Progress

Who would have thought that the fate of this little construction project would hinge on three truck loads of concrete?  Well, maybe an experienced person in the building trade would have had a clue, but this IT hack kind of missed the key indicators.  A single decision more than a month ago concerning said concrete has cost us the prize of opening on time.   Rain, more rain, and a fishing trip to Lake Erie where 8 guys got sicker than dogs on a small skiff completely unsuited for the rough water also contributed to the delays (don't ask about the fishing trip...it's complicated).

Anyhow, the concrete trucks finally arrived and building has resumed.  Where has this summer gone?

Truck # 1 on a misty morning

The bath house and pavilion taking shape

View from the field.  This was an old farm dump at one time.  I can't find the pictures of the dump, but the transformation has been astounding.

In the meantime, We've been busy with all the little details of setting up the site.

Remember the picture of this being hauled out of the woods with the tractor?  It's going to make a great sign post.

Now that the "tree" is set, it's time to start working on the sign.

I've also been working with a friend in the cabinet business to collect some sinks for the bath house.  These will serve as the dishwashing sinks.  He's sending me down to Moorefield, WV to pick up some marble inset sinks and counter tops.   "Turn right just past the chicken processing plant."  Great!   But at only $80 for 2 six foot countertops, I'll do the drive and smell the chickens.

A new sign in box for the trail head.  It's always nice to see where guests are from.

The information board turned out really well.

This massive mud hole has been the bane of my existence for the past two weeks.  It started out as a small, clear water little puddle on the main trail from the glamping site.  I had the bright idea to get my tractor in there and "clean it up".  Boys with toys...it's pretty much a total mess now.  I think I'll have to put planks across it.

Sage has been having fun.  Here at Schoolhouse Earth's petting zoo, staring off with a very ornery goat.

But she is completely fed-up with the "job site" and frequently just climbs into the truck while I'm working.  Some nights, I really feel like joining her.

Good wine, eh?

The construction project was at a point where there really wasn't anything that I could do last weekend, so we decided to hop in the car and get away for a much needed break.   We were looking for a good blend of relaxation, wine, sight seeing, wine, and city, so we built the itinerary around a friend's cabin up in Western Ontario.  Here are some pics from this short summer break. 

Niagara Falls, from the American side.  I'm a sucker for waterfalls.

Niagara Falls, from Canada.  That's a lot of water!

Niagara on the Lake.   A bit too cutesy for me, but still a great home base for exploring wine country.

Tres Chique!  Shopping in Niagara on the Lake.

But the real draw was the wine.  We took a bike tour of some wineries.  There are hundreds in the region and the wine was fantastic!  A great reason for a return trip.

Then it was "into the wild" of Western Ontario.  Beautiful countryside.

Heather and Dan's "cabin" in the woods.

On the return trip, we stopped in Toronto.  I was very impressed with this city!  It was incredibly vibrant with loads of downtown living and community.  One evening wasn't nearly enough. 

 Now, back to work!