Enchanted Adventure Pt III

Whoop whoop!  Sunday was a fantastic day.  We climbed up and over the mountains from Carlsbad to Las Cruces.  I enjoyed a pit stop in Cloudcroft to check out their Memorial Day festivities - an artsy market and the fire department rummage sale.  It was amazingly cool up there in the mountains, and we all remarked about what an unexpected landscape it was.  As we dropped out of the clouds, you could see the flat dryness awaiting.  After a quick lunch, we made it to White Sands National Monument. 

 Thomas asked me which I liked better, the sands or the caverns.  They really are tough to compare.  The sand was much more fun to play in, and play we did!  After an upright shot, I tried to tackle Thomas into the sand.  I will need to work on those moves.

There was no cordoned-off trail to follow, so we enjoyed making our own paths.  We also all left our shoes in the car and trod barefoot...nice.

 Thomas and Marty made many leaps over the edge into the sand.  On Marty's camera there are some nice shots of the guys hanging in mid-air.  Here Thomas has landed a great way down.  I joined him, and then Marty slid down and "avalanched" the sand behind our heads - with every part of your body so supported, you can relax practically every muscle in your body. 

Marty in the distance taking pictures.

There actually is a "path" from the parking lot where we stopped.  It was a loop, and every fifty yards or so a plastic post stuck out of the sand to mark the trail.  A few sections I saw were clearly heavily-trafficked, but when the wind blows, it doesn't take long for the tracks to disappear.

 I like this view and the faint shadow of Marty's footsteps back to us.

Ollie missed out on the giant sandbox.  I am sure he would have delighted to sit in the sand and fill his shoes and diapers and ears, etc with white sand, though a big shade umbrella would have made his mother feel better about it.  He was a tired boy, so Miki snugged him into the "front harness" (is it an Ergo?) and covered him up.  He slept pretty much the whole time were there.  I was able to get his hands in the sand before he zonked out.

From there we were psyched to drive into the Organ Mountains and come out the other side in Tom's old stomping grounds of Las Cruces.  We were even more excited at the thought of checking into our hotel and jumping into the pool.  Tom toured us around as we wound our way into Cruces and towards the hotel.  Our enthusiasm plummeted when Miki discovered that the pool was empty.  Muy triste!  Showering felt good, though it wasn't the same, and then we loaded back up once more for the night to get some grub at La Posta - a spot Thomas thought we would all enjoy in old town Mesilla.  And was he right...

 Ollie was awake!  And he was really happy flirting with a little girl, watching the toucan and parrots, splashing in the fountain, and checking out the milling crowd as we waited for a table.

He even found a seat until he got a high chair.

The food was delicious.  We were all stuffed, but made a little more room for sopapillas.  Ollie had his first refried beans, which elicited a rather funny scrunching of nose and squinting of eyes while he shook it off and had another bite.  I also discovered along the way what fun he could make with a drinking straw, so Ollie called dibs on all our straws and had quite a time drumming away and folding them up.  

Enchanted Pt II

It was hot!  Ollie was slathered with sunblock several times, but his arms still looked like they were pinking up. The cheese in our cheese and cracker lunch melted before it was eaten.  But still I donned pants and packed long sleeves in the parking lot - it's a lot cooler 750 feet underground!  After everyone used the bathrooms, we got in line for tickets.  Thomas and I have a national parks pass, so we didn't have to pay for them, but still needed tickets.  Once at the counter I got nervous we wouldn't be able to go. 

A sign on the counter asked if anyone had been in any other cave or mine in the last seven years.  I knew I hadn't, but Thomas had for work.  He answered honestly, and instead of quarantining us for 48 hours, the ranger asked if it was east of the Mississippi.  He answered no - it had been in Wyoming.  She told us there is a disease on the east coast affecting bats, and they are trying to be cautious because they don't know much about the disease.  We were free to go.  Turns out Marty had been, too, but in the northwest. 

We had planned to hike in and take the elevator out.  This was also the plan of nearly everyone else there.  A ranger suggested if we are able, we might consider taking the elevator down and hiking out.  There was no wait to take the elevator down, but there was already a 30 - 45 minute wait at the bottom to take the elevator up.  Able-bodied as we are, we went with their suggestion, effectively "cutting" in front of all the people ahead of us in line who would take at least 20 minutes longer to get into the caverns on foot. 

