Joshua's Eagle Scout Project - Part 7

August 21st - Almost Done!

The end is near!  That is how we all felt as we showed up for what we hoped would be our last day of work on the Eagle Project.  Yesterday, we had picked up the last two bricks (that we needed to have re-done) so we hoped that in addition to spreading the decorative rock, we could seal the patio today. 

Early this morning, we picked up Cameron (Joshua's friend from Troop 1... who put in more hours than any other scout) at his house in Providence.  Later we were joined by Cole & Ridge.  It's so nice to have kids willing to give up their last Saturday of summer vacation to move rock!

We arrived at the synagogue at about 8:00 am and began the first order of business... a final bit of excavation where the blue tarps had been secured in place.  After that, we laid the weed barrier cloth.  To our amazement, there was exactly enough cloth to cover ALL the areas we needed.  I think someone is looking out for us!

Sandee's was due to deliver our rocks at 8:30 am, but somehow the delivery got delayed until 9:30.  However, we made good use of  the time by getting all the loose ends tied up.  As soon as the decorative rock arrived, we got busy.  We loaded up the wheelbarrow and began to spread it all around.  Once again, we were so appreciative of Sandee's Rock for not charging us the customary $45 for delivery because they wanted to support this Eagle Scout Project.

Shoveling rock in front of the hedges.

It didn't take too long to get all the decorative rock into place and we amazingly had just the perfect amount of rock to get the job done.  On top of that, we were able to lay the two remaining engraved bricks... so everything was just falling into place.

Next step in the process was to begin putting sand between the bricks to pack them in tight.  This was a bit tricky because we had to find a way to pour the sand without getting ANY sand on the engraved bricks.  That is because we're using a special polymer sand between the bricks, that hardens when it gets wet.

So, following the advice of the owners of Castalite (the brick wholesaler) we covered up each engraved brick with duct tape.  As you can imagine, this took a bit of time and was quite tedious with the hot sunny weather.

The engraved bricks have all been duct taped.

Once the tape was in place, we began to pour in the sand and sweep... and sweep... and sweep.  You never saw so much sweeping!  Since it was getting hotter by the minute, we all began to have concerns about the gumminess of  the duct tape on the bricks.  So we decided to remove the tape ASAP.  Looks like we timed that just right... because the tape was just beginning to get sticky.

Pouring and sweeping the sand.

Next, it was time to run the tamper (again) over the bricks.  To protect the engraved bricks, we had to keep running the tamper over wooden boards.  Since we only had three boards, it was like a relay race as each boy kept picking up a board and laying it in Devon's path, as he drove the tamper around.

The dreaded rental tamper is back!  It weighs a ton.

Ready.  Set.  Go.

Gotta keep that tamper going.  Picking boards as fast as they can.

The "tamper dance" continues.

Before we could start spraying the bricks with water (to harden the sand) we decided that we should blow off all the engraved bricks.   Unfortunately, just at the time Devon was trying to start our leaf blower, it decided it was time for the cord to rip in half!  Curses.

So there we were trying to quickly figure out a "work around".  Since it's a ridiculously long drive back to Logan to fix the blower... we decided in the long run it would be cheaper to just rent one.  So off we went back to Howes Rents to get a blower.

Joshua with his leaf blower (aka "Proton Pack").

The piece of equipment we rented was hysterical.  Wearing it, Joshua felt like one of the guys from "Ghostbusters".

"Who ya gonna call?  GHOSTBUSTERS!"

Finally, the bricks were clean enough for us to begin watering them.  We all crossed our fingers that the polymer sand would know just what to do and harden!

The final step in the project is to apply a sealer solution on top of the bricks to bring out the natural color of the bricks and give them a protective coating.  Since we have to do this on bricks that are bone dry... we are planning to do this one night this week.

Almost done!

TO BE CONTINUED... (Eagle Scout Project Part #8) 

Joshua's Eagle Scout Project - Part 6

Final Excavation - August 16th

Now that the bricks are in place, we needed to finish up the area where we the decorative rock is to be installed.  So the next team of workers arrived:  Joshua, Cameron, David, & Cole.

Due to a mis-read email, poor Cole arrived three hours prior to when we began work.  Since his mom dropped him off on her way to Salt Lake City, Cole was left to wander the streets of Ogden until we arrived.  Luckily, the public library was nearby.  So Cole, stashed his shovel behind bushes... and went on a 3 hour walk-about.

When we finally arrived at noon... the first order of business was lunch.  Everyone was already famished.  While we were making sandwiches in the parking lot, we were approached by a homeless guy who was hungry too.  So, we made him a sandwich too!

Our work went pretty quick.  All we needed to do was dig out enough dirt so that the rocks would be below the level of the sidewalk.

Areas for the decorative rock are now are now dug out.

We dug out all the weeds and garbage in the back corner.

