Raptors, Puddles and Holes in the Walls

Raptors found an updraft this morning and were soaring near Mr. Crane.

They might be able to fly as high, but they can't do the heavy lifting.

Now that the new annex slab has been poured, everyone, including Mr. Crane, was working on the next stage.

The north half of the annex has columns.  Now it's time for the south half to get them.

These were placed while I was at the site this morning.

By noon today the cam showed they were assembling the forms.  You can see the decking inside on the ground level.  Also notice the base of the northeast tower.

Rebar is in place in preparation for the tower foundation.  When that goes up, our view of the interior ends.  But while it lasts, it's fun to see the decking go in on Lower Level 1.

While raptors like to fly high, the pigeons like to watch the action below.

My camera did its best to peek inside.  I'm a little concerned about the underground entrance.

I might have to go back to the City and revisit the plans for this entrance.

The Jacobsen workmen are moving ahead with the internal floors.

And on the outside, gravel was being spread this morning.

Mr. Dashing Track Hoe decided to lend a hand there.

I love the tabernacle in the morning light.  Notice the concrete under the southeast tower.  It will soon be time for a foundation there, too.  The opening on the west side will not be used by patrons, but will connect the temple to the mechanical tunnel.  You can also see where exterior stairs will go from the very lowest level to lower level 1.  Those won't be for patrons, either.

Perhaps you have noticed this puddle from the cam.  Despite living in a desert, we've had an unusual amount of rain over the last week.  But, help arrived to drain the area.  A new green drain is visible in this picture, on the left in the back by the new concrete sump.  The tower cap was being ignored this morning.

Decking is now going in at what will be ground level.  I have been told that all five sealing rooms will have exterior light through art glass.  One of the three larger sealing rooms will be in the area above the workman's head, on the upper level.  I am going to venture a guess that the reason there isn't shotcrete over those window openings is because at some point the bricks will be removed for the art glass.

Preparations are underway for stairs in each tower.  The first step will be to place horizontal beams at the base of each tower.  You can see the holes which were recently drilled for this purpose.

Holes have been drilled at the base of the two west towers, also. 

I tried to get a good look at the roundabout which will be at the intersection of First South and First West.  Initial plans were for a fountain, but this circle will now have only landscaping.  The building you are seeing under construction will be part of the Nu Skin campus.  Gardens will fill the area between that building and the new temple. 

The roundabout is behind the white styrofoam blocks above the entrance to underground parking for Nu Skin and eventually the temple.

The west lot is changing dramatically.  The black crane assists with this effort.

These columns will support the ceiling for this portion of the underground garage.  You can see the forms in place for the east-west section of the mechanical tunnel.

My camera took the previous two photos from underneath the green construction shield.  Mr. Red Ladder is helping out with the waterproofing of this portion of the west barrier wall.

Some days, but especially on a beautiful morning, I feel like I'm watching a miracle unfold.