They warned us as we descended, ears popping and all, that there is no touching, pictures are allowed, please whisper, no food or drink (unless to pacify the baby), and the only bathrooms/services are at the base of the elevator - the path is one way.  Ollie's ears must have been plugged and missed the warning to whisper.  He was enjoying himself for a while in the backpack, and then Miki pulled him out and carried him when he started getting noisy.  It was all in good fun, and I doubt anyone's trip was ruined because he wanted to say he liked the columns or stalactite.  It wasn't in good fun when he peed through his diaper all over his mom, who hadn't packed an extra one.  Oh well...

 Tom and I at the "top of the cross".  We didn't bring flashlights, so all we could see was what was lit by the park.  Otherwise, it would be pitch black!  And it was chilly to me.

 My pictures were pretty pathetic, but the textures and formations were really amazing.  I liked the "draperies" and the colors.  There were also little ponds throughout that reflected back the beauty....so neat! 

  

When we started hiking out, there were a number of other people going the same direction.  We agreed that it would be easier on our knees to climb out than climb down, and what great exercise it was.  There were still people coming down, and I knew we were getting close to the opening when I heard a heavy young woman threaten her child to turn around and walk back to the car.

  Really, you know you are getting close when you see this!  You could tell natural light was filtering in when the rocks started to be coated in an algae like growth.  It was pretty amazing to see the moisture condensing in the top of the caverns, and it made it damp enough at the top of the natural entrance for this kind of plant life.

 Looking good - nobody was too red in the face, though we were all a little wary of getting pooped on by the birds diving through the mouth area.

The eye of light is the natural opening, where the mud swallows that have nested on the walls dive in and out by day, and where the bats escape into the night at dusk.  We didn't go back to see the bats as planned because we were all tired and hungry. 

You'd think after another day of subpar napping this little guy would be worn out, but he was just so happy to see me that he was always smiling.

We made it to Mass on Saturday, where Ollie was complimented on his worship techniques.  The arms in the air during the Alleluias, the joyous strains during the Amens.  He really was great, and I was grateful to get to hold him, not that Miki is ever short of hands who want to hold him at Holy Family.  After Mass we went to Yellow Brix for dinner - delicious and nutritious (and they served gelatto!) for everyone, even Ollie who liked the spinach dip best.

We stayed at the Trinity Hotel.  It is a really fancy place that had a room with a large safe in it, in which was a sleeper sofa.  Thomas and I slept in the safe, and I was greatly relieved not to have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night because the vault doors were super squeaky to get out.  Now we can say we slept in a safe...a secure night's sleep, for sure.

 I didn't get the memo to wear my green shorts on Sunday, too.  Ollie woke up in a terrific mood, hopeful for another blueberry pancake, I'm sure.

Next stop...White Sands!

Enchanted Adventures Pt I

It all started a long, long time ago when Tom answered the phone while we were driving home from grocery shopping in Trinidad.  He talked to my sister while I drove, and I gathered from his side of the conversation that she asked what we were doing for Memorial Day.  He told her we had plans, and it seemed like that was all the further that went.  So after the call, I asked if we wouldn't gladly change our plans if they wanted to come visit, and he suggested maybe they would want to come along. 

While it may have been more car seat time than the little guy would have liked - than any of us would have liked, we just wrapped up a terrific visit from Miki, Marty, and Ollie.  And I miss them already!

They flew into Albuquerque's Sunport Friday afternoon, where, with a little slight of hand, Thomas dropped me off out of the truck and reappeared with Marty in a mini-van.  The five of us made a quick stop for some snacks and beverages before embarking on our enchanted adventure.  First stop: Lincoln, NM - Wortley Hotel, formerly owned by Sheriff Pat Garrett (killed Billy the Kid).

Ollie stayed in his mom and dad's room, but stopped by ours for a visit.  He was such a happy baby, though his mom was not happy that he wasn't sleeping more.

The Wortley is a bed and breakfast, and though the kitchen is open only breakfast and lunch, the owners graciously whipped up some burgers and a grilled cheese for us, since there was nothing else nearby open for dinner.  Delicious!! 

Dad - you see the last item from the grill? "Captain Jack's grilled cheese with green chiles and bacon with chips" - that is what I had for dinner, minus the bacon.

