Fair weather progress

Yesterday the hording around the bumper boat island came down. It had helped to shield our brave crew during the bitter cold while they welded up the armature for the dirtbanks and timbers that will appear to hold up the Wave Swinger ride above. With the hording gone Chris' crew will install the railing hydraulics and then we can finish off the welding of the outside timber trim. With only the pencil rod and some mesh in place it is difficult to see quite yet but it is going to be so cool. The timbers, when we are done, will look like they are barely holding up the ride above, some cracked or leaning badly.

The mountain that will hide the building will rise above it all with a tumbling waterfall to the left. The dirt banks that line the ramp up to the building (on the right side) are now meshed and ready for the sculpted concrete work. 

On the other side of the main building the Western themed area is quickly taking shape. The saloon is framed and almost ready for us to begin the finished theme work. The footings for the walls that outline the creek and walkways are being formed with the concrete to be poured early next week. The foundations are in the for the water wheel building and the western themed outbuilding that will house the pump for the creek. The footing is also poured for the block wall that will form the bottom of the fence on this side of the park.

 It won't be long until we begin hauling in the prefabricated pieces for this side of the park and then add the theme work to the rest. Stay tuned for the fun...

-grampa dan

Passing on the vision

Each day Chris, the owner of the project and I walk the site, spray bomb and tape measure in hand. We discuss each area and spray lines on the ground. Then we take a step back and look at it from each direction, visualizing what guests will see and how they will interact with our creation. Often we will go back, kick dirt over our lines and then spray new ones because we have an even better idea. The process is repeated until we agree on the vision. Chris then meets with his crew to pass on the ideas and interpret what all the spray painted lines on the ground mean, where to dig or place the forms for the concrete to be poured. Today we were working on the layout for the shallow pool that will have a matrix of stepping stones on which our young guests can venture across the expanse of water. The bottom of the pool (with only an inch or two or water) will be coated with a thick layer of rubber to keep things safe.

Chris' crew will then prepare the ground, lay in the rebar and pour the concrete to shape the pool. I will then meet with my crew to once again pass on the vision and we will then weld up the steel, attach the lath, trowel on the cement, and carve the details. The end result will hopefully look as good or even better than what Chris and I dreamed up many weeks previous. It is a process that works exceptionally well. 

-grampa dan

First bridge tower installed

It is always an exciting day when a major piece gets installed. Today was just such a day. The first bridge tower was loaded onto our trailer and hauled up to the lake. This afternoon we hooked it up and carefully placed it into position. Two I-beams were placed to form the structural elements for the first bridge/ramp up to the landing for the rope bridge. Q-deck will be placed in between the I-beams to hold up the concrete deck that will form the deck. The boys and I were busy all day welding up the armatures for the rock walls that will line this area.

Tomorrow we'll begin the welding of the pencil rod armatures for rock walls on the ramps leading down into the Wilderness Adventure area. This area of the park is taking shape quickly. Stay tuned...

-grampa dan