Digging continued with the help of Tommy (actually he is a big help, but I thought this picture was funny). Half way there I remembered the footings I had set for the play structure that I built for Tommy and Katie when they were little. I remembered them because they happen to be right where I was digging for the spa! Now I had to figure out how to get rid of these footings as well as a bunch of other concrete and bricks that were piling up quickly. I obviously couldn't throw them in the trash. Weeks went by and wouldn't you know, my neighbor needed a low dumpster just for concrete that he let me put the heavy stuff in when he was done!
By now I was getting an education in the permit process through L.A.County. The good news was that I got my plans back in 2 days when they said it would be weeks. The bad news was that they came with a list of corrections and requirements that included getting an architect and structural engineer to review my plans and do calculations to justify my plans.
I knew we used an architect at High Point for the kindergarten play yard and we were going to use him again for another project soon. He turned out to be an SC guy and generously agreed to sign my plans and recommend an engineer. The result was a successful effort that eventually resulted in approved plans and a permit to build the spa.
Back to the hole to finish it up, build the forms, set the rebar and prepare for pouring the slab.