Thanks, Rusty. The wife seemed to think it might be easier to trowel it without going to the top since finding two boards at Lowe's that arent bowed somewhat was impossible for us. I suggested we go to the top but we couldnt find any reason (not knowing anything about concrete) to not just stop where we were. Guess its too late to do anything about it now.
Jgw, When I went to Deans observatory he showed me how his were bolted in using sleeve anchors and it was as solid as anything I had ever seen, so we figured wed use those.
My pier is being constructed but I didnt know where to put J bolts without it being here, so I kinda had to go with the sleeve anchors. Dean's sure felt solid and I just figured wed take the hammer drill once the pier arrived and drill some holes and bolt it down. God know when or *if* Ill ever get to use the thing.