Inspection and phones

Report and photo by Dennis Casebier

Inspector Steve Given was on site today with general contractor Dan Cordova developing a list of final items needing to be done before finalization.

The phone rang just now in the Casebier house. It was Phil Motz calling from the Library Depot! Then he called back on our second (fax) line! So the Library/Depot is in communications with the rest of the planet! All thanks to very hard and hot work by Mr. Motz with a little help at times.

Odds and ends

Report by Dennis Casebier

General Contractor Dan Cordova and two of his crew arrived at about 7:00 AM this morning. They are working on Library/Depot odds and ends. Finishing up!

Here are some upcoming activities;

• Tomorrow 9 July the safety glass will be put into three upstairs windows as required.
  
• Thursday we are scheduled to have the final inspection on the building (we have a bottle of champagne chilling in the frige.
  
• Next Tuesday the HVAC guys will be out and fire up the air conditioning systems.
  
• That leaves the one door that needs to get painted green. Dan said Brandon & Co will be out to do that.

It is 110 degrees out there on our front porch at noon. Phil Motz is out in the heat working on the electrical for the water system.

Ditch dug for the phone lines

Report and photos by Dennis Casebier

Much hard work has been accomplished over the past few days in getting the phone lines to the new building. It wasn't until mid-week that we were able to settle with Dan Cordova on a point to bring the phone lines into the building.

In order to accomplish it we had to dig a ditch a little over 200 feet long to carry the line from the Power House to the northwest side of the building where the line will enter. But the job is done and Phil will now be able to get the phones through into the building before he leaves on the 17th.

I say the job is done but it isn't exactly. We still have to string the line from the Power House to the power pole near Lanfair Road. Phil and I can do that.

This important and difficult work has been accomplished over a holiday weekend in intense heat - by Phil Motz, Hugh Brown, and myself. It was very hot working out there on that ditch!

Baseboards and clean-up

Report by Dennis Casebier

Dan Cordova and two of his guys showed up at about 8:00 AM. They will be putting in the baseboards and cleaning in and around the building. He figures they likely won't get done today and will be back tomorrow.

One of the on-demand water heaters in the Lounge/restroom isn't working. The plumber will be coming out next week to replace it.

Phil has procured all the materials he needs to complete the phoneline to the Library/Depot.

Finishing touches on the water system

Report by Dennis Casebier

There have been no workers here yet this week. Dan Cordova and crew are expected to be here as early as tomorrow to put in door closers, base boards, and maybe an illuminated address sign.

Phil Motz has been busy working with the water system. Both the north and south systems are on line and we are using water out of both. Also he obtained materials in town yesterday to put in lights in the Power House and the new north Pump House. Lights are designed to come on when Deep Well #2 pump is on and when the booster pumps in the north Pump House are on.

Phil has also picked up ceiling fans which he will install in the new building.

It's very hot in Goffs today and along the Colorado River Valley.

Phone lines installed

Report by Dennis Casebier

Two AT&T trucks with cherry pickers arrived at a little after 9:00 AM to run our phone lines to the west side of Lanfair Road. Phil is out there with them. It's not cold out but there is a very strong wind blowing, mostly out of the west.

Interior walls are textured

Report by Dennis Casebier
Photos by Dennis Casebier and Chris Ervin

The "mudders" were here fairly early this morning. They've had their special mixer machine chugging away over there all day. Right now it is quiet. That's because they've finished! The mudding and texturing is done and they are now cleaning up. They won't be back tomorrow.

Also today Phil Motz and Gus Lind worked on the water system with the result that the new well and associated pressure tank are now on line. There is water pressure down to the edge of the Library/Depot. All Mr. Cordova will have to do to put water in the building is turn one valve at the edge of the building.

With the drywall and mudding done that means the interior of the building will be ready for painting. After the painting the electrical fixtures can be put on. After that flooring can be put down. We're rolling along!

