Post Day

Today was post day. One thing I forgot to mention yesterday was that we received our order for all the lumber for the foundation and decking support. The foundation consists of 15 8x8' posts sunk into the ground. The depth has to be twice the height above ground. So on the short side, we have 3' posts sunk 2' in the ground. And the high side we have 6' posts sunk 4' in the ground. Okay, so that isn't exactly correct. That was what we had in our heads, but everyone knows nothing ever goes as planned. As it turns out for ease of figuring; all posts are approximately four feet in the ground. The way the inspectors are around here, it's far better to do overkill. But we are stuck with the problem of the high side being not deep enough. Proposed solutions were; drop the high side a foot, making steps down into that section, removing the posts and digging deeper, or adding more dirt to the side making it even with the rest. Option 'C' is probably the way we are going. Faster and less work in the end. Digging in the Florida sand isn't at all bad once you get past the roots. However, the roots can be a real pain and the sand has a tendency to flow out of the posthole digger as you are trying to lift it out. Yes, that's right ladies and gentleman; we are digging these holes by hand. Ugh...

Anyway, all posts are sunk and we ran out of light. Funny thing about working outside; can only do so during daylight hours. Tomorrow we hope to get the inspector in and have him sign off on what we have. Then we'll alter as necessary and press on adding the headers and joists.

Picture shows Sonny and I after dropping one of the posts. Did I mention they were freaking heavy?!