Fort Overkill

I wanted to reclaim the backyard for the last couple years.   It had become overgrown with unfinished projects, weeds and unkempt landscaping.    Well, all those problems still exist, but we have laid the foundation for reclaiming the backyard....it's Fort Overkill:

The Short History

Fort Overkill was originally going to be a lot smaller, but Costco, or more specifically a remarkably incompetent shipping company called Saia, blew off 4 scheduled delivery dates.   I had to cancel that order.    Then, in a fit of overly optimistic internet shopping, I ordered this kit from the Home Depot.   It was $200 bigger, and looked at least that much more fun.

The real shock came when it was finally delivered, and I realized it really had to be assembled.   I mean REALLY assembled, because there were a lot of parts.   Screws, slides, a steering wheel, 4x10's and a periscope, just for starters.    Still, the bulk of it only took about two full days (spread across 2 weeks), and it might have even been shorter if the rain didn't constantly interrupt.

Then it took another week, working around rain storms, to fill it in with mulch, and a couple weeks after that to stain and mount some boards on the bottom to build a sand box.   I might also try to make a canvas cover for the bottom in order to prevent cats from using the box for their own purposes.

The best comment so far came from Cindy, when she complimented me for the fact that I never once came into the house swearing about the work and/or difficulty.

The Long Future

Now I have to make the yard presentable.   This probably means paying someone to redo the deck and many lessons in landscaping for me.   The landscaping was started this last weekend, and, so far, it's coming together better than I expected.