The wind we had over the weekend has continued, although today it is somewhat diminished. The temperatures have continued warm.

Ready to fight a fire!

Report and photos by Dennis Casebier

The drywallers were here through some time today. Phil informs me they didn't quite finish and they plan to come back tomorrow.

The hydrant for the Library fire protection system was completed before noon today and water flowed! Phil Motz came over the FRS announcing that the two 5,000 gallon tanks were approaching "full." He called a gathering at the hydrant at 6:15 PM for anyone interested.

There was a ceremonial opening of the valve with the tanks pretty much full to see how far the hydrant would fling water -- proving once again we'll grasp most any opportunity to have a celebration out here! It threw water seven feet from the hydrant under the force of gravity alone.

Gus and Stella Lind, Kristy and Phil Motz, and Mark Wire wrestled the water project to completion this morning. Congratulations and thanks to all who helped with this over the past several weeks.

Water line dug

Report and photos by Dennis Casebier

Lots going on at Goffs today. We closed the day yesterday with a terrific wind. By this morning it had died out. But not for long. It started up again mid-morning and here at mid-afternoon it is a strong wind again.

General Contractor Dan Cordova and two of his guys were here this morning early. They had intended to put thresholds down at the doors. They did some of the prep work but that's about it.

The bad news is that Dan discovered pretty serious damage to a couple of the doors. They were left open, a strong wind caught them, and the result is split wood on the frames. Dan is assessing the damage and what it will take to fix it.

Building Inspector Steve Given was here this morning. He inspected the insulation job and the septic system. We passed in both categories.

As I write this Gus and Phil are out there digging the ditch for the water line that will connect the two 5,000 gallon water tanks with a hydrant required by the County Fire Department. Gus Lind and I will be going into Fort Mojave tomorrow morning to pick up the six inch water pipe. It will take another day to bury the pipe and make the necessary connections to be fully up to speed on this.

Gus Lind was at the controls of the Greening Tractor digging the water line ditch. Gail Andress is off for a couple of days on sick leave, but you can't hold him down long.

The drywall for the interior of the entire Library/Depot building was delivered this morning. It was off-loaded by hand into the rooms where it'll be needed. I believe the dry-wallers may be here to begin their work as early as tomorrow.

Stairway to second floor finished

Report and photo by Dennis Casebier

General Contractor Cordova with two men spent the day here. They were taking care of some odds and ends. The most significant task was to finish off the staircase on the steps to the second floor of the Depot. They did that and it looks very nice.

Also today Phil Motz and Gus and Stella Lind strung wire to some ceiling fan positions in the new building that had not been on the original plans and hence had not been put in place.

Perhaps most importantly, we finalized the plans today for that portion of the water system that will provide water for fire fighting around the new building. Now it will be only a matter of several days and we'll have that system in.

Ready to go

Report by Dennis Casebier
Photos by Dennis Casebier and Roger Mitchell

Today, the "A" Team, consisting of Phil Motz (in charge), Gail Andress, Gus & Stella Lind, and Morris Swain assembled on the west side of the Library/Depot with all the materials in hand to install the septic system that will support the new facility.

At the controls of the Jack & June Greening Tractor, Gail Andress did the digging, with shovel accompaniment provided by the Linds and Morris Swain.

With the big hole dug, Gail lowered the new 1,000 gallon septic tank into the hole.

Meanwhile, the crew had the sewer line ready to connect from the building.

Gail then dug the ditch for the 50-foot leach line and dumped the required amount of leach rock in the bottom. The leach line was laid on the rock and more rock placed on top of that -- according to code.

The job will be finished tomorrow by laying newspaper on top of the rock on top of the leach line. Then the whole thing will be covered with dirt.

While the leach line was being laid the new septic tank was filled with water. Next thing you know, we'll be almost "ready to go," so to speak.

Electrical wiring has been pulled

Report and photos by Dennis Casebier

Sacrifices in the face of adversity are becoming commonplace around here.

