For a long time after we moved into the house we have now lived in for, I think, about 24 years, we called it the "new house".
I think that's because when we were building it, we'd be running back and forth between the "new house" and the "old house".
I guess now it should be the "old house" and the "really old house.
Anyway, when we moved in here I built a fort / playhouse / fort thing for the kids. I didn't really build it to last forever, not forecasting grandchildren at that age. Well it still gets lots of use. In a previous blog you can see CJ shooting his paintball gun from it (Shawna too).
As I said, I didn't really build it to last forever. I used old temporary power poles I had (untreated 6 x 6's , for you men). I dug holes and poured concrete around the poles. Not something you would normally do, thinking I'd get 15 years or so out of it, then tear it down.
The other day I was out in the yard and happened to glance in as I sometimes do (you never know what CJ might have going on in there. I won't go into the bathroom he and James made in there from an old automatic dog watering dish. It's customary to check for things like that, or unexploded ordinance, stuff like that).
Anyway, as I walked by something didn't look right somehow. The building seemed to be leaning or something.
The next step was to saw the leg of. This is appropriate because a lot of what goes on in here is pirate play, so it's only fitting that the fort end up with a peg leg.
I looked at it closely, as it was obviously leaning, so I poked a small pipe under the leg, and where it should have been solid, it went right through like there was nothing there.
The next pictures show what I found when I jacked the building up. There was nothing there!
The next step was to saw the leg off. This was especially appropriate because a lot of the play here involves pirates, so it was only fitting that the fort end up with a "peg leg".
The picture at the top is the new leg we made at work by welding a bracket onto a length of 2 1/2" galvanized pipe.
Next I had to dig and vacuum out all the dirt and old wood and junk to create a place for the new leg. Kinda like a root canal for a building.
You can see the fort is resting on large blocks of wood. It made me a little nervous working under it. Funny thing is (hahaha) we had an earthquake later in the afternoon. Sure wouldn't have wanted to be under it then!
I didn't want to end up with my own peg leg!
I then bolted the new leg into place. No small task as it was heavy.
Then poured the concrete around it.
The next step was to saw the leg of. This is appropriate because a lot of what goes on in here is pirate play, so it's only fitting that the fort end up with a peg leg.
I looked at it closely, as it was obviously leaning, so I poked a small pipe under the leg, and where it should have been solid, it went right through like there was nothing there.
The next pictures show what I found when I jacked the building up. There was nothing there!
The next step was to saw the leg off. This was especially appropriate because a lot of the play here involves pirates, so it was only fitting that the fort end up with a "peg leg".
The picture at the top is the new leg we made at work by welding a bracket onto a length of 2 1/2" galvanized pipe.
Next I had to dig and vacuum out all the dirt and old wood and junk to create a place for the new leg. Kinda like a root canal for a building.
You can see the fort is resting on large blocks of wood. It made me a little nervous working under it. Funny thing is (hahaha) we had an earthquake later in the afternoon. Sure wouldn't have wanted to be under it then!
I didn't want to end up with my own peg leg!
I then bolted the new leg into place. No small task as it was heavy.
Then poured the concrete around it.
All thats left is to cover the concrete and paint the new leg green.
Think I should check the other 3 legs? Na, I just watch for "the lean"
I hope I get some new grandkids to make this all worth while!
Good Job Jim! Glad you fixed it before the earthquake....it may have fell down and ruined all the fun! I hope you get some more grandkids too. I don't think your backyard would be the same without the fort....although I don't remember ever playing in it! So sad! I may have to play in it the next time I am there....who knows when that is so I hope it stays standing for a few more years. Love Debi
ReplyDeleteNow youu know that God watches out for you... it would have been th perfect opportunity to "do you in"... but he delayed the earthquake until you were out from under the "fort". Also, you are a guy, I don't know why you won't use the "for's" accomodating bathroom. It is not like you have to sit on it or anything... I mean when you are camping or whatever- out on a job far from a "standard" toilet- I know you have used the occassional tree or found a secluded corner... that is just what guys do. I take Carlos on a hike over to our duck pond and he waits for his particular "pee" spot and uses it every time we take the hike. It is like he has marked his territory and has to refresh the marking. It is hilarious. In the winter when we go there all the leaves are off the foilage and I have to remind him to watch for cars... in the spring when the leaves come out, no one could ever see. I am with Debi, that fort has got to survive through the millenium... so watch for the "lean" as you called it and get it earthquake ready and prepared for kid play during the millenium. I mean during the millenium they won't even fight while they are out there. It will be a perfect time for making sure every kid has his fort or play house or pirate abode. Good job on the fix. You guys are amazing. Love, Gail
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