TO BE CONTINUED... (Eagle Scout Project Part #7)

Joshua's Eagle Scout Project - Part 5

Installing the Bricks - August 11th

This was our longest workday. First we had to go down to Brigham City and pick up our brick order. There was only two errors (not bad out of 70 bricks) that will be re-done and be ready for pick up some time next week.

Before we could lay the bricks, we had to lay a 1 inch layer of sand on top of the compacted roadbase. Doing this was a lot harder than we thought. It literally took hours to complete.

Finally, we were ready to begin laying out the bricks. The installation went very nicely. Lay a brick... tap tap tap. Lay another brick... tap tap tap.

We started at the sidewalk and worked toward the building. Then we moved towards the front walk. We were a human brick laying chain. One person would call out the sequence, others would fetch the required bricks, and another would lay the brick in place. Brick by brick... we got the job done.

As we installed a few rows, we would secure them in place with edgers. It was all falling into place nicely.

Once we laid in the last brick, we were amazed to see that the end result was about a 1/4 inch gap. Wow. So we filled it will a little sand and will probably use some sort of concrete sealer to finish it off.

Since we are still waiting on two more bricks (that need to be re-done) we can't do the final brick installation: sand between the joints and a compacting the bricks. So, to protect our project we laid out blue tarps and hoped that would protect the bricks from the elements and/or nosy neighbors.

With 70 engraved bricks to install - we had to be very organized.

Devon making sure everything is still level.

Laying an inch on sand.  This took a lot of work and a lot of time.

The sand is finally in place and we're ready for the bricks.

Devon lays the first few rows.

Joshua takes a turn.

It's looking good. 

Cole takes a turn.

We're getting there!

The very last brick!

Mission accomplished.  A job well done.

Now to add edging to keep the bricks in place.

Looks pretty straight.

Another view - from the front.

Can you believe how close we came? 

Bricks are now covered up.  Time to go home!

TO BE CONTINUED... (Eagle Project Part 6)

Joshua's Eagle Scout Project - Part 4

Laying the Foundation - August 10th

The next step in the process was laying down and compacting a roadbase of 6 inches. This was a multi-step process. First we had to make sure the excavation area was deep and level. Then we had to lay down weed cloth. Shoveling and raking the roadbase to correct depth. Finally, came running the gas powered tamper over the entire area.

We had one snafu. We discovered that to use the tamper effectively required spraying the roadbase with water beforehand. Unfortunately, when we hooked up our hose, the faucet was dry. Yikes.

We began calling everyone on the synagogue's board to get help... but it was one of those days where nobody was available to take our phone call. Devon and Joshua tried asking the neighbor if we could use their faucet, but they wouldn't answer the door.

Looking at the gas powered tamper (which we were being billed for by the hour) we racked our brains trying to come up with a "Plan B". Since I was convinced that there must be another outdoor faucet SOMEWHERE I searched behind every bush. Eureka... I found it!

By the end of the day, we got this step of the project complete. Hurray. While we were driving home, we got a hold of the engraver and discovered that he had completed all the bricks. Hurray again! So we were on schedule to lay the bricks tomorrow.

Laying down the weed barrier cloth.

Next comes the roadbase.  One wheelbarrow at a time.

 

Starting the tamper.  Powerful machine.

Compacting the roadbase.  Powerful and noisy machine.

Joshua checking to see if the bricks are laying level on the roadbase.

Foundation is done.  We're ready for the bricks!

TO BE CONTINUED... (Eagle Project Part 5)

Joshua's Eagle Scout Project - Part 3

Shopping for Bricks - July 26, 2010

In order to complete the project, Joshua calculated that he'd need to purchase about 300 bricks. Since our local brick seller doesn't deliver, part of our shopping required figuring out how on earth we'd get this purchase home? And... down to Ogden.
Our only means for moving ANY kind of heavy items is a little wooden trailer we own, which has a weight capacity of about 1000 pounds. With each 6x9 brick weighing in at 10 pounds each, we realized that we were looking at transporting 3000 pounds of bricks. Yikes!!!

It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out we'd need to make this purchase in three trips.

The brick wholesaler was very patient with us. While they are used to working with contractors, who can handle a forklift dumping palletes of bricks in to their trucks, that wasn't going to work for us. With our little trailer, we had to "hand place" each and every brick, so we could distribute the weight evenly. You're right if you guessed that this meant a long time for loading the trailer and then unloading the trailer once we got home.

*** As an added note. We were very fortunate to receive a generous donation of two FREE wooden palettes from a local company called "Utah Palettes". This allowed us to line our trailer with the palettes giving the bricks somewhere to sit on. ***



Meeting the Engraver - July 27, 2010


We were thrilled to receive as many orders for bricks that we did. The end result was 70 brick orders and several 100% donations to support the project. Initially we thought that 50 brick orders would be enough, but it was becoming clear that this project was going to cost a lot more than we first anticipated! All part of the learning process.

