Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park
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A work in progress(photo journal)
Short video of the carving sequence.
In the Spring/Summer of 2008 I will be carving a large Viking approx.11'tall and 2 1/2'across.It will weigh app. 2000 lbs.In my photo album I have a prototype(Styrbjorn) of the carving in somewhat the shape I will execute.I will keep the project up to date for you with photos and any other relevent information from either the cottage board of directors and the Parks and Conservation officials.At this time the tree has been selected and permission to cut it down has been forwarded to me.The tree is broken off at the half way point,therefore it can be salvaged for this project.The photo above is the actual tree I will carve. Location for this carving is still undetermined,however the general concensus is that it will display beside the main road as a greeting somewhere in the built up area.
Update 11/16/07.Board approval for funding and the go ahead is official.Now ...location,location,location.I'll be discussing this with the Parks Manager.We have two choice spots.Both just off the main road. I'll keep you updated. Update May 10/08 Waited a long winter to finally have a look at the tree Wilbert Thorarinson cut down for this project.We picked a beautiful weekend for our first time out this year.At just over 11 feet this is a massive Spruce log.It generally exceeds 2 1/2 ft top to bottom.I scraped a little bark from it and carved a few dimensional marks for perspective.I actually did lift it and turn it around to find just the right starting approach.That pretty well sums up day 1.On the long weekend coming up I hope to have a lot of the eyes and nose worked up and will strip the bark from the upper moustache area. Update May 19/08 Great May long weekend,the weather co-operated enough for me to get a good start on Forkbeard.I enjoyed many fellow cottagers that stopped by to see what I was up to.This is a great way to meet neighbours.Take a look at the photos for my progress,it will be slow for awhile,then things really slow down when I get into the detail. Update June 15/08 It's been very wet trying to work the past few weekends.As a result the work has been slowed down a bit.However,I'm happy with the results so far,proportionately I think I may be on track.It's similar at this stage to a house just being framed.At some point I'll have to raise him and detail the finer aspects.I'll need a few volunteers. Update June 23/08 What a perfect weekend.Worked mainly on the moustache detail on both profiles.Now I'll just clean them up and begin the face sides. I was able to incorporate some loose braiding(see photo)on the right side and will probably micro braid several strands.One huge difference I'm encountering is beard and moustache length.What would be a 9-10 inch braid on one of my other carvings,now requires 4-5 feet to proportion. I would like to thank everyone that drops by, I enjoy meeting you and feel free to ask any questions. Update July 27/08 This weekend 26/27 July I was able to raise Forkbeard to a free standing position.It is quite refreshing to work vertically now.I have lots of cleaning up on facial perspective and scale is a little more forgiving. I paid the Sinclairs(Lynn and Rob) a visit this afternoon and have put into motion the logistics that will see the stand contemplated and hopefully discussed soon with Wilbert. I had hoped to have things basically wrapped up for Grindstone celebrations,however that will not happen.The soonest I think we can have Forkbeard freestanding on base may not happen until late August/early September. Thanks to Tim Melnyk for some heavy lifting expertise,and the occasional beer.Today we discussed Viking celebrations in Norway in the 9th Century in which up to 300 warriors drink uncontrollably in a hall for 3 days.If you read the book The Longship it will give you some idea of what an event like that was truly like.It all starts out with copious amounts of straw being applied to the floor. Update 8/20/08 I can finally say I have completed my carving as far as I would like to take it.I've had way to much fun with this old Forkbeard and I will miss the adventure. However I'm on a new challenge...moving him into position,somewhere.There have been excellent suggestions but nothing concrete.Oh yes thats the other thing.The base.Wilbert has made the 48X48"box. Possibly half a yard of cement.I also must dig a 3 foot hole for the 2 inch pipe that extends into the center of the base. I then will pour concrete around the pipe flush with the top of the box/form.Wilbert welded a 2 inch threaded flange onto a steel plate that will attach to the underside of the carving base with 5 inch lag screws.Should be solid enough to handle most tornadoes. So I'll work on location. Howard Thiessen thought in front of the grove of trees just in front of the store.I think that may work best.I think tucked in amongst the trees would make a great home. Update 9/8/08 We were expecting rain and cooler weather this weekend.Naturally it was time to pour the concrete for the base.As it turned out the clouds cleared,the sun came out and we had a great 3 hours of spirited mixing and pouring.Lots of volunteers (see photos)drinks all around and a good time was had by all.The base is curing and I anticipate the carving to be transported to its new home in two weeks. The spot that was voted for is on the pathway between the Store and Blacks Point road.The spot was picked as there are 5-6 large natural boulders in a semi-circle around the back of the carving. Update 9/22/08 By far the most exciting weekend in quite some time.On Friday evening at 8:20 I was able to contact Wilbert Thorarinson(he had been trying to contact me).He said that Saturday morning he would meet me at my cottage around (9:30AM)and we could move the carving.So I sent off an e-mail to everyone (volunteers)hoping I would have some help Sat.morning. Well,we actually had a Parade moving the carving down that dusty road.Everyone worked very hard to get this 2000lb behemoth into position.I think the photos describe the events far better than I can.Please check out the Work in progress photos.I can't thank the volunteers enough.Lynn and Rob Sinclair, Linda and Doug Grayston, Bob Johnston,Jason Zulyniak,Bob Ralke,Wilbert Thorarinson,Lorraine Meacham.A special thanks to Sandy and Don Bridges for letting us use their facilities at the Store and all the kind words of encouragement. I think we can all be very proud of the effort put forth into bringing this enormous project to fruition.To say that I am truly humbled would be an understatement. Garth Meacham
