Pool Progress: August 10

Yesterday was a BIG day! Excavation! We got a call yesterday that the excavation crew would arrive between 7 and 8 am to get started. Apparently, just like Clark, this crew thinks "early" is just before lunch. You'd think they'd want to get going before it really heats up... maybe the heat doesn't bother them anymore.

Before they got started we had one small issue with the pool level. The person who drew up the plans had the excavation guy setting his electronic level on the guest house patio which is a good six inches higher than the brick patio where our pool entrance gate is going to be. We wanted the pool deck even with our current brick patio NOT with the guest house patio since we won't even have a gate over there. Thankfully, the guy asked me and made a few phone calls before starting to dig!

Once the leveling point was set he got to work putting up the pool form. It was slow going. The boys kept looking out and asking if they were digging yet. He went around the pool perimeter pounding in rebar at just the right height. Then he attached corrugated flat plastic strips to the rebar. Finally, they started digging.

Here goes the first scoop of dirt!!!!

For the first few scoops I was a bit nervous. What if there were some pipes we didn't know about where they were digging? Or the septic lines were over farther than we thought? Thankfully, there was nothing lurking beneath the surface! There was also a chance of them hitting caliche (a really hard layer of rock/dirt for those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about). If they hit that we could have had to pay extra for the excavation. Another bullet dodged... no caliche!

I don't know how many loads of dirt they carted off. Lots. Slowly the pool took shape. Even the steps and benches were carved out. Despite their late start and an hour break about 4:30pm they finished up just after 6pm or so.

After they left we all went out to take a look. We got a kick out of the fact they left a smiley face spray painted with their initials on the wall of the deep end. Then Jerry (and Annabeth) became the first Showns to set foot IN the new pool!

 Guess it doesn't look so small now!

 Below you can see the (oversized) baja step and the bench that will curve around the table.

 On the far end is the bench that will be underneath the waterfall! :)

 If you come stay with us, this beauty of a pool will be just outside your door!

Nothing was scheduled today, but our job superintendent stopped by to check things out and introduce himself. He seemed very nice and gave me a little timeline. Next week will be VERY exciting. Plumbing, steel, electrical, and our first inspection are all planned. Tomorrow we go to the showroom to pick out tile and the colors of various things we want (floor, fence, etc). Right now it's looking like we should be swimming mid-September! We can't wait!