Black Flies and 50 Cubic Feet of Concrete

After a long hard day on the hill, we've got one fine 10 ft square pad finished! The day started with Steve Pielock and I making a run to Friendly Fred's for a little diesel fuel for the tractor. We got a bit of sticker shock, $4.75 per gallon! Just a couple of years ago that would have been the price for 4 gallons.

A quick fix of a tractor tire leak, and we were in business. First step: Move some of the load of Bank Run gravel blocking the road past the barn, then back fill some low spots in the road so cars can make it to the top of the hill. Thirty minutes later, Dan Carnevale, Ray Burk, Barry Hervieux, and John Davis were at the summit unloading supplies and prepping the pad across from the Gaertner when Joe Zuraw showed up with the cement mixer in tow. Just as we got the forms and the rebar in place for pad one, Peter Scherff showed up with the generator. Now that's good timing! I made a quick trip up to the rain barrel at the pavilion for water, and with help from Steve on the tractor, we had all of are supplies marshaled.

A chilly and overcast morning turned comfortably warm (60's) and sunny. If it weren't for the massive swarms of black flies, it would have been a great day to work on the hill. Steve wondered by we were all waving to him every time he brought up another tractor load of gravel... we swatted constantly all day.

With a couple a pulls on the starter rope, we were ready to pour cement. We got in a steady routine: Me, John and Ray loading gravel, Barry wrestling with the mixer, Dan and Peter on rakes and shovels spreading cement, with Joe supervising the mix and doing whatever else needed to be done. Ten shovelfuls of gravel, two of cement, half a bucket of water... mix for a couple minutes, dump the load, spread... repeat... for about 4 hours.

Finally, we had what looked like a pad. We cleaned up and put things away. Bags of cement that early in the day were no problem for me to pick up now were a struggle for Dan and I to lift together. Hands ached and cramped up. Backs were sore. Time for Advil and cold drinks. Joe, Dan and Barry stuck around and did some finish work after the pad set up for a while. Dan and Barry were going to stay for observing. I hope they did, it seemed like a pretty clear night.

I had hoped we would be able to get 2 pads poured, but I woefully underestimated the effort. Our June effort will now be focused on pouring the pad up by the telescope storage shed. Maybe two pads is all we'll do this year.

Thanks to all the participated in this effort. This was hard work and the black flies made things miserable at times. No one complained, everyone pulled together, and we got the work done. I think the pad will be a great addition for our star parties. The pad is plenty big to set up a very large dob and still have room for an observing ladder.

We also worked in the annual meeting, and had a nice surprise visit from a big group of tourists from Miami, Florida. More on both in my next posting, hopefully in a few days. Look for news on Arunah Hill Days, upcoming events, and maybe even an exciting new product to add to the Arunah Hill line of clothing and accessories.