At the crack of dawn we headed out to Sanctuary Ridge to begin the daunting task of building our first barn. The crew of two consisted of me and Jamey. I’m not sure what we were thinking! Our confidence exceeded our skill, at least it exceeded mine.
We began by moving the concrete and concrete mixer closer to the barn site. Today we begin the pavilion barn. It is 20×36 feet and a little over 14 feet high at the bottom of the truss. We set our batter boards a week ago but measured everything again to make sure it was all square before we began digging for our posts.
The measuring and squaring everything up took a couple of hours. We just kept measuring and moving things until we had it all square. Jamey ran the tractor and auger while I made sure the auger was level and plumb as he drilled each post hole.
The auger makes quick work of digging the post holes! Next we used a sling to maneuver the posts into place. Jamey drove the tractor and I helped position the posts as he dropped them. Then we moved on to making sure the posts were level and square.
It was an exhausting weekend full of work. Sleep is never better after you’ve sweated all day and worked til you can work no more! No rest for this weary crew though- we still have the top band to put on and the equipment barn to build!
Jamey bought this “basket” to go on the forks of the tractor. He intended to use it as a lift so he could safely reach the top of the posts to install the band board. I think it will make a great berry picking basket. Just imagine it! Jamey can lower me right over the middle of the blackberries and when I have picked them all we can move to the next patch! It will be perfect! We haven’t tried it yet, but I have picked a few berries the old fashioned way this week!
I consider myself a beginner on the tractor- especially with the lifting mechanisms. I am not a smooth operator at all! Thankfully Jamey had on a safety harness and the basket was chained to the forks. This is not a job for the faint of heart- his life was literally in my hands. Noah was much better at operating the lifting mechanisms so he operated that and I drove the tractor. It was a very stressful day. Scary but successful. Maybe picking berries in the basket is not such a great idea after all!
So every evening we head out after our paying jobs to work at the farm until dark.
The equipment barn went much smoother than the pavilion. I credit it to having the experience of doing the pavilion first. Perks of working in the evening are the shade provided in the field and we can only work 5-6 hours before it is too dark.
I’m always so impressed with Jamey’s ability to envision, plan, draw, and build whatever crazy idea I come up with!
The trusses were delivered and we set to work painting them Alabaster White- this will be our theme color for all of our buildings on the farm. We will use a dark metal roof for all the buildings as well. I love the warmth of Alabaster White!
I’ll leave you with this video update:
I’ve been too busy to write much, so I have lots of updating to do! This weekend is our final stretch of long hours- we have equipment rented and help is on the way too!
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Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
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Proverbs 30:5 (NIV)
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
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Psalms 5:11 (NIV)
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
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