The Gravel Phase
A couple months of exploding toilets and mud everywhere, gradually was covered with 3" of gravel and after a balmy winter, a surprise element.
One trip and it became quite evident that a dyslexic (me) could not back the van down the narrow drive without altering the paint job on the side panels and a lot of fear and frustration from passenger Dave. I rebuilt the inner island adding over a foot to the drive width.
You can not pour cement during a snow storm (February 18, 2018)
February 19 brought freezing rain covered with more snow. A new Olympic sport - Wheelchair Luge - was attempted as Dave had to get to the hospital.
The day before my sister had told me that when you take a wheelchair down a ramp, you go first and backwards. HA! There was no way I was going to become a speed bump for a loaded runaway wheelchair on ice covered ramps and patio. Dave had a death grip on the seat and I slid behind using the wheelchair handles as I did in my old ski patrol days running a 350 sled.
February 20, the snow continued to build up.
Koyuk
All work was stopped on the drive.
Snow play became the order of the days. (February 21)
February 22 brought about 4 more inches of snow. My nephew played hooky from school with his kids to play in the white joy.
Vineman in his winter attire while the daffodils and tulips at his feet disappeared.
Trask
Cedar
February 23 brought the most beautiful morning of all.
Trask
By March 12, all the snow had melted and the base under the gravel had started to dry and compact.
The snow actually was fortunate for the project. My backing skills did not improve. I took advantage of the drying period to take apart and move the inner island in another foot. I also moved a peaked rock, that even though it had been tried in numerous places in the retaining wall and just didn't fit in, to become a center feature in the inner island.
The gravel was smoothed...
the retaining wall boulders were in place...
the dogs approved...
it was time to pour.
And pour it did. Not cement but days of torrential rain.
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