It is always an exciting day when we fly our creations into their permanent homes. Today was crane day for the major features of Cap’n Elias’ Shipwreck Cove at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch in Nebraska. The task was quick and painless with a wonderful crane operator and an eager Vala’s crew to hook and guide the features into place and bolt the sections together. The installation of the ship, Skull Rock, the shipwreck and all of their related pieces took less than two hours. Then it was back to laying out and shaping the miniature golf course. A couple more hours’ work tomorrow will ready the course for the extensive concrete work, pond and stream installation and the start of the landscaping. Then I am off on my journey home. But I’ll be back the first week of August to supervise the placement of the final features and do the final layout of the greens and sidewalks. Stay tuned…
Henry's first board
It was an exciting day today back at the shop as it was the first sculpting day on the 150 feet of ‘wooden’ fence. This project on our own property is a wonderful training opportunity for the crew. Each day, they do a section, trowelling on our special concrete mix and then sculpting in the detailed woodgrains, every board unique from the rest. Matt is our woodgrain master. Jay is rapidly building his skills with each project. Today, eight-year-old Henry worked alongside Jay, just starting to learn this difficult skill. He was a very eager student, and his proud dad, Peter, sent me a picture of Henry’s first woodgrain this evening. Henry is determined to do a board all by himself tomorrow. The force is strong in this one. Stay tuned…
Infrastructure day
It was infrastructure day at the all-new Shipwreck Cove at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch. When I arrived on site at 7:00 am, the concrete crew were already pouring the three large concrete pads, which will be the landing points for the three largest features. The concrete truck was done within half an hour. While that crew made the concrete smooth and flat, we had a meeting with the various trade bosses to determine the day’s plan of attack. I then measured out the golfing holes and light posts and drove in colour-coded pegs to show where things went. The electrician tested to ensure we wouldn’t discover hidden wires or pipes underground before the post hole auger and trencher were set in motion, making sure everything was going to work as planned. The light posts were then set into the augered holes before quitting time. Tomorrow is going to be every bit as busy as we use a giant crane to place the larger features. Then we’ll meticulously shape the ground to prep it for the concrete putting green surfaces, which Vala’s concrete contractor will pour over the next two weeks. By the end of tomorrow’s work day, the formerly empty field will look a whole lot more like a mini golf course. Stay tuned…
