OK - I hope this doesnt offend anybody (sometimes you odnt know with forums). In the hope, but not expectation, that someone out there does have an answer or two for my questions I'm going to keep posting them.

My 3 big questions still remain. In regards to the deck. How can I frame it so its strong enough, and also in relation to the pier foundation. Should the piers be at the corners and edges of the deck, or can I cantilever the deck past the piers so that the piers can be directly below the posts? Also, we want to extend the deck on the east side (gable end) to make a small "walkway" (no extra roof, not screened in, somewhere to sit in nice weather, etc.) How can this be built and supported, plus then there would be no space between the wooden "walkway" and the bottom of the bales. Is this OK?

So many questions, and the answers will come to me somehow. I know it!