Crisp Autumn Day

The fifth tower cap is anxiously awaiting his turn for some attention.

He's not even close to the top of the list right now, though.  The black crane brought in a load of 2x4s.

I can see the wood in the tabernacle, but I think it's going upstairs.

The north gable is getting some preliminary work beneath a welder working on the tower base.

The upper level looks like it's full of scaffolding.

I know you are interested in how the gables are going to be built, so I'll keep watching this.

Fortunately, there are several good angles.

My new friend was afraid if he got too close to that upper level, he'd be put to work.

The center of attention is the annex roof.  The concrete pump didn't dare interfere.  He just reached over to get his job done.

Perhaps you have noticed the waves in the sea of rebar.  The roof of the annex is designed for drainage.  Several feet of soil will go over this roof, and what the trees and plants don't soak up needs to glide off.

The waffle plating is nearly complete.  The view from the cam changes constantly.

This square form will keep the concrete from blocking the spot for the brides' room skylight.

The openings where the steel beams protruded through the foundation walls are being covered.  A red ladder has replaced the three-story staircase which was here until Monday.

These holes are at the base of the northeast tower.  Maybe they are thinking about keeping heat inside this winter.

In an elegant example of staying out of each other's hair, Mr. Crane gracefully moved over the concrete pump.

More beams mean more progress.

The cranes are really fun to watch, in case I haven't mentioned that before.

A red ladder was keeping the newel in the northwest tower company today.

His buddy was keeping the newel in the southwest tower from getting lonely.  I suspect there is more going on here than meets my eyes.

Work on the concrete in the west lot goes on around the black crane, which cannot be moved until the southwest tower cap is lifted permanently back into place. It's easy to see that the mechanical shop floor is quite level.  

Sections of the back wall of the west parking garage were getting the pour today.

Forms are in place for a garage door on the right which will access the generator room.  Mechanical louvers will fill the opening on the left.

Perhaps you can tell that this west garage floor slants slightly to the west.  This is also for drainage.

Will we recognize the south lot if it isn't covered with dirt?

My camera zoomed in through the underground entrance and saw these two scissor lifts.

He also zoomed in from the east through an upper window.  Some of that wood is being used here.

The south lot is always a very busy place.  The porch is now a staging area for deliveries.

The elevator base is blocked off so the little front end loader doesn't accidentally tumble in.

No one I've asked seems to know what the black rolls are for, but there is no question they will be put to good use.  The staircase which was temporarily moved here Monday has disappeared.

All of this equipment will go somewhere.

In the meantime, watching and waiting is a perfectly good option.

Clouds and Welding

A welder worked on the tower base this afternoon.

The waffle plating is growing along the annex roof.  A 3-story staircase was moved this morning from the gap to make way for more forms.

The rebar around the steel is very neat and tidy.

The progress has been great fun to watch.

Handy loops in the foundation wall will tie in with the rebar.

The workmen are reassembling the staircase on the south side.

Both cranes were busy this afternoon.  Their red blocks stood out against the dark sky.

A red ladder headed up the grand staircase to help.

I could hear welding in the southwest tower and occasionally sparks flew out the openings on the right side.  I'm encouraged that work is progressing here.

In the meantime, the man lift moved the welder around.

Other onlookers speculated that this material is for roof support.

We could see this man building scaffolding above the roof line on the north side.

When I got home, I checked to see what he was doing.  Perhaps the gables need to be rebuilt before the roof can go up.

Gables will definitely change the look of the tabernacle.

The area for the pavilion has received a lot of attention since last week.  The black blankets will keep the curing concrete warm when the temperature drops below freezing tonight.

I am curious about the new black rolls.

Maybe you are, too.  Hats for the ladders, maybe.

Speculation among the many onlookers this afternoon included how much welding needs to take place before the fifth tower cap is placed.

And will the the tower caps receive their new slate shingles before or after they are lifted up?

Waterproofing is ongoing in the west lot.  The concrete looks like a rebar sandwich.

We spied the crane operator at the end of his day.  It wasn't quitting time for the welder, though.

It wasn't time for the pigeon to punch the clock, either.