Project Update: Pergola 2.0

When we first bought the place, the pergola was a sorry, run-down, broken-up mildew-stained, half-rotted-but-fully-skewed structure conveniently constructed at such a low height so as to necessitate ducking (for most of us).  Observe:

Even Luna looks like she's ducking.

Suh-weeeet-ah!  See that little birds-carved-out-of-a-coconut-thing dangling on the left end of the pergola?  Here's what they're saying: "Shhhhh....shhhhhh...Don't.  Any.  Body.  Move.  One twitch of a feather and this puppy is will implode like a condemned Vegas casino."

That's not a patina finish, just FYI.  I don't think anyone was surprised when Jess decided she wanted to improve this glamorous piece of curb-appeal.  Who you gonna call?  "Jeeeeerrrrrrrrryyyyyyyy....!"  Those of you who've been around for a while might recall that Jerry helped me construct the first pergola back at the old place on Hazelwood.  That was very much a joint effort.  This was not.  All props to pop for this project!   Behold: Pergola 2.0 (not yet finished, btw)!

Notice several improvements over version 1.0.  Increased height for non-hobbits; level and plum posts and beams; and a handy gate.  While we're on this Jerry love-fest, each and every picket you see here (and even those you don't see) was individually cut by dad.  I watched him do it.  Took him about 4 minutes per picket.  When you see the number of pickets he cut, you're brain sorta folds into itself and you teeter on the precipice  of insanity.  They look awesome.

Jess insisted on re-creating the entire pergola, which includes these individual arches.  At first I was skeptical, but now that they're up, I love them.

That's the same wood, folks.  Scroll up and compare.  Obviously the posts are new, but the beams on top are the same.  Dad planed them all and had to repair several.  On the old structure these beams were toe-nailed into the posts, and we had to crack and/or entirely break several in order to remove them.  I thought they were junked for sure, but dad said huh-uh.  So he took them back to his shop and "Shazam!" (dad's favorite super hero was Captain Marvel, who first appeared in Whiz Comics #2 back in February, 1940), they looka like new.  Unreal.  Color me impressed.  There is still more work for Jerry us to do, and I'll update accordingly.