FQQpgXe-ld9tUWOKUnpc/s400/Summer+Trip+11+-+New+Jersey+220A+Large+e-mail+view.jpg)
She's also full of unique character - check out this door:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wRPUxp-7eFzbukOMPk4MVoWcNwu5JTd91lqoc9lzLLZbgL006R4MFq7pZjuWceu1Gy6o0YzoWsIYhFrGkacUzXaeVOBRnIBUWlXmjaMwNJ02gi_gDZNIEjIh979hvwK0a2z-nOVGYaw/s400/Summer+Trip+11+-+New+Jersey+213A+Large+e-mail+view.jpg)
It would be like having your shop inside a huge piece of art. (Speaking of which, isn't there something Edward Hopperish about this next photo?)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVr0QvwfvJXxSeu43pJAKgTxzZb9wofwe6zg5OE5Tlelzw3Mlk4VGQSgv1tiGp6M0VoC1DHGvsp-pazo9lQps7iMo4N2s-yh9fxQD9MM2NsUR01dq9zly6yjbr3eEGXTxYL-5z5ftSyfk/s400/Summer+Trip+11+-+New+Jersey+227A+Large+e-mail+view.jpg)
You could keep an eye on the surf while working at your bench:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzJzitiAwYelP0Ug2aT4xnFQk9xa_nA5d9SIBf4dvjHO3KdvkUOZU2awQv2d65FIGGHIO25CDNz8YZ8jLYIzETVPLcP0_hGF35ibpILBo5rcmQBTAjp5rzi3GDt157cjOMDbN6lumIkM/s400/Summer+Trip+11+-+New+Jersey+223A+Large+e-mail+view.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4O4jmU1_1gQHSDa8Jh_TU8A4Uei3hQoocUHOO4crDxI48mduKH9vdbCUHJhK5ip8XASobcPvz-2ybHrt3NSi2FrD3Jky12tZy_2XHAtBPY3gJPZd0WrXAby1qnlaqpzKvdm3boU3PCZA/s400/Summer+Trip+11+-+New+Jersey+224A+Large+e-mail+view.jpg)
She has an open upper deck, built like a howdah on top. Here's a shot back down the rather steep stairs that get you up there:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqj7W24WQhwR1ckFu82qRyXxLWK_gApEm_xDNhO4goYxgEV2LrsSBdi4uAO85TTv6WZ1og2ACmEc4qv3Rsbc_qM51UrSWGra8wxFL81uBkbbncIVRB0Fd2lwvuLDmQaOR3A9meO5bMNQQ/s400/Summer+Trip+11+-+New+Jersey+231A+Large+e-mail+view.jpg)
Once up in the howdah, you could sip cool drinks while waiting for your glue-ups to dry, or it would be the perfect place to cool off after ruining something...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uOEiT1sxGHd7a7JuxLxvzMOjQKFdx6UXn3soW1Vz7FX3p6nbEY1E2xwb50_XeoQRkCZSchLNG2sLoDQ6jlzDuC9hGqXWe7g2FjrKmEJ_rDzOlzsjp45zAsvGUcLyTD4TjOHMWd0pc6g/s400/Summer+Trip+11+-+New+Jersey+230A+Large+e-mail+view.jpg)
In 1970, this dream shop was almost destroyed to make way for the condos visible here:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8X9h_FqEYanjAF8bANpQ0sBK_JRUpo-Gq_hF6gIFkGDbWDYkMETDF3bKPMknAAwco2KJDEQ-NhO0zVGypH_3GGXRCfRm5JWx4HDn3tVpWypSyVbPUWjK3kxcz2nC8t4In7WDLeMI5FT8/s400/Summer+Trip+11+-+New+Jersey+229A+Large+e-mail+view.jpg)
Who in their right mind would destroy this elephant to build that? Luckily, calmer, more far-sighted individuals succeeded in moving Lucy to her new location.
Here you can see the window that provides light for the steep, twisting stairs within the back leg:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkpoO6cabzMEtw9kKgXoonx7Mb3yuCA6Ogy_OeCilDp9yutIIGKtnLptQWLnv0fdc6sXZ5d0Rb6_z6UZ124qdH34J1flsBxku6GFRKWAu16RPmm-d628NjkqmQTU2bYfKN5HgYc0XZrI/s400/Summer+Trip+11+-+New+Jersey+236A+Large+e-mail+view.jpg)
Of course, those stairs would make getting wood up into the shop difficult, but I've already found a possible solution, although it might still be a pane in the...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKdDzZp2ANOMA09ncrun4CmjCyinQ5qa0Z07UwPcrEuPq0e1OpQxIJQuG-2SGy0QJVPzhddA7oSvIC8eK2eSINrMuPH6XhZwepYIJAMQaO6GRIgWWT62xPu7urSHSaXP_lNwv4gJ07rs/s400/Summer+Trip+11+-+New+Jersey+207A+Large+e-mail+view.jpg)
Sorry...
Anyway, even if you don't agree with me that Lucy would make the ultimate woodworking shop, you might want to check her out the next time you are down the shore.