So with the 70 brick inscriptions in hand, we loaded up the trailer with 100 plus bricks and headed down to Brigham City. It was a little hairy driving a trailer of bricks through the canyon. We weren't sure how the trailer would do... but it ended up being fine.

Meeting the engraver was a little spooky. Bott & Sons, specializes in engraving Headstones. So their office is filled with "cemetary samples". Since our family has not had much funeral experience, this was our first time in an establishment like this. Let's just say, that we were very appreciative that we were only there to order engraved bricks for Joshua's Eagle Project.

Our only snag with the engraver, was their timeline for getting the bricks engraved. When I first called about the project they had quoted us a two-week turn around, but now they were estimating that it could take up to 30 days. Yikes. We told them that we REALLY needed them be done in the two weeks, and left hoping that it would all just work out somehow.

*** As a footnote, Bott & Sons were the target of arson two years ago. Their business was housed in a historical mill (apparently the best preserved in all of UT) and two years ago it was set on fire. The building suffered a complete loss and now they work out a small building beside the burned out mill. They are still looking for the criminal, who the FBI suspect is the perpetrator of other arson attacks of Historic Buildings in the area.***




Called on Account of Showers! - August 9th

Well we were all set to install the roadbase today. However, when we arrived at the synagogue today, the entire excavation site was soaked. Looks like the "dead sprinkler" still had an active hose, which had sprung a leak.


The day wasn't a complete loss because we were there to accept our order of roadbase. The owner of Sandee's Rock was really nice. She not only delivered the 2 cubics yards of rock herself, but also waived the usual delivery fee. She too is a Boy Scout mom and wanted to support Joshua's Eagle Project.



TO BE CONTINUED... (Eagle Project Part 4)

Joshua's Eagle Scout Project - Part 2

Building the Model - July 22, 2010

Joshua created a detailed plan on where all the bricks would go.

To facilitate a "running bond" pattern, the bricks need to vary each row, by either starting off with a 6x6 brick, or a 6x9 brick. Then, he has to factor in the engraved bricks. For people who ordered multiple bricks, Joshua wants to keep their bricks together.

So, to work out his plan, Joshua turned to a trusted modelling product... LEGO.

He mapped out the entire brick layout at our kitchen table using a bucket of Lego blocks. It actually worked out perfectly. The Lego model also allowed us to figure exactly how many 6x9 and 6X6 bricks to order.




More Digging - July 23, 2010

While the scouts did a great job with the first excavation, we found that we needed to go back and do yet another day of digging. Ugh.


This time, we called on the synagogue's youth group to lend a hand. We also drafted my nephew, Edan, who was visiting with us from Portland. The boys all worked well together and did as much "visiting" and they did digging. It's goo that they all laughed and had fun.

At the end of the day, we felt that we had dug deep enough in the areas where we would lay the brick. All of a sudden, the project was beginning to take shape.


TO BE CONTINUED... (Eagle Project Part 3)

Joshua's Eagle Scout Project - Part 1

What does it mean to be the mother of an Eagle Scout? It means that you give up a summer of sipping lemonade and disappearing into a good book. Instead, I spent my "summer vacation", driving trailers filled with wheel barrows and shovels. Dug dirt. Hauled brick. And became the project's water boy!

However, despite all the work involved, it has been an awesome experience watching my son work on this project. The skills and experience gained in pursuing this Eagle Scout Project are priceless.

SPECIAL NOTE:  In addition to this being Joshua's Boy Scout Eagle Project, Cole Stern (Joshua's good friend from synagogue) decided to get on board and count this as his Mitzvah Project.  Subsequently, Cole has been by Joshua's side every step of the way: from the first presentation to Congregation Brith Sholem's board members... to the laying of the last brick!  It has been awesome to watch these two young men work so well together.  What a great team.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:

The purpose of the this project was to renovate Congregation Brith Sholem's front yard, by replacing the dirt & weeds on the south side of the yard with a new patio area. The patio will consist of red brick pavers, decorative rock, and xeriscape plants.  Funding for the project was obtained by selling engraved red brick pavers for $25 each.

Off... To A Slow Start - July 12, 2010

To begin the project, we spent hours at the synagogue measuring the excavation site. Some of the issues we needed to take into account: where to dig, how deep to dig, and how to build in enough slope that water will run towards the street (instead of the synagogue). To get this all right, entailed literally hours of work before we could begin digging.

We also, had to arrange to have the entire area "blue staked" so that we didn't dig up telephone lines, cable wires, gas mains, or water pipes.




Ready, Set, Dig! - July 14, 2010


Bright and early on a Monday morning, we drove two cars of Troop 1 Boy Scouts down to Ogden to dig. We spent three hours doing the initial excavating. We were clever enough to serve the boys breakfast before hand... so the digging crew had lots of energy.

By the time we had to leave, we felt we had made a sizable dent in our excavation work.



TO BE CONTINUED...  Eagle Project Part 2