There comes a time in every backyard's life when a hammock becomes necessary. The summer of 2012 was that time for our backyard.
It began on a Saturday midmorning with an able minded woman and two able bodied men. What followed was a glorious day of backyard instruction in construction.
Materials:
2 - 6"x6"x10' treated posts
2 - 8" eye bolts
4 - washers
2 - nuts
2 - steel hook and hook turnbuckles (to connect the hammock loops to the eye bolts)
2 bags of quick set concrete
First, the eyebolts were sunk into the posts and washers and nuts were added to keep the bolts from stripping out of the wood.
While this was being accomplished by one group, another was using a posthole digger to create two holes of equal depth and diameter.
To give you and idea of the depth, the girls jumped in and pretended to be trapped.
Ok, so maybe it was just a lot of fun to jump in a hole and sink up to one's waist. :)
It was also a lot of fun to use the screwdriver on the dirt . . . with her head . . .
Some of the helpers needed some extra attention.
"Why are you taking pictures!?"
"Hmmmmm . . . I'm not sure what I think of that."
"I think we need another hole right about here."
"Must. Push. Harder!"
When things got a little slow, the helpers tended their garden.
The posts were placed at a slight angle to keep them from bowing inward.
Using a level kept the angles of both posts equal.
Concrete was added to the post holes after the posts were inserted.
We used a wheelbarrow in which to mix the concrete.
"Is it time to hang it yet?"
We leveled the posts again after adding the concrete.
It is VERY important to promptly and thoroughly wash the mixing "bucket" of all concrete residue.
Here we have promptly and thoroughly washing the wheelbarrow. Yes, yes it did take both of them to complete this project. Thanks to them, our hammock has survived a summer and winter of play and relaxation!! I am looking forward to many more years of enjoyment.
1 comment:
Ooooh, wonderful! It looks like a lovely and relaxing place. :)
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