Thanks for the info. That's actually one reason I want to get this one right now is the learning experience of managing a pool. We would like to get an inground one day but won't be able to afford it for a while. We don't have basements around here so that's not a problem. One idea I had that wouldn't add a lot of expense was to till the whole area up (we already have a tiller) and then smooth and level it. I don't know how well that would work but it would only cost me my time and energy (and a little gas for the tiller). I'll see what happens and I'll definitely be lurking around this site to learn how to manage a pool. I've learned a lot already.

Thanks,

Bruce