Bliss!

The restoration of the temple is beautiful.

It's worth a trip to see for yourself.

The windows are breathtaking.

This keystone above the north entrance is original, of course.

Notice the graceful copper water collection system.

The keystone above the gable windows is an eye-catcher.

Every brick, every stone, has received meticulous attention.

A keystone is at the top of every arched window. Next are the Voussoire stones.

Springer stones are at the sides.  These stones are quartzitic sandstone, as is the belt course.

The design of the repair of the tabernacle was never intended to hide that pioneers originally constructed this building.

However, new to the temple is a sandstone transom panel which tops the ground level windows.

Notice the level of the door threshold.  The ceiling begins at the level of the panel, but it is still quite high.

With the scaffolding dismantled, the sandstone watercourse is visible.

The scaffolding was stacked and awaiting removal.

A huge flatbed arrived shortly after I took this picture to carry it away.

The slate on the roof is finished.

The corbels, fascia and soffit are all completely painted.

I was thrilled that my arrival coincided with the sun.

Amazingly, the sun was only shining on the north side of the temple.  Clouds came in rapidly as I walked to Second South.

This last little corner is the end of the huge pit which once covered the entire site.

Gate posts are being kept warm near the south lot planter, with new bases for fences posts nearby.

The gate posts in the picture above are behind the pavilion's cupola in this view from the cam.

I walked around the entire block to make sure I didn't miss anything.

Workmen have told me I miss a lot, so I try to keep my eyes open.

It wasn't hard to see that the driveway has received another pour.

Next week when I visit the site, we'll actually be able to see the new gate posts.

But only if I can pull myself away from the north side.

The Case of the Disappearing Scaffolding

I couldn't resist going to the site for a peek.

We've been waiting a long time to see the beautiful brick.

We have actually never seen this arch without scaffolding obscuring it.  So close!

The scaffolding began going up in January of 2014, just one year ago.  You recall that the collapsing roof during the 2010 fire pulled down three of the four gables and these had to be rebuilt.

The temple has come a long way since then.

I saw a lot to admire today, such as the dentils under the new gable eaves.

The gablet was also lovely.

As hard as the men were working, they can't overlook details.

One important fact is they are taking down the structure they are standing on.

Second, the scaffolding is affixed quite securely to the temple...

Although it's clear they are working on remedying that.

I could not resist trying to see the windows.

This is where we were in December, still blocked.  I can't be greedy.  Yet.

For a peek, this was satisfying.  However, temperance in all things, at least for awhile.

The Big Goodbye

When I arrived at the site this afternoon, the guys in white pants were working fast on the top level of scaffolding at the north gablet.

They quickly moved to the next level, obviously just touching up.

This painter climbed over the south gable roof before I could get my camera focused.

I spied this painter finishing the top of the steeple deck.

All four corners of the steeple deck look this nice.  The slate is completely finished.

Then I saw these men cleaning brick on the west side.

They are using tools like this one.

Do you want to know why they are working on the west side?

Because they are finished with the north side.

It's time to say goodbye to the white sheeting, at least on this side.  And that means the scaffolding, too.  This exciting action can be watched via the construction cam.

In the meantime, work continued everywhere else.  More window trim went in the east entrance.

This side in particular reminds me of my YW campouts, for some reason.

I accept that you have expectations of my camera, so he peeked inside.

It was more interesting outside, though.  These men were installing fence posts on the east side, making every effort to keep them straight.  Notice the two gloves in the lower right corner.

The posts are welded into place.

I was delighted to see posts at the entrance on Second South.

Workmen on the left are cutting rebar.

The machine they used was quiet and quick.

Little by little, the new driveway is coming along.

Mr. Camera was able to get this photo of the actual entrance to the underground garage.

The south lot still looks like a glacier field.

These men were ice fishing.

I'm still trying to figure out the tomato cages near the pavilion.

Some were lying flat, but notice the dirt.

In fact, there was a lot of new dirt in the south lot.  And new gate posts keeping warm.
Notice the men building forms in the background.

This was fun to watch.  I haven't seen forms going up for months.

There are hinges involved.

Our friend Brian Olson made this adorable diagram for us.  A dumpster will be discreetly parked in this area.  The driveway from Second South is on the left.

Masons have finally moved to the most northern planter.

A lot of masons were working hard today.

They make a surprising amount of noise. 

If you drive a wheelchair, you will be pleased to know the ramp on the west side has made some big advances.

I'm not sure I can navigate this labyrinth without getting lost, but perhaps there will be arrows.

But the big news, is, yes, finally, Christmas is coming late, but it's coming.