The Pergola

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~



Construction of my pergola began a mere few weeks ago.

It's Finished!

I thought a rustic style pergola would be a nice fit in my backyard.  Last Spring, I book-marked a photo of a simple and rustic pergola, because I immediately knew I would most likely try to replicate a similar one this fall.  

From start to finish... 

My Dad cutting and hauling the cedar posts for my pergola.

My Dad cut the cedar posts from his property for me, and I am thrilled with them.   I not only love the rustic cedar posts, but the idea that these posts were cut from my parents' property makes me smile. 

Beautiful Cedar Posts for my Pergola

My Dad and I have been talking about the pergola construction since last Spring.   I showed him my inspiration photo and was surprised when he said he had the posts. We drove around his property, on the golf cart, picking out just the right cedar posts to cut.  They are large and cut from cedar trees at least one hundred years old.

 

It was time to haul them to LR and get them in my back yard!  Not an easy task!  We did it, though. My parents showed up one afternoon around 2pm with the cedar posts.  We considered waiting for additional muscles (my husband) to get home from work - but, decided we were strong enough to do it ourselves.  It wasn't an easy task - these cedar posts are very very heavy.   My Dad and I were able to unload and drag them to my backyard Step One is DONE!!! 

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 Saturday, November 2, 2013

Getting the posts in the ground;

Let the auger do the work!

Dig Dig Dig!

Is it deep enough?  No! keep digging!

A beautiful hole!

Repeat eight times, please!

I am one lucky gal --- my father brought his little cute tractor and put an auger on the back of it for digging the holes to set the posts in the ground.  Ahhhh, nothing to it!  LOL and a big LOL, too, if you believe that comment! 

Yay, all eight posts are in the ground! 

They're BEAUTIFUL!

It was a big job and not an easy task, but having the auger certainly made digging the holes possible.   The cute little blue tractor is a jewel, too.  I call it my Dad's best friend.  He does everything around his place with that little tractor and its' front end loader, forks, and a multitude of attachments.   It can get into small spaces you would think impossible.  We actually lifted the cedar posts by attaching them to the front thing-a-ma-jig, and then lifting and maneuvering them into the hole.  They were too heavy for us to pick up and man handle.  The tractor did the work and saved breaking our backs, literally! 

 

 

I'm beginning to envision the completed structure.

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Construction continues... Friday, November 8, 2013

 Cutting the cedar posts to the perfect height.

My Dad cutting a post to the right height!

You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl!

Yes, I was the front end loader thing-a-ma-jig operator that lifted the guys up!

 Sy's turn with the chain saw!  Lefty

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Construction continues the next day, Saturday, November 9, 2013...

Time to get the top lumber - 4x4 cross boards in place; and, the nailing begins...

Is it straight?  

It's Almost Finished!

The Pergola Crew!  Whew, it's DONE!

Finished!

Another View

This pergola has a special meaning to me because the cedar posts came from my parents' property, my Dad cut them, and hauled them to my house.   He brought his little tractor with the auger to dig the holes, and he and Randy set the posts.  He met me at the lumber yard to buy the 4x4 posts, and then he hauled them to my house.  He guided the construction and, along with Randy, placed and attached each board one-by-one.

My Dad and Me!

My gratitude to my Dad for all his hard work. My husband and I could not have done this without his help.  My Dad is 79 years old and without him I would not have this neat pergola in my backyard.  

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The final step is on the agenda for next Spring.  It will include adding pavers for the floor and planting the vines that will grow on the pergola.   The log swing I bought last Spring sits nicely under the pergola and a couple of outdoor chairs will be added.  Eventually a new grill will complete the area; hence, an invitation to sit, relax, and enjoy. 

 

Gayla