The Egg Rock has been at this site for quite a few years.
Summer Projects 2005
Moving the Egg Rock
Thanksgiving, 2005
For some years Bill has been planning to move a large rock that has been a feature in the garden near the house. We call it the Egg Rock because, just like a hard boiled egg, it has a removable top. At the end of each summer we look under the lid and, although we never see anyone removing the lid, we find a collection of coins under the top.
Where there's a will there's a way when it comes to moving a rock! With the help of Atsuko Satuuchi (who took the following photographs) and a visiting nephew, Dan Adams, Bill and I were able to move the Egg Rock to its new location. The necessary equipment? A crowbar for persuading the rock to move, an old table top for the rock to sit on, lengths of cedar for rollers--and lots of oomph!
We levered the rock up and slid the old table top underneath. Then the table top was raised up and the first of the cedar rollers was placed underneath. We've moved heavy things before using rollers but this experience had extra challenges. The track of the rock was across the lawn, up on to a sidewalk, up and over the edging of the garden and then over some soft garden soil to the chosen resting place.
We managed to heave the rock over the edge of the garden by building up under the rollers with other pieces of cedar. Getting the rock off the table top was another puzzle, for Bill wanted the rock to have a certain side facing the pathway. With a little more effort the rock was moved off the table top and aligned as Bill directed.
The bed is full of alliums, tulips and daffodils which will have to be relocated after blooming. Bill plans to have a more Japanese effect in this part of the garden. The area is very dry in the summer and in one corner has an infestation of an invasive weed called Common ladybells or Adenophera confusa. We are hoping that the renovation will bring an end to that garden thug's career!