The Wall

Once we had the gravel base in, we consulted with our masonry guru, John Chapin and got some essential pointers on how to build the perimeter wall. That wisdom included getting the first layer completely level, side-to-side and front-to-back, and to include openings to allow runoff to get through the wall. John provided re-rods to use for tying leveling benchmarks for the final wall height. We used these benchmarks to verify the height and level of the wall as we built it up.

But first we had to removed the temporary wall that was erected to contain the gravel base. Katie and Michael muscle the blocks aside.








































Then begins the tedious, critical task of laying the first row of wall blocks, seating and leveling each block along the whole 50 foot length.



































After a day of setting and leveling wall blocks we start adding layer after layer,


















Jenny and Dennis do the lion's share of work cutting the blocks along the curved edge to fit tightly and securely.


























































After a very busy, labor filled Labor Day weekend, the wall stands tall and level, ready for two pillars and a finishing cap to complete the job.

The Base Is Finished

After removal of the old patio material, Dr. Brokopp came by and added leveling stakes to define where the new surface would be, including a pitch to allow for proper drainage. This provided the guideposts to complete the excavation to the proper depth.


















With a lot of hard work by Jerry Burns, Gunnar Bakken, Garrett and Brody Peterson and Jenny the excavation was completed. This entailed removing the soil under the old patio. Then we discovered a concrete footing that was burried there - it was about a dozen feet long and a foot in diameter. Jerry and Garrett and Gunnar hacked away it it with the sledge hammers until it was broken into manageable sized pieces, and hauled it away.
























We then proceeded to fill in about 12 tons of gravel to provide the base for the paving blocks and the perimeter wall. Again the IT team of Burns, Bakken, and Peterson showed up and moved the gravel and the compacted it into a very solid surface.



























































































NEXT POST - "The Wall"

The Work Proceeds

Jenny continues the site excavation -










Tons of gravel were moved in...










Mr. Burns returns the wheelbarrow for another load, stopping to explain how it's done...








Then refills with the help of Brody Peterson

The Patio Project

On April 26th my colleagues, co-workers, friends and family gathered to wish me well in my retirement. At that time, a very special group also promised to build a patio for me to enjoy with my new found time. Thus the project began, the "patio project".

I want to devote the first entries in my retirement blog to those who are giving their time and ideas, skills and equipment to make a super hardscaped patio a reality.

This is Gizzymoto doing the final pre- demolition inspection:

Marci and Dennis got it all started and also started the removal process...

Who's that wielding the jackhammer?

Yes, that's Chuck "Bust-Em-Up" Brokopp!

And a lot of material removed...













Next post: "I've never seen the IT Team work so hard!"