Pool Installation Photos

	File Photo: Outback Empire Above Ground Pool
	Actual Photo: Empire Pool at former location

I bought a 33 foot above ground pool from a co-worker. I decided that instead of renting a "Bobcat" and getting a health club membership I could save the money and do the digging myself. That was around the end of September... When it gets wet, I go ahead and flood it with the hose to check for high spots.

Half way done - just before Christmas

Three-fourths done - a week after Christmas. It went fast because it was the 'shallow' end.

January 17th, 2004 Working into the last 'quarter'. The whole '3rd' quarter needs a bit of trimming down.

Feb 01, 2004 Some night shots - when I have to work mostly. About 4 1/2 "rows" left. My row is about two two shovel blades wide.

Feb 07, 2004 Removed the top layer of the last 4 1/2 "rows" left. All sod gone!

Feb 08, 2004 Removed all the dirt I broke up on Saturday. The photo on the right shows the brick 'well' around the tree to keep it from dying.

Feb 14, 2004 Photo on the left is the 'dam' used to allow flood checking. These are the first photos since completion of major digging. Only the 'island' remains. After I shot these I went and dug some on the dry areas.

Feb 21, 2004 Yes, these photos are mostly for me. I'm using them to check for 'level'... Sorry if they're boring. You can sort of tell that the channel in the middle (See Jan 17 photos) is filled in now.

Feb 26, 2004 Flooded after a rain so the photo might tend to be somewhat optomistic, but I really am close now. I'm thinking about some thin concrete to prevent erosion of the walls down onto the pool.

Look at this photo. It's got some ugly spots, but overall it's nearly flat.

Mar 24, 2004 Sand. Lots of Sand.

April 19, 2004 Madisonhenge - All the 'pavers' are sunk flush with the ground.

I've put bricks on the pavers to help me see how deep the water is where they are

April 20, 2004 More level checking, only leveling outer 12 inches.

Nearly done - only need to be within one inch all the way around.

May 02, 2004 I moved the sand this weekend.

All 16000 pounds of it.

May 08, 2004 It was myself, my two kids, a friend and three of the nextdoor neighbors. It took about 2 hours to get done.

Bungee cords supporting on the outside! To prevent wind damage before filling.

May 08, 2004 It was over 90 degrees. Like a desert in there!

Detail of base plate and rail in footing area.

May 08, 2004 The 'footer' stones will be filled around with dirt to make the area flat again.

May 15, 2004 Liner installed. Water being added.

Doing some adjusting while it's shallow. These photos taken by Lucas.

May 15, 2004 Have to adjust the sides after the water gets a little deeper.

Well, it's only fair I got to go first, don't you think?

May 17, 2004 Knee deep in the Hoopla.

Kneecaps are installed but not fastened.

May 17, 2004 All done but the skimmer and filter.

May 22, 2004 Lucas in the pool

May 22, 2004 All done!!!

What's left: Swim!

Well, actually I need to attach the ladder to the pool with bolts. And I really ought to run some power out to the shed to power the pump. And Lucas has designs on that old ladder from the swingset! But that would require a deck, and that's another story!

Pool damage and reconstruction
After four years of use, apparent over-chlorination caused the liner to become brittle.
	April 2008 Pool liner crack
	By the first week of May 2008 Pool liner crack

Short segment at the beginning showing the pool liner damage.

Video of the pool after the liner was removed.

Pool SOLD!
I decided to sell the pool before I cut the liner to get the most money back.
	The last week of May 2009 Pool gone all but the ladder and walls. A piece of the old liner was used to secure the metal wall in a roll!
	The dogs resting in the shade!
	The dogs are like "Wow. Where did all this sand come from? And where's the pool?

Operation "FILLING IN THE HOLE" commences
Or "Goodbye old hill, old pal"
	July 02, 2009 First I moved the sand out of the way. I want to use it for leveling.
	I still have my wheelbarrow and shovels

Two weeks into "FILLING IN THE HOLE"
Or "Why was it again I didn't rent the Bobcat?"
	July 17, 2009 I'm basically 2/3 of the way done here. This is 'manditory' Friday off day.
	I think I'll have enough sand to level the yard.
	I used string to find a straight path across the hole. The water level won't work this time, the ground tilts.
	"Wedding cake hill"

Worked all day Saturday too!
	July 18, 2009 The top of the hill is gone.
	I've got more sand on top and another big pie wedge
	This is the deep part too. I could be done in another week, God willing!
	September: Fast-forward past getting married, loosing my job and going to Arizona for a week.