Second to last day.

Amazingly, we will achieve substancial completion of our current project one whole day before the gates open. With rain forecast for Friday, the day before opening, our crew pulled out all the stops to do most of the remaining painting today. Tomorrow a partial crew will finish the remaining posts and rocks. Final touchups will be done as well. We are weeks ahead of where we figured we would be when we started the project. A hard working team and good weather allowed us to get ahead of schedule.

I spent my last full day in Cultus Lake Adventure Park with my head down, painting the western creek bed and pond rocks with Peter. 

The sculpted concrete work that we had labored on for so long suddenly came alive. Tomorrow water will flow and the wheel will turn under it's power. The setting sun caused lens flare but I still mamaged to grab this shot of the culvert It turned out just as I imagined, a highlight for those who take the time to look.

It was high fives and big smiles as we walked around at the end of a long workday, taking note of the relatively short list of projects not yet finished.

-grampa dan

Closing in on opening day

With everyone on our crew really excited about the park opening (in only three working days) we are pushing hard to realize our projects. The weatherman forecast rain today but the sky was only gray this morning. We decided to chance the rain and just go for it. Our gamble paid off as only a few drops fell mid morning. Plastic sheets were at the ready but not necessary.

It was a day to catch up on some small details that have been bugging me. I painted a black outline around the letters on the Bucky's sign making it read a whole lot better from a distance.

The plasma cut carousel horse gate handles were installed today. They will be allowed to aquire a rust patina like the gates and fences.

With the pool pumps finally operational we tested the waterwheel today. My backyard engineeering proved to be just fine as the wheel turned at just the right speed with the water pushing it underneath. I'll post a video soon. There was no time for a movie today as the wheel only ran a few minutes before the pool and waterway were drained again so we can paint it tomorrow.

The rope bridges are nearing completion and looking fabulous. Kids are going to love them! The views from the treehouse are great!

Tomorrow the weatherman is promising warm temperatures and sunshine. We'll be making the best of it to be sure!

-grampa dan

Cool vignettes - almost

A 'vignette' is defined as a small, yet remarkable illustration or scene. The park is full of them at every turn. With each passing day things are a little more complete. Extra construction materials and tools are slowly being put away and bits and pieces of packing materials left strewn about are gradually cleaned up. Final concrete decks and sidewalks are at last complete as of today. While many of the various elements are finished there are often unfinished bits and pieces in the background. Photographs of the final features in their finished form are not yet possible. 

The Carousel and Balloon Adventure areas look pretty good, save for the unpainted fence posts and the empty planter. The decks still need a good power wash too.

The Pedal Power area also looks pretty cool with the freshly poured concrete sidewalks but the sprinkler system pipes need hooking up and the planters need filling. Closer inspection reveals that the grate is still taped over and the doors still need painting. In the dark background under the canopy there are many signs to go up as well.

The gold panning area looks pretty good until you look really close, Empty planters and missing ropework let on there is more to be done. The stark white lamp shades still need attention as well.

A different angle of the same area reveals painters still hard at work close by. Planters need filling and the whole area needs a good presure wash.

The Wave Swinger sign and operator's booth look fabulous until we look really close. The grout lines between the rocks still need painting. These planters too need soil and some foliage. Construction materials in the background need putting away and a general pressure wash would make the decks and stairs sparkle.

With four working days yet to go all of these little things and a thousand more will be done. Only then wll the gates swing open. Then at last I will be able to get pictures of the completed work with no distractions in the background. I can hardly wait.

-grampa dan