On Saturday, Nov 9, after two weather-related delays we finally got the concrete pad poured for the Pic Walenta Memorial shelter house.
Bill Gee, John McGuire, and Dennis Murphy arrived at my house for an on-time 5:30 AM departure. Just after 8:00 AM I confirmed our 10:00 AM order for concrete. We met Eric Eberhart on the road south of Warsaw and arrived at the silo as planned at 9:00 and found Jeff Bowman there. We quickly got the rebar off the ground about 2” using rocks as Eric set grade stakes. We removed some of the temporary bracing from the post to allow easier placement of the concrete. Eric gave us assignments and instructions. Then we waited, … and waited. Unfortunately, the first of two trucks didn’t arrive until 12:30.
It only took 20 minutes to get six yards of concrete out of the first truck and roughly graded into position. The second truck arrived just as the first was departing and the second batch went down without a problem. By 1:30 we started “finishing” the concrete and by 2:30 we were cleaning up and on the road by 3:00. John, Dennis, Bill, and I had Mexican for dinner in Clinton before an uneventful trip home.
A very special thanks to Eric for providing the tools and expertise to make this happen! And thanks to Jeff, Bill, Dennis, and John for their on-time arrival and hard work.
Photos attached.
I’ll soon schedule additional work days to finish the roof and electrical. Hope you can help.
The initial leveling of the concrete is done with a 2×2 on a handle. Photo by Bill Gee.
The initial leveling of the concrete is done with a 2×2 on a handle. Photo by Bill Gee.
The last step is to put a broom finish on the concrete surface. Eric Eberhart is running the broom while John McGuire cleans tools. Photo by Bill Gee.
The last step is to put a broom finish on the concrete surface. Eric Eberhart is running the broom while John McGuire cleans tools. Photo by Bill Gee.
Even a half-full concrete truck is very heavy. This photo shows how the trucks compressed the gravel. Photo by Bill Gee.
Even a half-full concrete truck is very heavy. This photo shows how the trucks compressed the gravel. Photo by Bill Gee.
John McGuire works on the edges of the fresh concrete. Photo by Bill Gee.
John McGuire works on the edges of the fresh concrete. Photo by Bill Gee.
Eric Eberhart uses the bull float to put a smooth finish on the ncrete. In the foreground Rick Hines is using a hand float to smooth around the 6×6 posts. Jeff Bowman is doing the same on the other side. Photo by Bill Gee.
Eric Eberhart uses the bull float to put a smooth finish on the ncrete. In the foreground Rick Hines is using a hand float to smooth around the 6×6 posts. Jeff Bowman is doing the same on the other side. Photo by Bill Gee.
It took almost all of eleven yards ot concrete. This is the left-over. We used this to make a fire ring. Photo by Bill Gee.
It took almost all of eleven yards ot concrete. This is the left-over. We used this to make a fire ring. Photo by Bill Gee.
The last task is a group photo. Left to right – Bill Gee, Dennis Murphy, Eric Eberhart, Jeff Bowman, John McGuire. Photo by Rick Hines.
The last task is a group photo. Left to right – Bill Gee, Dennis Murphy, Eric Eberhart, Jeff Bowman, John McGuire. Photo by Rick Hines.
Eric Eberhart smooths concrete around a 6×6 post. Photo by Rick Hines.
Eric Eberhart smooths concrete around a 6×6 post. Photo by Rick Hines.
John McGuire scooping some of the left-over concrete. Photo by Rick Hines.
John McGuire scooping some of the left-over concrete. Photo by Rick Hines.
Eric Eberhart does the final smoothing of the concrete surface. Photo by Rick Hines.
Eric Eberhart does the final smoothing of the concrete surface. Photo by Rick Hines.
Eric Eberhart using the bull float. John McGuire is on the other side working on the edges. Photo by Rick Hines.
Eric Eberhart using the bull float. John McGuire is on the other side working on the edges. Photo by Rick Hines.
Jeff Bowman swings the chute from side to side to distribute concrete as it is pumped out of the truck. Photo by Rick Hines.
Jeff Bowman swings the chute from side to side to distribute concrete as it is pumped out of the truck. Photo by Rick Hines.
Eric Eberhart does the initial leveling of the concrete. Bill Gee is holding a concrete come-along which is used to move the wet concrete as it comes off the chute. Photo by Rick Hines.
Eric Eberhart does the initial leveling of the concrete. Bill Gee is holding a concrete come-along which is used to move the wet concrete as it comes off the chute. Photo by Rick Hines.
The first truckload of concrete is down. The truck is about to pull away to make room for the second truck. Eric Eberhart is doing the initial leveling. Bill Gee is moving some of the fresh concrete into place while Jeff Bowman looks on. Photo by Rick Hines.
The first truckload of concrete is down. The truck is about to pull away to make room for the second truck. Eric Eberhart is doing the initial leveling. Bill Gee is moving some of the fresh concrete into place while Jeff Bowman looks on. Photo by Rick Hines.
Working the freshly poured concrete. Left to right – Jeff Bowman, Bill Gee, Eric Eberhart, Dennis Murphy. Photo by Rick Hines.
Working the freshly poured concrete. Left to right – Jeff Bowman, Bill Gee, Eric Eberhart, Dennis Murphy. Photo by Rick Hines.
Backing the first concrete truck into position. Left to right – Eric Eberhart, Bill Gee, John McGuire, Jeff Bowman. The man in the green cap is the truck driver. Photo by Rick Hines.
Backing the first concrete truck into position. Left to right – Eric Eberhart, Bill Gee, John McGuire, Jeff Bowman. The man in the green cap is the truck driver. Photo by Rick Hines.
A fitting end to the day – Dinner at El Puerto in Clinton. Left to right – Bill Gee, John McGuire, Rick Hines and Dennis Murphy. Photo by Bill Gee.
A fitting end to the day – Dinner at El Puerto in Clinton. Left to right – Bill Gee, John McGuire, Rick Hines and Dennis Murphy. Photo by Bill Gee.