Cisterns

Ever wonder what $10,000 looks like? Well, I've got your answer:

Three 2,000 gallon cisterns.

Space on either side of the 4" rigid foam insulation being filled with clay.

Tire Count

How many tires so far? 146. We are using fairly large tires so each one takes a while to get pounded. But, using larger tires means we will need less of them.

First course (size: 265): 48 tires so far
Second course (size: 265): 46 tires so far
Third course (size:245): 48 tires so far (more than second course because they are smaller)
Fourth course (size:235): 4 tires so far

Still need to extend the side wings a good amount, so no course is officially "done" yet.

Weeping Tile

The weeping tile and gravel is in. It goes along the first course of the back wall and out along the sides to help mitigate any water accumulation that might occur. Culverts have been placed in the second row of tires, and we're currently working on the third row of tires, extending the wing walls of the first and second course as we go. 

 

The join of the two lengths of porous pipes.

Some tire pounding and then more rain

Stephan (left), Tom (right), Scottie (taking picture)

It stopped raining long enough for things to dry out a bit, so the guys pounded 11 more tires along the second row. New volunteer Stephan has come to help out with the build and learn from our resident Earthship Academy friend Scottie. And now it's raining. Again. Should be dry by the weekend (cross your fingers!)

Rain days

It's been raining for the past few days and expected to rain some more this week off and on, so not too much is getting done. On the plus side, the cistern for the rabbitry is filling up fast!

Setting up the second course!

We've finished the three walls of the first course and are getting things set up for the second course. Still need to extend the first course out along the "wings" on either side. So far, the first course is only 41 tires (those big 265's are very common here; they take forever to pound but you need a lot fewer of them to do a row). The wings will probably add another 10 tires on each side.

Culverts have been placed and buried!

Annoying gaps on the second course need to be dealt with.

Finished camp shower

What's behind this corner?

 Not exactly "roughing it" anymore! The camp shower is complete.

Our electric water pump isn't strong enough to pump water out from our pond, so we need to use the gas pump to pump it into a big plastic barrel near the shower, and then we can use the electric one to run the shower itself. One bucket lasts for a half dozen showers give or take.

 Waterproof on/off switch. Turn water on, get wet, turn water off, soap up, turn water back on, rinse soap off.

Shower head hose attachment gives really good water pressure!