Our driveway, six years in the making

[dustinjean]

im jealous! mostly because i want a ski lift taking me to my boat, cant wait to see pictures of that finished up

 

[Bruce]

@Bruce @Julian If you put in a water slide, that will go on my bucket list of things to do! That would be such a big rush!!!

I am not saying no but it is not in the 2015 to 2016 plans. Unfortunately the ground is too rocky for a large slip and slide so it will have to be an elevated structure.

 

[Scottintexas]

WATER SLIDE, WATER SLIDE, WATER SLIDE !!!

 

[woodard1983]

That place is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats and good luck w/the upcoming projects!!!!!

 

[txav8r]

OMG! That is a bunch of cement!!! Nice place and your going to have plenty of excuses for being busy! Thanks for sharing it with us! Dang @Bruce , your giving me ideas!

 

[Julian]

Unfortunately the ground is too rocky for a large slip and slide so it will have to be an elevated structure.

Did you see the mythbusters slide they made? I think they used some sort of felt and foam under basic plastic to make it....you'd only have to eliminate the big rocks then....and it sure looks like you have the equipment to dig up rocks!!!! LOL

Gotta love it having 1000 people suggesting ways for you to spend your money!!!!

That lift looks really cool though! Curious why you went with the ski lift approach verses rails and a "train car"....

 

[Bruce]

Curious why you went with the ski lift approach verses rails and a "train car"....

The first round of "lake access" planning was in 2009. At that time, with help of some engineer friends, I worked out plans to build a train style tram system or wooden stairs. The stair option was determined to be too expensive for their limited benefit. It was determined that I would need a dual tracked, dual car tram to support the passenger rates that I desired and that I would need to use very large iron to support the suspended track.

I also obtained bids from companies building trams in my area. They wanted $40K to $50K for a tram that would move 4 people and take around 5 minutes to go up or down. So if I had 5 people going to or from the dock it would take 12 to 16 minutes to get them there. With 9 people it would take 20 to 24 minutes. The speed and the cost were unacceptable to me.

The chair lift design will be less expensive than the commercial tram offerings and move passengers three times as quickly. I also feel that it offers some safety advantages. I have attached some early drawings and measurements.

 

[Kevin M]

Mel could land his jet on that runway! Holy smokes what a gorgeous piece of property!

 

[txav8r]

I think you need an ultralight or gyroplane, you have the strip already! I don't think I can get mine in there!

 

[Gym]

@Bruce Looks to be perfect for an awesome 90' high water slide!!!!

A zip line would be cheaper.

 

[Topper232]

What an awesome place to call home!

Enjoy

 

[maboat]

Thats awesome man! I'm so jealous.

Looks like maybe a good place for JBN gathering 2016

 

[scot71]

You guys did an awesome job and that is an absolutely gorgeous view. I am very jealous.

 

[Big Shasta]

The first round of "lake access" planning was in 2009. At that time, with help of some engineer friends, I worked out plans to build a train style tram system or wooden stairs. The stair option was determined to be too expensive for their limited benefit. It was determined that I would need a dual tracked, dual car tram to support the passenger rates that I desired and that I would need to use very large iron to support the suspended track.

I also obtained bids from companies building trams in my area. They wanted $40K to $50K for a tram that would move 4 people and take around 5 minutes to go up or down. So if I had 5 people going to or from the dock it would take 12 to 16 minutes to get them there. With 9 people it would take 20 to 24 minutes. The speed and the cost were unacceptable to me.

The chair lift design will be less expensive than the commercial tram offerings and move passengers three times as quickly. I also feel that it offers some safety advantages. I have attached some early drawings and measurements.

Awesome, I never would have imagined a personal home system like this. You could certainly put some of the engineers I work with to shame. It's pathetic the lack of imagination/creativity/design ability/motivation they have....oh wait, I work with the DOD, it comes with the territory.

Another vote for an awesome slide. "see you at the bottom Dad" WOOSH.....OW MY ARM...rub some dirt on it son, you'll be fine.... Can I go again Dad?

 

[scot71]

Here's an example for ya.

 

[txav8r]

I think you need the zip line too! Zip for going down, chair for going up! But that zip line will have to have counter balance...that will be one steep zip!

 

[txav8r]

That slip and slide @scot71 posted is great except for a few things...not enough mil thickness in the plastic, too abrupt of a kick up at the bottom, and I see all kinds of risky framing that would be pretty bad if you hit it by accident. I know my back couldn't take that abrupt kick at the bottom. It needs a more gradual radius to it!

 

[Jim Robeson]

Man, I don't know @Bruce ... I think I spotted a crack in that driveway, you might want to consider starting over or if you want 3M makes concrete repair kits!! By the way...WOW, what a place!!

 

[beachbum]

@Rana even helped out

View attachment 14125

The photo looks like there is a Mini me (your child) on the arms of the tractor Rana is operating... had to look twice

Beautiful spot and wow... you guys know how to make it work... Enjoy lakeside.

 

[Bruce]

The photo looks like there is a Mini me (your child) on the arms of the tractor Rana is operating... had to look twice

That is funny. I had not noticed. It is Emma on my shoulders.