The stones you see are one large dumptruck load of stone. We'll need 5 truckloads before they can "cover" the stone base with the black tarp, and then fill in the rest of the way with about 3/4 of the dirt they removed from the hole. The best news - once covered and planted with grass, we'll likely never know it is there.
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Actually, there were four or five deer that ran off when we caught them moseying toward the cherry laural that we planted just last summer. A few minutes later, a fox ran by, but he escaped the camera (more later). After a cancelled paddle match, Pop Pop decided to have a walk in the snow, to see tracks, etc.
First, here are views of the barn - from below the pond, and from the road. We are making progress.
On the snowy walk were views of the bird feeders, two hooded mergansers in the pond, and tracks of the fox as he (or she) jumped the fence to our neighbor's yard.
The following pictures are from the stream and trails through the woods. I liked the brown beech leaves still on the trees from last fall.
And finally, from our hill, you can see down to a neighbor's driveway across the street.
In the first floor (below) you can see the size of the beams supporting the barn. The second view is from the ladder going to the top floor.
Once above, here are views looking out to the road, and then out to the pond. Looks like a good layout.
And finally, here are three views of the top floor room from two of the corners.
Yeah! It really is moving forward.
Especially with the 3rd pic, it is obvious the "upper room" will be spacious (big wheels, anyone).
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This is especially impressive in that the Philly area was below zero some of the time, and I think, rarely rose above freezing during February. Since I've returned, lots of progress on the barn has been made - but just for interest, here is what I left, and what I returned home to see (my last four pics in my first download):
And now, today, we have really progressed!
The forms are loaded on the truck with the large crane doing the heavy lifting.
The crane is staying in the yard for the meantime - the mud is too slippery for traction. They'll need either a push from a loader, or frozen ground to harden the surface. Next up - timber frame - yeah!
After the pour, the walls will be blanketed to allow the concrete to withstand the freezing night temperatures. Next up - a visit from the timber frame builder. He'll measure the foundations here, and cut the timbers out in Lancaster County, then assemble the pre-cut pieces here.
Hopefully, we'll get a thaw period after this winter blast, so that cement can flow.
First, the crane has to pick up a load of panels off the truck:
Then, look at how the pallet sways in circles as the operator moves it to the footing area:
Getting the panels into position is important:
And finally, the panels are carried to the footing ditch:
Now we need a few days above freezing to build the forms and pour concrete. Next week - likely not - but hopefully, soon.