CDOT: Memorial page 6

T h e C o t o p a x i a n P r e s s

CDOT related news in Cotopaxi, Colorado. Region 2, Section 4, Patrol 60

Region 2 Memorial Project

Page 6

We set the rock!

First the bottom rock, then leveling it. This took quite some time.

Unfortunately, I was too busy to get some shots of the actual setting process. I think Robert Fonteno did, so perhaps I can borrow them someday.

We tried to use the bridge truck's boom to set the rock but it was too jerky. Right away we busted off one of the protruding brass stabilizing rods. I might have got a little tweaked about this time. lol. I drilled out the brass rod and regrouted in another brass rod. Back in business.

Thin set was used to "glue" the two stones together. As previously discussed, the brass rods protruding from the bottom of the top stone went into the holes (now filled with thin-set) in the bottom rock.

This time around, we used the big forklift. Thanks to mechanics Larry Team and John Eicholt for the assistance. They just showed up when needed and helped, like a lot of other guys on this project. This was no one man show. I had tons of help. Thanks guys.

We got it as level as possible. It seems the top rock was not sawn completely square. Perfect!

Good enough for government work!

March 25

Left, John Eicholt and Ferrin Wold confer.

Right, the back of the memorial stones.

Note the chain and boomer around the rock, and the lifting chain over the top. Sure glad it held.

I placed several support rows under the rock, locked in place with thin-set mortar.

You can see the leveling course I've begun to place underneath the tapered lower rock. I used thin-set to glue these rocks in place.

Chad Wright suggested that we put a sidewalk across the area for pedestrian access from the parking lot to the main HQ building.

Because, "Everybody just cuts across anyway."

He took it to the Boss for approval. Stella wanted a winding sidewalk. Chad designed a curved, functional sidewalk.

March 26 - Chad & Brian start forming up for a sidewalk.

March 26

March 27

Stella needed drip access for her fountains. After MUCH discussion, she decided where she wanted to place the fountains.

This was to the sides of the memorial, 45 degrees angle to the edges of the bottom stone's outer edges, three feet away.

I placed the lines accordingly. I also ran a drip line over to the entrance side of the HQ building, for an existing plant there.

Additionally, after consulting Ed Decker, CDOT electrician, we placed a piece of schedule 80 plastic pipe under the route of the sidewalk, for electricity to the fountains.

March 27

Above, the first plan for the tree added to the project. This shot taken at 7:39 PM, hence the shadows. Later we moved all these granite blocks and the tree location.

I felt that this put the tree too close to the memorial. If by chance something should live and grow in this soil, the roots might eventually become a problem. Note a couple of decorative rocks have been set. These are from rock fall areas on my home patrol based in Cotopaxi..

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