Let's move some dirt...

So, new construction financing secured and county permits in hand, we could now call in the excavators to clear the site of scrub and dig the pit that will support the foundation.   This is what the site looked like before we started, looking from the driveway, toward the front of the future house at the edge of the knoll (from North to South):

 I imagined a bulldozer, but the company showed up with a crawler excavator.  To their credit, in one day they cleared the site of scrub and stumps, then dug the entire foundation, forming ramps on either side to support the concrete truck in pouring the foundation, or pushing the otherwise excess dirt downhill for our eventual back patio, etc.  As you can see, it's central Virginian red clay, but they say stressed vines produce the best grapes, eh!

Below,  is the finished foundation base, the foundation crew has completed the footing forms and column supports, waiting for the county inspector, the concrete truck on standby to come in and fill the forms...I'd say we're underway!

Next up, the foundation...