This is the day I thought I was strong AND smart enough to dig out the laundry poles - sigh... the kids and I worked many hours digging out the clay around the pole and still couldn't get it to budge. I was near tears in total frustration when I called in back up... Dave... he came to the rescue and got the pole out - thank you Dave! Lesson learned - I had someone else come and pull out the other one! :)