By the terms of our agreement for construction of the Library/Depot, we are required to run an adequate power line up into the new structure. After that, General Contractor Cordova is responsible for electrifying the building.

As those of you who are following this project know, we arranged with Southern California Edison for a 400 amp service for the new building. This was accomplished last year through a major effort on the part of our own director-electrician Phil Motz and the assistance of several other volunteers. The 400 amp service was brought in and is at the ready in a new Power House that was constructed by our volunteers.

The immediate remaining challenge was to get that power conveyed underground from the Power House some 200+ feet to the Library/Depot building. This past week Gail Andress came over from Nelson, Nevada and used our backhoe to dig a ditch for the required 2" conduit line. Phil Motz and others laid the conduit and then the ditch was covered.

The final task was to get three strands of "000" power line and a smaller ground line through the conduit. Phil laid his plans carefully for this but got skunked by the severe weather Thursday and Friday of this past week. It was just too cold and windy. Not only that, but we are up against a time schedule because Phil is poised to return to Indiana this coming week.

So, taking advantage of a bit of softening in the temperature and wind, Phil and his crew tackled the job today. In addition to Phil, his team consisted of; Gus Lind, Morris Swain, Dorothy Beal, Bob Beal, and Hugh Brown. Working aginst difficult odds and adverse weather the job was accomplished today.

If you go out there to the new Library/Depot building, you'll see the wires coming out into the building right where they are supposed to be. Then, walk a couple of hundred feet to the Power House, where the 400 amps are just waiting to be put to work, there's the other end of the wires.

Much credit goes to this crew and especially Phil who designed the whole thing, procured the conduit and wire, and organized and supervised the team that saw it through. The wire was laid in the best spirit of the Friends of the Mojave Road and the Mojave Desert Heritage & Cultural Association at no cost to the MDHCA except possibly for the materials.

The job is done. That's the bottom line. There'll be no holdup now. The subcontractor in charge of electricals can step right up and finish the job and electrify the building at the appropriate time in the construction cycle.

Three cheers for Phil Motz and his wire pullers!

Slow progress in the face of the wind

Report by Dennis Casebier

The day looked promising at 6:30 AM when I went out on the front porch. The temperature was 32 degrees and no wind.

Cordova and his crew showed up at about 7:00 AM and I figured they would be able to finish the detail on the rafters over the second story of the Depot and get the layer of sheeting on it. It didn't work out that way.

Within an hour the wind began to come up and pretty soon it was a strong wind -- a regular old winter gale out of the northeast. And it blew all day.

The framers were out there in the rafters working on details but understandably there was no attempt to handle sheets of plywood in that wind. The result is that the sheeting didn't get put up. The crew knocked off early and were gone for the weekend before 2:00 PM. It was just too cold and windy.

Likewise, Phil Motz had a crew all lined up to pull wire through the conduit from the Library/Depot to the power shed. But it was too cold and windy for that also. Hopefully the weather will be more cooperative tomorrow and Phil can get the wire pulled.

Of course we won't see Cordova & Co. now until Monday. Under the circumstances I feel they are making good progress.

Electrical conduit trench completed to Library

Report and photos by Dennis Casebier

This has been quite a day. The weather was bitter cold all day with a strong wind out of the northeast. Everyone out there was bundled up and still had to brave the cold.

Messrs. Cordova & Co. started work on time, but they knocked off at about noon as it was considered unsafe to work on the rafters in the wind and cold.

In spite of the weather, Gail Andress showed up on time and spent much of the day digging the trench for the electrical conduit that will carry power to the new Library/Depot. Phil Motz was out there directing the effort with Bob Beal and Morris Swain assisting.

The ditch was dug, the conduit laid, and the ditch covered back up. It is planned that Phil, assisted by Gus Lind, will be stringing the wire through the conduit tomorrow.

Meanwhile, this morning a delivery truck brought more materials, including the corrugated siding for the sides of the Freight House, lumber for trim, and other supplies.

