A walkway is added to Wye Mountain Observatory.

Since the main deck was up I have been using a extension ladder to climb the ten feet to gain access to the observatory. While easier access was always in the plan it was not feasible to accomplish right away. This springs (2004) construction has consisted of a fence to wrap my cleared acre of land the house and observatory sits on so that my canines can have more room to excersise and to build a walkway to make observatory access safer. Last year I planned this ramp/walkway for its convienence and for accessability. I carried the 1/2 inch tubular steel 37" tall pier up the ladder. This ramp would have made a simple task of rolling it out on a dolly. Whew, I break out in a sweat just remembering that day. This walkway was completed Sunday May 23, 2004. As I am the only person traverseing the path I will add the safety railing after power and data is run. The plan included attaching (6-3 220VAC) power in Schedule 40 PVC on one side underneath the walk and data (fiber and cat5E) in schedule 40 PVC on the other. Below are images of the pathway to Wye Mountain Observatory.

Click on any of these images to see larger pictures.

Looking down from my upper deck to the northwest
View from upper deck of walkway, small version, click on for large image.

Standing on my porch looking NNW down the walkway
View of walkway from the end of my porch, small version, click on for large image.

Looking back at the porch from the observatory
Looking back at the porch from the observatory, small version, click on for large image.

Looking from the north side of the observatory toward the house
Looking from the north side of the observatory toward the house.

Looking from the south side of the house toward the observatory
Looking from the south side of the house toward the observatory

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