Thankfully, day 2 provided only one (small) surprise; we found only a tiny pinhole leak on the return line to the swimming pool. This was fixed in short order; we sleeved the flexible water line with corrugated pipe, to allow the water line to expand and contract under the rock and sand, as required when we shut off or start up the filter system.

The rain held off for most of the day, and allowed work to proceed. The excavation of the area in front of the family room went quickly using a tractor equipped with a front bucket; the same tractor provided the muscle to fill in the area with 5 inches of rock and two inches of sand. This is what we now have, after tamping everything tight (the steps on the bottom-right will be replaced next week):

Looking South, after excavating and filling with rock and sand.

Another view of the same area:

Looking West.

The lumber was delivered late in the morning, and now sits on the driveway, in front of the garage:

Lumber delivered.

We also received the two pallets of pavers (more than 8,100 pounds!), and 75 bags of concrete (for the footings, and a small retaining wall):

Pavers and Quickcrete skids - two each.

The pavers will provide quite a drastically different look from a wooden deck at poolside:

Pavers, 16-inches square.

Next: Make all the 3-foot deep footers that will hold the support posts for the upper deck.

— Al Navas