After Ollie's bath and bedtime, we enjoyed a couple adult beverages on the lovely wide porch.  There were chairs and rockers spread out for our enjoyment...a perfect ending to a great reunion!

Ollie was a little pig - skinny as he is!  He had his first pancake - a blueberry one.  He ate most of it....

...and it was good!  We all had a great meal, even the little birdies chirping for their mama to bring them some more worms.  Their nest was on the corner of the porch, and like Ollie, they were flapping and squawking for joy over breakfast!

As we packed up the car, Ollie was ready to play.  We actually didn't get to play with the frisbee, but the sight of it inspired another traveler to give Ollie a special woven frisbee that wouldn't hurt if he didn't catch it.

Back in the car, we made a bee line for the Carlsbad Caverns.  We arrived at lunch time and spread a little picnic out.  The sun was shining, but we knew it wouldn't be long before we were in the cool caverns.

Ollie was styling in his hat and his camo-print sunglasses.  He actually kept the sunglasses on, which was pretty surprising.  He must have realized it was too bright without them.  Mirrored lenses meant I had no idea where he was looking, but occasionally he would tip forward and look out over the tops of them - adorable!

Roofing!

If you've been paying attention, you must think we are doing something out of order - truth is, we are nowhere near ready to contemplate putting a roof up.  Since we poured concrete walls on the 12th, Tom, Pop, and I have spent our time taking down scaffolding and bracing and hanging the ledger.  Before we can start roofing, we must (1) pour the slab for the basement (two pour process), (2) build our support wall in the basement, (3) hang our floor, (4) build our main floor walls on the east, west, and north side and frame the south wall, and then maybe consider hanging a roof.  Granted there are lots of other projects in there - bucking and bracing, building stairs, etc.

Saturday, Thomas climbed the roof at Dave & Marie's for a roofing party.  He, Dave, Daniel, and Pop successfully got the new panels on the garage (well, we'll find out how successfully in the next rainstorm).

 David & Daniel anchoring down the panels - hopefully windproof!

Daveman getting the corner screwed down

And here's our horn playing nephew who rocked the Spring Concert last Thursday.  He received MIP award for his grade level - way to go!!!

Daniel had commented about last Thursday's night of music as our local opportunity for fine arts and culture.  Turns out it was, indeed - the Cimarron Wind Ensemble - high school and middle school musicians - played for over an hour.  To make the night even more festive, Thomas and I got to have dinner with Daniel and Julie at the St. James.  It was a small town version of a double date for dinner and the symphony, not that Thomas or I are missing double dates and the symphony...

AND in four more days I get to see little Ollie and his mom and dad - CAN'T WAIT!!!

Naked Walls

I am not ready to post pictures, as we are in the midst of the clean-up phase.  The walls are still setting up and doing their thing, but in the meantime we have hung the ledgers for the floor joists.  We also disassembled the scaffolding and are slowly collecting screws out of the wall and stacking up our OSB bracing material.  This is going to be a process, but it is mostly no-brainer work.  Aside from pulling the bracing materials, and the hundreds of screws, our next step will be prepping to pour half the basement slab. 

 

The most exciting bit of this clean-up phase was the removal of scaffolding and obstructions of our doorway.  My back still flinched a little at the thought of having to walk up to the construction trailer for a tool or a ____, but slowly as the work progressed Wednesday evening, the muscles began to relax.  Just thinking about stooping under the scaffolding makes me wince a little! 

 

Tonight, we dance!  Or just wiggle in our seats as we listen to the Cimarron Wind Ensemble, notably Andres in the brass section.  I teased Jennifer that I might see if they would play "Happy Birthday" for her, but I kind of don't think they will, since she will be in Denver.  Oh happy Syttende mai for her!

Pour Pics

There wasn't much time between pre-pour and pour - once that chute was full, there was no turning back.  We had three trucks of concrete come, not all at once, and Thomas essentially took three runs with the concrete.  He started next to the door and got almost around with the first truck, worked his way all the way around with the second, and then the third truck gor him nearly full circle for three full runs.

This is when the concrete first started flowing.  Dave is close behind with the vibrator to make sure the concrete settles well and doesn't create any hollow cavities sround rebar, etc.

Once the concrete started coming, there was no time for snapping pictures.  Everyone had something to do, and we just kept moving.  We would get a little break inbetween trucks, but the guys were still vibrating, and we were inspecting the buckings and if the walls were staying plumb. 

