Going for a wild ride

Monday morning a new wonderful adventure begins. It is the first day of two hundred days of build for a brand new theme park called Cultus Lake Adventure Park. I've been busy for the last two months working out the myriad of details with the owners. My task was to do all of the concept art. At the same time the engineers and architect was starting the working drawings which have been submitted for permit. A host of others will work alongside our small team. Engineers, designers, laborers, welders, equipment operators, carpenters, roofers, concrete finishers, painters, landscapers and many other disciplines will all do their thing to realize a singular spectacular vision.

It all begins officially on Monday morning but we've been busy in the last couple of weeks as we near the starting line. We've been accepting deliveries of tons of materials and emptying the shop of all other projects.

After the crew left on Friday I couldn't resist beginning work on the first feature to get a little head start on my crew. It will be a photo oppportunity for the western side of the park.

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I began by welding up the inner steel framework, over which we will sculpt a cartoon horse and wagon.

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This is going to be both challenging and a whole lot of fun. Stay tuned as I share this adventure over the next ten months!

-grampa dan

Another of my heroes

We hear so much about young people these days who have few skills, are not willing to learn and don't know how to work. These kids must be out there I guess but these aren't the young people who've been working for us.

TJ is a relatively new hire. Just out of high school, he's not a big guy, and is quiet and respectful. When I hired him I was wondering how he would manage for the things we do are pretty tough at times.

Yesterday, we took delivery of a large load of steel. TJ had the job of cutting each piece to length and packing it into the shop to place on the rack. There were hundreds of cuts and thousands of pounds of steel. To make it a little harder the weather in the last two days has been very warm as well. It was more than enough to wear out anyone without a lot of heart.

It turns out that TJ is a good man with a lot of heart. He's not afraid to get a little dirty while he works.

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TJ is but one awesome member of our crew.

As we ramp up into our next big project (starting Monday) I am confident I have a great crew to help me. Imagine the possibilities!

-grampa dan