The
"Astronomy Field" with the layout for the 10' x 16' observatory. 
My
helper, Christopher, and I
about to dig the first post hole with the auger....YEA!!
Things
are going well digging pier holes 5' down, below the frost line for the 8"
sonotube piers.
Oops!!
The clay is too much for the auger. It lays broken on the ground. Time for the backhoe.
Time to dig the telescope pier hole, 6' down. The hole ended up 4' wide also with a 3' x 3' footing at the bottom.
My
other helper, Bailey. He's a Landseer Newfoundland.
The
cement is finally poured and dry and the telescope 18" sonotube is
backfilled and has 6' rebar in it.
The
18" sonotube telescope pier has been cut down to size. Time to mix the
cement (lots of cement).
My
helpers: Christopher, Emily, and Meghan putting their names in the newly
poured pier. Picture by my full-time supporter.... my wife Janet.
My
family's names in the cement and the plywood spacer for the pier bolts.
The
outrigger supports are 8" x 8" PT beams inside 12" sonotube piers.
The
flooring is PT 3/4" plywood on top of 2" x 8" PT joists, 16" OC. The
beams are doubled up PT 2" x 8".
A little
break from the action to do a little mowing :)
The walls
are 2" x 4", 16" OC and 6' 4.5" high.
Walls go
up very quickly with a nail gun!!
My helpers
in their playhouse.