 

 Daniel "posing" with the vibrator.  Too many jokes to go there, but it was fascinating to watch as it settled out and air bubbles rose to the top.

 The concrete nearly made it all the way around.  Marie was our hero, driving all the way to Raton to buy quickrete so we could finish the last couple of feet.  It was so important for the brackets to be buried in concrete, so they'll hold when the joist are added before we start the next level.  Pop was smoothing the south wall where we will frame up the wall above it, and Thomas was roughing up the other three walls where we will pour concrete for those walls above.

What a work crew!  Tom & I, Daniel, Pop, and David, plus cameraman Andres!

Compare the sky to that first pic of Thomas bracing the wall Saturday morning.  We were fortunate to get our work done between the morning showers and the afternoon thunderstorm and hail.

Pre-pour Pics as Promised

This morning, I can say I am not quite as sore anymore.  If I crouched to get through this doorway below it might be another story...

Not that the walls are full of concrete and stable, the obstacles through this doorwary can be removed.  Note that there is a bottom brace and two middle braces, plus the scaffolding on the inside.  A back-breaker of the worst kind! 

 Friday we installed the window bucks and the metal plates that are a part of the ledger system for hanging our floor joists.  The brackets penetrate into the cavity and have holes through which the concrete will flow and bond, securing them and the hardware that will be attached later.  You can also see the OSB sticking up behind the scaffolding - this is for interior bracing.  Seriously - a lot of work accomplished on Friday!

 Saturday morning, it was hard to trust the blue sky for all the rain in the night and morning.  It didn't last, but because of the stormy weather, we waited until Saturday morning to put the interior vertical braces up.

 Sean showed up right on time with the pumper.  He is a friend of Pop's and a great guy to have working with us.  He arrived 30 minutes before the concrete to set up and get everything in position.  The concrete would then be fed into the pumper and out the extended hose.

Here it is extended, and Thomas is getting a mini-lesson on manipulating the nozzle at the corners.  Too bad it wasn't as easy to manipulate once the concrete was flowing through it - lesson learned is doing the scaffolding a little higher for the first floor walls...

Along with the pumper came the pencil vibrator.  It was electric, but still had a sizeable motor that had to be carried around so the operator could use two hands.  David was just getting warmed up!

The prep work that went into the pour was no small step, and it wasn't until after that Thomas said he'd have backfilled the whole thing if the walls didn't hold and just shop for a double wide.  We were all pretty excited for the reality descending upon us early Saturday morning - or maybe I was the only one giddily jumping around and clapping and muttering, "It's all happening!"

Major Accomplishment!

Thomas told me that if this morning's work failed, we were filling in the hole and buying a double-wide.  Thank God it didn't fail because I would have a hard time justifying all the work and money we've invested this far.  Today we poured the concrete walls for our basement.  It was a lot of work, and without the help of all our family here, we would still be out there trying to work through the rain and wind.

Pictures are forthcoming on Monday, but for now the story...
We worked a lot of evenings readying the basement walls.  Using ICFs (insulated concrete forms), we built up the walls - 40 x 30 feet with a few windows and a door, 8 feet high.  Pop has been here non-stop helping with rebar and bracing.  He brought over wall penetrations for our water, electricity, and sewage lines and has really been invaluable.  Thomas and I took Friday off, and we all put in a full day securing the top two courses, the window and door bucks, additional bracing, and our brackets for mounting the main floor floor joists.  This morning the finishing touches of vertical bracing for plumb walls were executed just in time for the arrival of concrete.

With scaffolding and bracing, the doorway into the hole is overwrought with obstacles that only got worse, as additional bracing was added, making it a test of thigh and low back muscles.  Add to that a tetanus shot for me on Friday morning and an exhausting day of work Friday - the top course peaked at my shoulder level, so it was more fatiguing putting in some 140+ rebar ties.  And then I had the fun job of putting in some 60 screws in the bracing below the scaffolding, which was touch on my knees.  Throw in some rough weather forecasts - thunderstorms nearly every day for the last week, including yesterday and today.  When the rain started around 2 am, I wasn't sure I would ever fall asleep from worrying about whether we might not be able to pour concrete this morning.  I did fall asleep to wake up around 6 am, and shortly after be plagues with the sound of rain again.  I can't complain because we need the moisture, but I did ask if it is lucky to have rain on a pour day - as in the luck from rain on our wedding day and NM reception.  A sure sign of a good day is rain!  Needless to say, I was tired and anxious for the day.

