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Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Mountain Valley Sandstone

I learned today that the sandstone the pioneers used on the tabernacle came from a mine in Heber.  It's a special stone called mountain valley sandstone.
The workmen are using sandstone from the same mine to restore the tabernacle.
The stones in the arches over the windows are sandstone, as are the racing stripes around the building.
There are different grades of this special sandstone, and the restorers match the stone by color.
As the sun rose this morning, the stones looked beautiful.
The bricks, the mortar and the sandstone are all getting special attention.
Some of the sandstone can be patched instead of replaced.
My camera taught me that this morning.
It's now easy to spot which stones still need work.
I suppose that if we weren't watching this restoration work, we never would have noticed the stones.
Since I was focused on it this morning, I noticed the stones reflecting the sun,
The watercourse around the base of the new temple will be covered with new sandstone.  We should see that work begin soon. 
We'll watch as much as we can through the scaffolding.
I've been watching the entrance finally get some attention.
Sandstone will also be around the underground entrance, below this one.
Forms rising around the lower pavilion are the precursor to walls.  The red ladder doesn't want to get locked in.
I have been told to look for steel supports which will go in this area and support the beautiful structure above.  They aren't there yet, but soon.
A little yellow fork lift raced around the top of the new garage roof.
He was the form-deliveryman.
It won't be too long before we'll be able to see the south lot forms from the construction cam.
This south lot has almost come alive with avarice:  More rebar, more forms, more concrete.
These lengths of rebar weigh hundreds of pounds, but with help from the crane, the men can maneuver them.
In the meantime, this area by the south entrance is being cleaned off in preparation for the membrane layer.  Then scaffolding will go up on this side.
The steeple base is also getting attention.  Special wood is being milled for this area.
We spent a lot of time last year worrying about the tower caps, and now they are being finished so nicely.
I believe I have just been corrected.  Yes, everything is being finished very nicely.
Patience is the going word, but while we wait, there sure is a lot to see.

2 comments:

Provo City Council said...

Thank you for each and every post. It really helps me appreciate the complexity, intracacy, and care in the resurrection and restoration of this pioneer testimony.

Provo City Council said...

Thank you for each and every post. It really helps me appreciate the complexity, intracacy, and care in the resurrection and restoration of this pioneer testimony.