Step Construction Day 3 - Between a Rock and a Hard Place

The Proverbial "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" at the TRWA Step Building Day 3

The lumber was cut and drilled and we started installation of the TRWA steps on Day 3. After easily installing the first 5 of 14 steps, the rock that is probably to the center of the earth stood directly in the line of the steps. What to do? Try to go around it, shorten the step depth to 12 in., or just pack it all in and go home. Rodney Pearson and Mark Seder discussed the situation, when Rodney got one of the cartoon exclamation points above his head. He on the perfect solution: make the long flat step we had just finished 3 ft. deep instead of 4 ft.and then make the next set of steps 15 in. deep. Lo and behold the last step sit perfectly on the rock side and allowed us to move forward over the rock. This is true engineering as you go. The goal of this project is to make level steps and go with the contour of the path, making the steps blend in with the surroundings.

Stop by and check out the work. We are now hoping to finish the steps next week and then we will work on the rope railing.

If you would like to help offset the costs of materials for building these stairs, you can DONATE HERE!

The construction of the steps on the South end of the Arboretum in chronological order.

Putting a little weight behind some minor adjustments.
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The railing posts were constantly checked for level.
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Installation of the last railing post.
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Rodney and Mark got the railing installation down pat and completed all the railing installation in under 3 hours.
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Lots of attention went in to securing the railing correctly with little give.
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The tablesaw master at work. Perfect rail cutting.
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Securing a long rail.
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Bench is made from logs dating back to the 1800's. Thank you Rodney Pearson for this special addition to the TRWA.
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Notching out the posts to fit the steps.
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A before and after of the South entrance of the TRWA. Mark Seder, Allison Pearson and Rodney Pearson worked on this starting the end of December 2021 and completed the railing installation on March 10, 2022.
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Steps and Railing Completed on March 10, 2022 by Mark Seder, Allison Pearson and Rodney Pearson!
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Final steps and railing completed.
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Railing installed and bench installed.
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A panorama of the all 63 feet of the steps. Thanks to Mark Seder and Rodney & Allison Pearson for their hard work and having completed installing the steps on New Years Eve 2021.
Talking over the last 3 weeks of the step installation and planning the railing for the steps to be done in the Spring.
A Time to Celebrate! Rodney, Allison and Mark after some of the toughest work done on the TRWA to-date.
Completed steps from the bottom. The graceful curve in the steps was hand eyed by Rodney and Mark. Turned out great.
Steps from the top. 30 steps all level and ready for use.
Favorite steps view with The Little River running parallel. It is quite a sight in the winter.
Steps Completed and Allison putting the finishing layer of Tennessee crushed river rock.
Rodney hand carrying some of the 1800 lbs of Tennessee crushed river rock.
Steps are completed and time to celebrate.
All ready for the final step to be placed.
Digging in to place the final step on 2021.12.31.
Looking good, level and square, the last step that is!
Mark & Rodney installing the final step.
Rodney checking out the steps and looking for any possible issues. Allison did a great job of fixing each side of the steps.
Rodney and Allison check the 28 stairs that have been installed. After 7 hours of step installation. It was great to look back on our work.
From the top. 28 steps with a great view of The Little River. 2 more steps to go.
At about stair step 25. On this day we completed 14 additional stairs bring the total so far to 28 steps! Two to go!
Trying to stay as contoured to the slope as possible, Mark and Rodney are digging in deep and hoping to avoid large rocks.
Almost to the top. Although the traffic noise from 321 can be annoying, it was sweet music to our ears as we finally were getting nearer the finish.
Nothing is ever as easy as you hope consider, the "rock" in a "hard place" .
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Allison was taking care of some invasive honeysuckle on the steep hillside next to the steps. Mad a huge difference in the view of the Little River.
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Day 3, 14 steps installed, whew!
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Rodney and Allison Pearson making some major step progress.
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Allison and Rodney Pearson after a hard days work. These steps make a great place to sit and watch the Little River.
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14 Steps installed by the 3rd day. More than half way up the slope. Only 12 more to complete!
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The steps hug the contour of the walk and with great views of the Little River now that Allison Pearson has starting clearing the invasives from the hillside to the river.
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The solution for "between a rock and a hard place" Using our "by the seat of the pants" engineering skills, we made these steps 15 in. deep instead of 18 in. and made the lower pad 3 ft. instead of 4. The step rests perfectly on the rock.
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On the third day the first few steps were a breeze to install. All the lumber was cut and drilled, just a little digging, leveling and bit of figuring.
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Our first go at working thru the rock dilemma.
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Mark Seder and Rodney Pearson discuss the rock dilemma and whether or not to quit and go home. Rodney came up with the perfect solution.
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Rodney Pearson and Mark Seder working on the step installation thinking that this is easy peasy. Little did they know the rock attached to the center of the earth was waiting.
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Stair fabricating taking place at our secret facility in the mountains of Walland.
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Stairs cut and drilled and ready to be placed at the TRWA.
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Mark and Rodney wondering what they got themselves into.
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Using the most modern techniques to determine the rise of the stairs. Mark's eagle eye determined it is a 12 - 15 ft rise. Rodney just rolls his eyes.
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Allison Pearson inspecting the first 18 in. deep step and trying out the new stairs.
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The first 3 stairs complete.
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Rodney Pearson (left) and Mark Seder, always right. Installing the first 18 in. deep step that will start a gradual curve.
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The old steps. Kind of steep but have served their purpose well.
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You can get a sense of the slope of the old stairs. The new ones will provide a level place to step.
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The new stairs have already made a difference and replaced one of the aging railroad ties.
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Mark Seder installed the first 2 steps. 4 foot wide and 4 foot deep.
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Putting a little weight behind some minor adjustments.

