Step Construction Day 4 - The End is Near!

Day 4 and we are two steps from completion! Over 7 hours spent today installing 14 steps.

Day 4 and Mark Seder with Allison & Rodney Pearson started off getting all the lumber cut and drilled at our secret Walland fabrication location. Then off to the TRWA to start installing steps. We had planned on getting 12 steps installed but ended up with installing 14!!! It was a long but fruitful day with only 2 steps to complete the first phase of this project. Mark and Rodney struggled through a lot of stubborn rocks to set the steps and Allison did a great job of creating water diverters, cleaning up each side of the steps and adding the first layer of fill to each step.

We are planning on finishing on December 31st!

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.

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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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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Mark Seder installed the first 2 steps. 4 foot wide and 4 foot deep.
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The new stairs have already made a difference and replaced one of the aging railroad ties.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Rodney and Allison Pearson making some major step progress.
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Nothing is ever as easy as you hope consider, the "rock" in a "hard place" .
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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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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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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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Day 3, 14 steps installed, whew!
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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.
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.
Rodney checking out the steps and looking for any possible issues. Allison did a great job of fixing each side of the steps.
From the top. 28 steps with a great view of The Little River. 2 more steps to go.
Digging in to place the final step on 2021.12.31.
All ready for the final step to be placed.
Mark & Rodney installing the final step.
Looking good, level and square, the last step that is!
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.
A Time to Celebrate! Rodney, Allison and Mark after some of the toughest work done on the TRWA to-date.
Talking over the last 3 weeks of the step installation and planning the railing for the steps to be done in the Spring.
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.
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.
The tablesaw master at work. Perfect rail cutting.
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Notching out the posts to fit the steps.
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The railing posts were constantly checked for level.
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Putting a little weight behind some minor adjustments.
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Installation of the last railing post.
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Securing a long rail.
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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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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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Railing installed and bench installed.
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Final steps and railing completed.
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Steps and Railing Completed on March 10, 2022 by Mark Seder, Allison Pearson and Rodney Pearson!
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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.

The old steps. Kind of steep but have served their purpose well.

You can get a sense of the slope of the old stairs. The new ones will provide a level place to step.

Mark Seder installed the first 2 steps. 4 foot wide and 4 foot deep.

The new stairs have already made a difference and replaced one of the aging railroad ties.

Rodney Pearson (left) and Mark Seder, always right. Installing the first 18 in. deep step that will start a gradual curve.

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.

Allison Pearson inspecting the first 18 in. deep step and trying out the new stairs.

The first 3 stairs complete.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rodney and Allison Pearson making some major step progress.

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

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.

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.

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.

Day 3, 14 steps installed, whew!

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.

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.

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

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

Digging in to place the final step on 2021.12.31.

All ready for the final step to be placed.

Mark & Rodney installing the final step.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.