2012 Upper Section Re-Do Continued

August brought us more hot weather. Over the space of a couple weeks, we were able to do the upper level on the first tower (between the swings). The posts were done, and we were getting ready to do the trim when an issue was discovered by Mr. Man- what was to stop the kids from jumping off the tower from the bridge (because of the few feet height difference). Hmmm, to the drawing board for a couple of days until a solution was determined. A bit of work had to be re-done (meaning a couple posts had to be taken apart and made taller in order to stop the daredevils I am raising (plus their friends) from being able to hurt themselves in this way. Because, let's face it, they can find quite a few other ways to get into trouble. Anyway, a few days later, the trim was done, facia completed, and planking put in place. Plus, a slide was put in, railings completed, and decorative trim added. Until the rope ladder was put in, Mr. Man taught the kids how to climb the articulating ladder. It's pretty much been in permenant residence against the tower now, and the kids think nothing of climbing up it.The rope ladder attaching to the tower was worked out and completed, and a temporary solution to attach to the ground was completed, but the kids started undoing the tape holding the squares together on the ladder. Until it can be secured (which means me taking the time to stitch all the parts together, by hand), it is down.

    

    

With one tower complete, and us out of wood to make more posts for the next one, we decided to use the wood we had to complete some other outstanding tasks we needed to do (AKA- put the tops on the walls). Labor Day weekend was spent beginning this task. We also started adding the slats to the walls. It has really changed the look!
    

Part of this task also meant figuring out how we were going to build the railings onto the lower sides of the walls. And that took some time to figure out, get supplies, and then talk through again. Which lead to a discussion, a brainstorming sesson, and then suddenly, a new wall to give me a garden planting area up top). So that weekend was spent building another wall (only 12 feet long this time), putting the skins on the backs of the first walls we built in March, and putting in the walls the supports to hold the posts for the railings.

    

Oh yeah, I also had some more wood chips delivered in the middle of all of this (just 15 cubic yards), and Mr. Man and the littles were all sick off and on for this month. Plus Mr. Man was working on the facia and trim for the lower sections of the other two towers so I could spread the wood chips (early October).
This past weekend was spent putting the tops on more of the wall (only 3 sections left but we ran out of wood), putting up slats on the areas completed, and putting the platform planking on the second tower. We also had to make some unexpected adjustments to the fence as it was leaning badly and affecting the long wall section. We'll see how it looks this weekend.

    

More work to be done here.