I bet you can't

A logging theme golf wouldn't be complete without an axe stuck into a stump somewhere on the course. Whistle Punk Hollow will be no exception. Today, Little Matt fabricated the axe head, handle and stump structure from sturdy welded steel. It is designed to handle every single person (over the next twenty years) pulling on the handle to see if it is indeed stuck securely in place.

As soon as it had cooled enough to handle I had Matt do the first test.

It passed without even a teeny wiggle. :)

-grampa dan

I love it when a plan comes together

It is always great fun to deliver a themed project to a customer. This morning we headed out on the road to transport the log car for the train to WhistlePunk Hollow. Jeff and Janice have been busy building the trestle onsite. Both the steam engine and log car would be permanently placed at last.

On the way to Squamish we stopped at the airport to drop off one of our workshop attendees.

The log car unloaded effortlessly with the skillful operation and smooth delivery by Jeff at the controls of the excavator.

The Shay steam engine I had delivered a few weeks ago was the final piece of the puzzle. Jeff lifted it and eased it into position perfectly as well.

The result was pretty spectacular. It was grins all around!

-grampa dan

A good day for a drive!

Last Thursday, before the last of our workshop guests arrived we worked hard to finish applying the remaining fiberglass reinforced concrete to the truck and steam donkey. They turned out great! With the business of the last four days I never had time to post some pictures. Here they are at last.

The crew is busy working on three more log features this morning. I'm off to Squamish to deliver the log car for the train as well as the sign. The sun is shining brightly and it is a GREAT day for a drive!

-grampa dan

Exhausted but happy

Tonight I sit exhausted but happy. After four long, long days of sculpting workshop it is now done. This group of students were among the most eager we've had yet. They asked so many questions, worked so hard on their projects and we laughed and joked our way through the days while creating a wonderful assortment of creative sculptures. I had a great time and so did everyone else!

It was the most possible fun we could have while learning!

Thanks to all who attended and who helped pull off this fabulous event!

-grampa dan

Two full days in one...

Today was busy from the time I unlocked the shop doors - right until I locked them again a little after 11:00 pm. We encourage our workshop guests to arrive a little early - actually the day before the workshops officially begin. But before our guests were to arrive in the late afternoon we decided we could squeeze in a full day's work - just for fun.

Peter and big Matt started in on the steam donkey log skids, mudding them before lunch with the sculpting starting just after. By afternoon coffee they were done and looking fine.

With a little help from our early comers we decided to go one step more and apply the fiberglass reinforced concrete to the logging truck log as well. All hands worked hard to polish that off before 5:00. We'll let it all cure until next week but we are now down to paint on these two major features.

By that time all of our guests had arrived. Everyone was eager to get started on the hands-on portion of the workshop. I gave some basic instructions to the group and they were off. It was with great reluctance they stopped (after a lot of coaxing) for a quick pizza supper. Then it was back to work once more...

The group worked hard until just before 11:00 pm. It amazes me how the same assignment (in this case sculpt a dinosaur head) can produce such imaginative results with each one so different from the rest. It happens with every workshop. I'll be posting more pictures tomorrow and through the weekend of our progress.

Another Sculpting MAGIC Workshop is under way!

-grampa dan