All aboard for Squamish!

Today it was time to start emptying the shop. We have plenty more to build and it is also time to begin getting ready for the upcoming workshops.

I spent the morning finishing off the painting of the lettering on the giant log. After lunch I hooked up our trusty tractor and dragged the protesting log out the door. It screeched as it skidded across the concrete floor.

The logging truck was the next feature to get hooked up and dragged out of the shop. We'll finish the balance of the work on this piece outside.

Then it was time to borrow our good neighbor Gord's forklift to lift the log car up onto the flatdeck trailer. It went on without incident.

All aboard for Squamish!

-grampa dan

Spring has arrived.

It's been a mild winter locally. I never had to use the tractor even once to clear the driveway. The spring flowers have been up for some time and the lawn has been mowed three times already.

The last days have been truly warm and sunny and once more it is a joy to be outside. As I walked from the shop to the house today I saw some dandilions for the first time this year. They had poked out of the ground between the railroad tracks where Phoebe had blown the seeds in years past.

In that year dandilions were transformed from the mortal enemy of me (and my beautiful lawn) to a thing of beauty. Phoebe has taught me a lot through the years.

As I saw the dandilions today I simply had to take the time to enjoy the splash of brilliant color. If you look close at the right flower in the middle clump of three you will also see a bee sitting on top. Bugs are another of Phoebe's favorite things.

Welcome to spring.

-grampa dan

Delivery one.

Once everything was organized at home and in the shop, it was time to hit the road with the train. The drive to Squamish took about two and a half hours. Along the way everyone who passed slowed a little and took a second look -normal when we make a delivery. I saw lots of raised thumbs and big smiles. I made two stops and each time cameras were instantly out and snapping.

It wasn't long until I arrived in Squamish... and made a quick stop at the visitor center for a photo.

Then it was off to Whistle Punk Adventure Golf. The owners were eagerly waiting for the train and I to arrive. Someone had seen the train when I was still thirty miles away and let them know of my progress. After a little planning Jeff jumped into the excavator and hooked up the cable to the machine. I climbed up on the train hooked up the other end. In seconds the little steam engine was airborn and slung over to the lawn temporarily until the trestle is built.

We made a bunch of marks on the ground with a spray bomb, figuring out where the trestle footings will be poured and the pond and waterfalls will be placed. The golf is going to be very cool. The prep work on the site is largely done and now it will begin to become very real in a hurry! Stay tuned...

-grampa dan