Day 1 of the Pergola project was pretty darn long but Phase I and II were completed on schedule.
I bought the concrete tubes and brackets, cleared off the patio and stalked the wood people all day.
GB came over to help me measure where the holes should be dug and the picture below shows approximately where the corner 4x4's will go.
Have you ever seen one of these (below)? It's a 2 man post hole digger. When GB and I went to check out lumber a couple of weeks ago we saw this thing and vowed not to deal with it - ever. It looked like we could handle the 1 man post hole digger but when I went to pick it up today I learned that there is no 10 inch auger for the 1 man post hole digger so my only option was to rent the big scary ass 2 man digger. The tool rental guys warned me about this thing. "Do you think 2 girls can handle this thing?" I asked. "IT HAD BETTER BE TO REALLY STRONG GIRLS!" the tool guy said.
So, in between palpitations I called Thomas Landscaping to see if he might know 2 experienced hole diggers who wanted to make a few extra bucks. They came over about 8:30 and got to work. It took them a little over an hour to dig 4 holes.
The lumber finally arrived at about 7:30 (it was supposed to be here at noon) and unfortunately 5 of the upper boards were damaged. I'm hoping I can convince them to deliver the replacement boards in the morning so that we don't have an unnecessary delay. Also, I did not order enough cement so I'll be heading back to the store bright and early.
This really doesn't look like much wood, does it?
This really doesn't look like much wood, does it? I don't know about you but I really love the smell of cedar. 
I took these last 2 pictures above this morning when the sun came up.
I love the smell of cedar wood, too.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a beautiful day to build a pergola. Good luck and have a great day!
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
Verrrrrry impressive! Even with a few glitches, you've made tons of progress. It's going to look great. Every time I see your patio stone I'm so jealous! And yes your landscaping fellow is a gem. I don't know of any other business that email you with tips! How unusual in this day and age...
ReplyDeleteI am sooooo jealous. I can't wait to see the finished product! Good idea using professionals for the hole-digging, that thing could take off a foot.
ReplyDeletecarol - it sure was a perfect pergola building day. i wish you were closer I'd give you some of the cedar blocks that were left from cutting the design in the beams. I have a big flower pot full of them.
ReplyDeletealyssa - thanks for the encouraging words and yes, i'm just as shocked as you are about the landscaping guy. He's due lots of good karma i think.
heather - we didnt completely finish today but I'll have some close to complete pictures up tomorrow.
Its looking good. I have used the two-man (person) post hole diggers. There is an art to it. My experience was digging in clay. Once that sucker gets stuck, it's a bear to dig it out of the hole!
ReplyDeleteAround here, any project takes 3 times longer than we think it will. I hope your project goes better than that.
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