Two San Bernardino County building inspectors were at the construction site early this morning for the "nail/shear" inspection. They checked the construction over carefully and we passed with flying colors.

This project is moving forward rapidly and appearances are it'll continue that way.

Colors picked for the exterior

Report and photos by Dennis Casebier

Today was nice weather-wise and a productive day for Cordova & Co. The arrival of the Genie "lift" gave everyone a boost. It made for lots of good photos, too.

A highlight of the day was selection of colors for the exterior of the building. A committee consisting of Carol and Hugh Brown, Phil Motz, Dennis and Jo Ann Casebier, and anyone that happened to be standing around, made the selections.

The colors selected were picked to represent the old Santa Fe yellow with green trim. The final selections are YUMA GOLD and LUCKY CLOVER GREEN.
Mr. Cordova ordered the paint today. He'll be painting some portions of the building as early as next week.

Tomorrow, master backhoe operator Gail Andress, direct from Nelson, Nevada, will be digging the trench for the electrical conduit that will carry power from the new Power House to the Library Depot. This will be done under the direct supervision of head electrician Phil Motz with Dennis Casebier providing overall supervision and foreign policy.

Second story walls framed

Report and photos by Dennis Casebier

All four walls of the second story room of the Depot got framed today.

The Cordova Crew showed up at 7:00 AM. It was a cool 44 degrees on the front porch with a pretty stiff wind out of the northeast. The framers pounded away out there on the roof of the Depot end of the structure.

Mr. Cordova hopes to have the rafters up tomorrow and the plywood sheeting over the rafters by the end of the week. He may call for a "nail-shear" inspection this Wednesday, that being the day of the week inspectors come out here.

Phil Motz went to Mohave Valley with his little trailer today to pick up the conduit and other supplies (including wire) that will be needed to run electricity from our newly constructed Power House to the Library/Depot. Gail Andress is coming on Wednesday to dig the trench for the electrical line. Phil has hopes of having the conduit in place before he leaves one week from today.

The skyline is changing in Goffs

Report and photos by Dennis Casebier

General Contractor Dan Cordova and a crew of six were here all day today working on the Library/Depot. They took care of a bunch of miscellaneous chores, but the main thrust was to put in the ceiling joists in the Freight House. They got all the ceiling joists in and more than one-third of the rafters.

The day was overcast and cold but not windy. More of the same weather is expected tomorrow when the crew will be back, but hopefully the threatened storm will let them finish out the week before breaking here.

The skyline is changing in Goffs.

Directors Phil Motz and Jo Ann Casebier check construction progress against the plans.

Let There Be Light

Report by Dennis Casebier

Eureka! Southern California Edison came out and energized the 400-amp panel in our new Power House. That part of the job is done; the power is there for the new Library/Depot.

Many hands touched this project; it was genuinely a result of teamwork that pushed it over the goal line. Phil Motz provided the leadership and Ron Shepard and John Harrington were on hand at all times to provide assistance. Others helped.

Also, Phil Motz and Ron Shepard laid a 2" water line between the new Pump House and Power House.

Electrical system for Library installed

Report by Dennis Casebier

Let me say with great admiration and appreciation that a crew under the supervision of Engineer Phil Motz, and consisting also of Ron Shepard and John Harrrington, has installed the heavy wiring that connects the new 400-amp power feed in the Power House to the Pump House that will power the new well.

It is hot, complicated, and heavy work and they have been out there in 100+ degree heat on several days in succession. As of this date, the job is completed and has been approved by the San Bernardino County Department of Building and Safety.

Engineer Motz has been given the highest grades for his work.

New electrical service planned

Report by Dennis Casebier

Robert Botich, an electrician by trade, traveled from Corona to Goffs and met with Dennis Casebier, Phil Motz, and John Harrington to review Southern California Edison (SCE) electrical specifications and to plan out acquisition of 400-amp meter and circuit panel.