The railing posts were constantly checked for level.

Installation of the last railing post.

Rodney and Mark got the railing installation down pat and completed all the railing installation in under 3 hours.

Lots of attention went in to securing the railing correctly with little give.

The tablesaw master at work. Perfect rail cutting.

Securing a long rail.

Bench is made from logs dating back to the 1800's. Thank you Rodney Pearson for this special addition to the TRWA.

Notching out the posts to fit the steps.

A before and after of the South entrance of the TRWA. Mark Seder, Allison Pearson and Rodney Pearson worked on this starting the end of December 2021 and completed the railing installation on March 10, 2022.

Steps and Railing Completed on March 10, 2022 by Mark Seder, Allison Pearson and Rodney Pearson!

Final steps and railing completed.

Railing installed and bench installed.

A panorama of the all 63 feet of the steps. Thanks to Mark Seder and Rodney & Allison Pearson for their hard work and having completed installing the steps on New Years Eve 2021.

Talking over the last 3 weeks of the step installation and planning the railing for the steps to be done in the Spring.

A Time to Celebrate! Rodney, Allison and Mark after some of the toughest work done on the TRWA to-date.

Completed steps from the bottom. The graceful curve in the steps was hand eyed by Rodney and Mark. Turned out great.

Steps from the top. 30 steps all level and ready for use.

Favorite steps view with The Little River running parallel. It is quite a sight in the winter.

Steps Completed and Allison putting the finishing layer of Tennessee crushed river rock.

Rodney hand carrying some of the 1800 lbs of Tennessee crushed river rock.

Steps are completed and time to celebrate.

All ready for the final step to be placed.

Digging in to place the final step on 2021.12.31.

Looking good, level and square, the last step that is!

Mark & Rodney installing the final step.

Rodney checking out the steps and looking for any possible issues. Allison did a great job of fixing each side of the steps.

Rodney and Allison check the 28 stairs that have been installed. After 7 hours of step installation. It was great to look back on our work.

From the top. 28 steps with a great view of The Little River. 2 more steps to go.

At about stair step 25. On this day we completed 14 additional stairs bring the total so far to 28 steps! Two to go!

Trying to stay as contoured to the slope as possible, Mark and Rodney are digging in deep and hoping to avoid large rocks.

Almost to the top. Although the traffic noise from 321 can be annoying, it was sweet music to our ears as we finally were getting nearer the finish.

Nothing is ever as easy as you hope consider, the "rock" in a "hard place" .

Allison was taking care of some invasive honeysuckle on the steep hillside next to the steps. Mad a huge difference in the view of the Little River.

Day 3, 14 steps installed, whew!

Rodney and Allison Pearson making some major step progress.

Allison and Rodney Pearson after a hard days work. These steps make a great place to sit and watch the Little River.

14 Steps installed by the 3rd day. More than half way up the slope. Only 12 more to complete!

The steps hug the contour of the walk and with great views of the Little River now that Allison Pearson has starting clearing the invasives from the hillside to the river.

The solution for "between a rock and a hard place" Using our "by the seat of the pants" engineering skills, we made these steps 15 in. deep instead of 18 in. and made the lower pad 3 ft. instead of 4. The step rests perfectly on the rock.

On the third day the first few steps were a breeze to install. All the lumber was cut and drilled, just a little digging, leveling and bit of figuring.

Our first go at working thru the rock dilemma.

Mark Seder and Rodney Pearson discuss the rock dilemma and whether or not to quit and go home. Rodney came up with the perfect solution.

Rodney Pearson and Mark Seder working on the step installation thinking that this is easy peasy. Little did they know the rock attached to the center of the earth was waiting.

Stair fabricating taking place at our secret facility in the mountains of Walland.

Stairs cut and drilled and ready to be placed at the TRWA.

Mark and Rodney wondering what they got themselves into.

Using the most modern techniques to determine the rise of the stairs. Mark's eagle eye determined it is a 12 - 15 ft rise. Rodney just rolls his eyes.