Working with a young and energetic crew is a lot of fun. They are often innovative in their methods of solving problems. Today's task for the boys was to wire up the tree Peter welded up over the last few days. The thing about trees is that the gnarlier, twistier and better looking they are, the harder they are to apply the metal diamond lath. This tree was one of the toughest I've seen by far. I tossed out the challenge and gave some brief instruction. Then they set to work.

The boys got a lot done while I was busy doing other jobs.As I looked over the work they had done I asked how they had managed to get into the tight areas. It turned out that TJ wiggled inside the tree trunk and tied the lath while the others pushed the mesh into the tight spots from the outside. It's unconventional but it got the job done and that's what counts. Marty grabbed this picture while they worked.

Elsewhere in the shop it became the wonderful world of color. The mountain topper got it's base coats as well as the lighthouse tower. Tomorrow it gets it's red stripes.

The lighthouse topper is already a little more colorful. Tomorrow it will become even more so.

Each day the shop is a whirlwind of energy and activity. I'm grateful for every moment of it. Thanks to my great crew!

-grampa dan