July 1st, Sunday – A Spectacular Display of Fireworks; The Making of a Monument; Remember, Read the Manual

What an absolutely spectacular fireworks display last night! They were just outside the solarium window down in the meadow right across from us.  For a full 20 minutes they went off one after the other – Aerial shells in a stunning array of colors, patterns, sounds and sizes;  skyrockets that you could trace into the night sky before they exploded in a dazzling array of colors; barrage rockets; comments; dragon eggs and so much more.  The colors were just out of this world.  The display was put on for the park by its owners , Heath and Erica, and like everything they do in reference to this park and those who stay here they went all the way.  I made sure when I saw them this morning to thank them in a big way.

So the heat is here but we are on 30 amp.  Would we be able to run the AC?  One way to find out throw the switch and watch the amp meter.  How about 25 amps!  But wait, should have read the owners manual first.  Graybeard has two AC compressors but no manual way – at least so it appears – to run just one compressor by itself.  That’s when I got out the owners manual and discovered the following.  Let’s say the inside temperature is 86 degrees, if you only set the thermostat for 3 degrees lower it will only start and run the one compressor.  Go any lower on the setting, say set it for 6 degrees lower and you trigger both compressors.  In fact, when it gets down to the temperature you original set it at, only one AC compressor is used to keep that temperature.  Now how about that!  I learn something new almost every day.

Tonight let’s finish up our tour of Rock of Ages.  Remember the picture from yesterday of

the main production plant?  Again, it’s the size of two football fields and within its walls is where the many tombstones and monuments from simple to elaborate are sculptured.  Behind this building (in the picture above it is the building to the far left) is another building that is strictly used for the construction of mausoleums.

You are able to take your own self guided tour of this facility by walking across an elevated observation walkway.  This is a picture of the inside of the building on the left hand side.  Look how far back it stretches.  But where is everyone?  Seems they get the Friday before the 4th of July off as well as the entire 4th of July week.  Wow, some union.

So how does a block of granite become a simple or elaborate tombstone or monument?  Remember the blocks of granite alongside the road waiting to be purchased?

Once a block is chosen it is moved to the manufacturing plant  There the blocks are cut into slabs of varying thickness by circular saws with industrial diamond tips. These modern saws, which can measure up to fourteen feet in diameter, are usually computer operated and high speed; which greatly increases the productivity of the manufacturing facility.  Below are blocks cut and ready to move on in the process.

Then the slabs of granite are polished by automated machines that often use either large metal discs or abrasive bricks made of silicon carbide. Polishing the granite produces a gloss finish with almost a mirror-like appearance.

 

Here is a picture of blocks that have been cut and polished with instructions on top of each waiting to be finished.  Perhaps they will have a simple inscription added or maybe some elaborate sculpting done to them.

 

Now its time to put lettering and/or a design on the cut and polished block of granite.  Virtually any design and lettering can be sandblasted into the granite. Most often, a design that was created on a computer CAD system is used to produce a flat sheet of rubber known as a stencil. The computer-generated stencil is fabricated by using a

special plotter driving a knife to create the required design. The flat sheet of rubber is placed onto the monument with a glue or filler.

The memorial is then placed into a cabinet called a green room (rooms to the right with the open doors and rollers leading into them) where the lettering and design are cut into the stone.   Sandblasting is used for this process.  Fine particles of abrasive are shot out under pressure by a fine nozzle.  The fine particles bounce off the rubber but they chip

 

the exposed granite to form letters and other designs.

But more elaborate ornamentation may have also been ordered.  Sandblasting is also used to begin the process of artistic, finely detailed designs.  However, many details must ultimately be created by the hands of a highly gifted artist.  A plaster cast is made to scale to assist the artist.  The skilled carver or sculpture will then create the desired design in granite by using sharp chisels powered by compressed air as well as hand tools. Carvers have the ability to add beautiful dimension to any design while sculptors can create full figures out of granite. The work of a sculptor usually reflects the highest levels of artistry and design.

After all work is completed, the monument is thoroughly washed and carefully inspected.  If it passes its final inspection it is then ready to ship.  Though, at one time, most if not all of the finished pieces were shipped by rail today everything leaves by tractor trailer.

There are, of course, often left over pieces.  But nothing goes to waste.  The left over pieces are piled up behind the factory and are available for future products.

 

That brings to a close our tour of Rock of Ages.  Thanks for sharing the trip with us.  If ever you are in this area, it is well worth the time to plan a visit of your own.

Night is now here.  Darkness has descended upon us.  The night sky is alight with millions of stars.  Just beautiful.  We trust you had a wonderful day and an opportunity to do something you’ve always wanted to.  In closing, as we approach the 4th of July a reminder that we are:

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries, let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and eventually some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before