Feeling the Pinch...

In more ways than one...
 

Finally took a little time this weekend to do a little Halloween prep. After attacking some of the weeds that were taller than I was, I got the control center mausoleum moved down to the back where I could work on it. Also started laying out the new-and-improved Mine Shaft '13.

Assembling those pipes is a tough job - especially by yourself. Hence the first Halloween related blood of the year when my finger got in the way of some of the pipes coming together.

The control center mausoleum is in dire need of a facelift - as well as a more convenient access. To date the lid lifted off, requiring a ladder to climb up and down into it to do any setup. That will change as I refit the sides and attach a permanent water-tight top - and add an opening in the back. 

First step was to knock off the rotted sides and back and chase away all the spiders that had moved in. I'm going to let it "air out" for a few days (and make sure all the tenants have vacated) before I move it inside for its refit:

The front is salvageable; it needs stripping and re-painting but it's stood up well and I still like the look. The frame was built to last another 20 years.

The dryer pipe you see in the picture is attached to a vent at the front/bottom where we route fog from the fog-chilling trash can mounted inside. We get a VERY satisfying and creepy ground-hugging fog from it.

Mining:
 
The BIG project this year is the doubled-in-size Mine Shaft and I REALLY needed to get that started. Besides, seeing even the start of that structure every day when I look out back will serve as motivation and a reminder to get things going.

Fist step was just to get the general layout setup. I still need to order a bunch of additional pipes, fittings, and tarps so I couldn't finish it yet if I wanted; but getting the layout done also helps me work out final details for the other areas in the back. Also since all of the passages in the Mine Shaft will be narrower and a different layout this year I'll need to both cut lots of new parts - as well as trim most of the lumber "supports" we used last year. The sooner I have all the supports in place, the sooner I can start on those as well.

Here's the beginnings of the layout. 10x20 last year - 20x20 this year.