Truth be told, all went super well.  The vertical bracing was put up; the pumper showed up on time; and the concrete showed up on time.  We got to work!  Thomas maneuvered the hose of concrete; Daniel and David tag-teamed the 80" pencil vibrator - and not without lots of teasing and joking about that.  I was clean-up crew trying to keep clean the top edge where the next course of block fits and being a general go-for-it girl.  I got to hold the vibrators motor for the guys when Andres took a break and was ready for them to use it on my shoulders and neck - so relaxing!  After three courses we did run a little short on one corner, so gratefully Marie ran to Raton to buy some quickrete to finish up the job.  Except for the last corner, we were pretty much in folding chairs with Tecate in hand by 11 am!  What a work crew!  And behind the scenes, Mom and Marie got all the food for the post-pour-party set up.  Tremendous effort by all!  And then the rains came!

I think we will all be feeling it tomorrow.  There is more work to do, but I think we are all deserving of a good rest.  And thanks for the rain, God!

We interrupt the house work...

Congratulations to our friends Britta and Ryan on their new little one - Kiri!  This post is related to her arrival, and I waited to post it because I didn't want to say what we sent them before they received it.  (I don't really expect that a new mom is really reading this thing when she has a wonderful little bundle to keep her busy and exhausted, but all the same...)

The baby was expected in a week or so, and I was kicking myself for never getting anything sent for her since I missed two different showers.  I couldn't squeeze my eyes tight enough to make something fun appear in my recollection of the one shelf of baby items at the variety store in Cimarron.  All I could see were a couple overpriced bottles and pacifiers - not something fun, and certainly not unique.  Why a baby who is interested in eating, sleeping, and pooping needs something fun and unique is beside the point.

Then I remembered that a certain little niece I have, Clara - for anonymity, had tie-dyed a number of little onesies to sell.  She showed them to us a month or two back after we heard the story of her enterprising plans.  Clara set a goal for herself in high school to buy the mercantile and open a cheese factory.  Pre-cheese-making, she discovered how fun it is to tie-dye and was ready to turn any article of clothing into a rainbow of colors.  So I called Clara a couple weeks ago on a Saturday to see if she was still selling onesies - she was.  I asked how much they cost and if she accepted both cash and check.  Mostly over the phone I got a verbal shrug of the shoulders, though she said her mom would say she could accept check or cash.  I think she already had dollar signs in her eyes.

A couple hours later I stopped by her shop, where Clara had laid out her collection across the dining room table.  I deliberated - some very beautiful work and varying styles.  I settled on a short sleeve and a long sleeve for Baby Fisher and paid in cash.  I figured a check would be a little harder to spend, but I had exact change and could see the allure of the green bills in Clara's eyes.  Clara's sister helped write up a receipt for them - sold from the "Onesies Store" - which Clara wanted to copy to write up receipts for future purchases.  Having recently helped Clara to zip up her wallet at a basketball concession stand, I asked if she had room in there for anything more.  She acknowledged that she did not and would need a cash box for her sales.  Her sister supplied an old pencil box covered in stickers.  In the bills went, and Clara proudly proclaimed that she was going to save up all her money from onesies and from selling eggs (from the neighbor's chickens) and see how much she has at the end of the summer.

Four hours later sitting around the same table, Clara's tio said he has an iPod to sell - time to upgrade to something with more memory.  The shrewd little saleswoman with cash box in hand quickly shouts out how much money she has and is ready to purchase - maybe seen a couple of those auction shows on TV.  In truth, she needs to sell several more onesies before she has enough to buy an iPod, but I just got such a laugh at how quickly the savings plan went out the window.  Clearly she was both proud to have earned the money and eager to spend her first sales. 

Oh Clara....

Pictures, as promised

The rain has been intermittent.  After the big storm on Sunday evening, Monday was overcast and drizzly.  I worked late and didn't get home until close to 9 pm, so I didn't miss much.  Tuesday was more of the same until about 1 pm, when the sun finally burned through.  Thomas and I worked together in the afternoon building our window bucks to be installed before Saturday.  We had to cut our work short for another rainstorm rolling in.  We need the moisture, so we welcome the rain with our fingers crossed that we can keep our scheduled concrete pour on Saturday morning.

