Project Day 99 - Installing Carpet, Grading the Driveway, Testing the RV's Ascent

Dave hooked up the RV last night so that we were all ready to roll this morning. Today's test drive with the RV is a much-anticipated test. Will the main road be too steep or the turns too sharp? Will the driveway be too steep? Will it be just right? Will the GMC have enough power to push the RV backwards and up a hill? All good questions. And, we hope to have our answers shortly.

We arrived, as per Brad's, instructions at 10 AM.





The grading crew, John and his son, Johnny, were hard at work getting the first few inches nicely scraped down and smoothed out for the RV driveway area and parking area.



Here's John smoothing some of the dirt he'd taken from the side hill and disbursing it into the back yard (per Dave's request).



Pondering the Next Dirt Move



Supervisors Extraordinaire



Before Dave could back the RV up the driveway to test it, John & Johnny moved the porta-potty to the other side of the property. We were all nervous that the dump would dump.





The grading today will result in the final areas where the driveway and sidewalks will be poured tomorrow. Here's a few photos of the grading at work.

Area for Front Walkway Into House



Front "Yard" (A.K.A. Front Steep)



Driveway Corner Grade



Johnny Picking Up Garage Overpour Pieces



Brad and Dave busied themselves with cleaning up the site.



Brad, John, & Johnny ponder the ascent of the RV and the grading necessary to accomplish the mission.



And, here it comes: the RV test drive.







Mission was finally accomplished. It took three tries to get the driveway leveled enough so that the RV's rear bumper and tire and sewer line didn't touch the ground. John was very patient and persistent in getting the driveway leveled so that the back end of the RV didn't drag the driveway. Dave, of course, did a masterful ascent to the top of the hill.

Whallah! There is much more room than we had anticipated. This will be great to have as Dave can park the utility trailer in the available space. In addition, when we put out the owning on the RV, there is plenty of space to relax. The expense of building the house adds up. So, our future RV travels will probably be to the backyard. No gas. No hooking up to the car. Just pack a few things from the house and we are camping. Those folks who set up tents in their backyards to camp have nothing on us!

John Ponders the Future Postion of the RV Parking Pad





After the majority of the RV test drive was complete, the flooring company arrived. Here I have captured Donna, Dennis' wife, as they have unloaded the carpeting for the bedrooms. Kenny was sick today, so Donna stepped in to help Dennis lay the carpet.



After the test drive, we delivered the RV to the subdivision's trailer parking area. Being a paid member (which is voluntary) of the subdivision allowed us to park the RV for free. We will bring the RV back to the house after we move our furnishings into the house. I forgot to take a photo of the Highway Hilton (our RV) all settled into the "converted tennis courts" parking area. I'll do that in a few days.

Brad, Dave, and I then headed over to Dad's for lunch. By the time we returned, the carpeting was finished and Dennis and Donna were heading out the door.

Here's photos of the finished living areas.







The following photo shows the carpet. It is difficult to capture the true color of the carpet in a photo. The color is what I would describe as dark beige with cool undertones. The walls also have a cool undertone. In upcoming blog entries, I'll try to capture better pictures of the carpeting.



We will head back tomorrow morning as the flatwork is being done. Flatwork, as I have learned, is setting the forms that will contain the cement. In addition, the gravel for the RV parking area will be delivered. Adios until manaña.