A Week at Home with Backyard Construction

The end of July was marked by the start of a big project at home. A Bobcat excavator arrived and began tearing up the backyard, turning it into a construction zone. The constant noise and piles of dirt quickly became the new normal for the week.

Inside, life went on. The dogs were mostly unfazed by the commotion, though we did find a new source of entertainment: a miniature San Diego Padres helmet that happened to be the perfect size for one of them. He was a patient model while sitting on the kitchen counter.

As the days went on, the hole in the yard grew deeper. Wooden forms were built around the perimeter, and eventually, a complex grid of rebar was installed, finally giving the excavation the distinct shape of a swimming pool. Seeing the framework made the whole disruptive process feel a bit more real.

After a few days of dust and machinery, we took a drive downtown for a change of scenery. It was a bright, clear day in the Gaslamp Quarter, with the tall buildings and palm trees providing a stark contrast to the state of our backyard.