 Tom and Pop on Saturday morning as the third course went up.  At this stage the cellar doorway is very easy to navigate.

 An "after shot" of the ramp down to the cellar door, now blocked with scaffolding.  The mud has dried and left our big foot prints.  Pretty wild how the rain penetrated about an inch of soil, and once that layer of mud stuck to your shoe, it peeled away the mud to a layer of fresh dirt underneath, making it much easier for me walking down the ramp behind Thomas.

 We got the scaffolding up on Sunday morning, now covered with plastic sheeting.

 We got this OSB up to brace the blocks from the wind just before the storm blew in Sunday.  Tom and I were snug down in the gap between the dirt and block, and in particular his pants had to be shaken out for all the dirt he collected in his pockets.  For each board we put up, I would run down into the gap to get it in place with Thomas and then run back up and onto the scaffolding to make sure the blocks were pressed down - a great little bit of exercise.

Tuesday afternoon we got out the chop saw and got to work on our bucking.  These are essentially place holders in the block to keep the concrete out of the area we want out windows.  We will also make one for the cellar door.

And who knows what tonight will bring!?!  Hopefully we can finish up the bucking and . . .

Puddle jumping weather

No pics - though there are some to post....the camera is in the construction trailer, which we locked up yesterday in the middle of a big storm.  It was a little too muddy to go back to retrieve it.

Thomas stayed home on Friday and worked with his dad on leveling the first layer.  When I got home, it was looking good.  So we added a second course of block and rebar and wired it all up.  Things were looking nice and level and plumb, so we applied the liquid nails where we needed and let it set up. 

Saturday morning I made a quick grocery store run in the morning before we got too dirty.  The third course went up pretty quickly, and then discussions about scaffolding got serious.  Mostly I tried to stay out of the boys' way.  They built up the scaffolding bases while I cleaned the kitchen, made iced tea for the trailer fridge...really serious things.  As the bases were ready, I carried them into the hole, and soon they were all ready to be stabilized and placed.  We carried some of our floor joists down to hold up our walkways and then prepared the decking for the west side.  Thomas has no problem on narrow walkways - all his days on narrow booms working on cranes.  I know it is not so high I couldn't jump off, but there is some latent fear - maybe a throwback to rolling off the bed as a baby and breaking my leg.  Regardless, I did walk along it, and it wasn't too bad, though Thomas accurately observed that as the wall grows up along side it, it isn't as scary.

We were pretty pooped on Saturday after a full day of work, but after mass on Sunday, we began again.  After we hauled some more block over, Thomas and I laid the rest of the decking and then added a couple extra braces for stability.  I got up and made the loop, but then wasn't so keen on him running across them chasing me.  Yikes!  Pop showed up just in time to see Tom's antics.  The next course went up without much fanfare, and we were able to lay the rebar in place.  Great scaffolding!  Next we braced the outside with what will be the roof decking later.  This is a most important element of securing the blocks from the mighty Miami wind, especially since we will be away at work during the week.  As we worked, we watched a storm blow in and past and around and, finally, right into us.  We had gratefully gotten the last screws in place and the equipment out of the hole before it crashed into us.  Tom and I had cut 40 ft of sheeting to cover our scaffolding when it hit.  We were under the carport while the wind flew in from the south and blew over us, showering the yard with a lot of hail.  All we could think about was the mud and soupiness of the hole.  We held out, and it let up.  The staple gun made quick work of laying the sheeting down, and we made it back across the property in our shoes caked with inches of mud.  Bummer that the screen door window let a bunch of water into the mud room, but it didn't take long before we were clean, warm, and dry.

A busy weekend on the house, and we plan to pour the basement walls on Saturday!  Hopefully all will work out.  The rain came down through the night, and tired as I was, I couldn't sleep for imagining the hole filling up with water and the bindweed storing up enough water to take over any remaining unclaimed territory.  Really, the rain was much needed!  And I won't complain for the wonderful smell of fresh rain or the way everything just felt fresher.  I am not feeling as sore as I expected today.  I figured that I got up and down from the scaffolding at least 30 times and had to crouch underneath at least a dozen to get in and out of the hole.  A whole other kind of exercise routine!

Oh, and no puddle jumping - the ground just soaked it right up!  Only good puddles for jumping are out on the highway...