I mentioned before how this month is just screaming along, but as far as Aprils go, we've had much worse. Looking back at my records, May has always been the biggest month for knocking off tasks. This April might be a tie if I don't peter out.
Took Friday off to knock out the SE corner blocking and soffit sections. Took around 5 hours but was more bearable than the SW corner done two weekends before. How it can take so long is beyond me. The temps topped 70F and with a clear sky, it got hot working in the sun.
After assembling the new drop hitch and airing up the low tire on the trailer (while the generator knocked and puttered for mercy trying to start that big inductive load), I hauled said trailer to the rear fenceline and commenced filling with sumac, saplings and all manner of sharp, difficult-to-load brush. Brought the trailer to a heaping load and parked it in front, resuming upstairs electrical work. Went home, took a much-needed shower, and headed out for the eve, meeting up with Cam, Cara and Ben, then finally closing down the PL with Cam after some seriously questionable jukebox selections and pickled eggs with all the fixin's. Strolled home in short sleeves taking in a pretty nice night, hitting the hill just in time to watch droves of drunken college kids stumble out of every doorway within sight.
Sat AM my stomach was demanding answers (*Note to self: No vodka tonics after a night of hops). But pressed on with some coffee and once I was working out at the land things really clicked. Prepped the meter box for the elec service. Found some 3/8 bolts of proper length for the rail mounts. Drilled and cutout the openings in the front soffits for the can lights. Installed the SE cedar deck corner, then hitched up the trailer and headed for the landfill drop-off.
Ventured on into Cedar City where the dump was once upon a time. I remember the dirt path from the Biarritz era, a tune before there were paved biketrails meandering back in the woods and prior to the chain link fence guarding the slightly unnerving one-land bridge over the swamps. A steady stream of vehicles were either dropping off leaves and brush, or helping themselves to the complimentary wood chips. I got everything unloaded without poking out an eye and headed in for lunch and materials from my private stock.
All day the skies had been threatening and light rain occurred off and on. After lunch I got busy with the shovel, digging a trench from the xformer to the pumphouse base. Still plenty hot out, more of a balmy hot, especially digging. Managed to thread the 50' triplex up through previous conduit in the PH foundation, then used the 2 sticks I had on hand to lay the cable. I began backfilling as I went which turned out to be a good move, for after getting the conductors in the general vicinity of where the risers need to go (need more conduit), the sky opened up and I knew this was the real deal. Having an open hole and a pile of black dirt is a bad situation if it rains. So, I quickly filled the void, threw some scrap plywood over the meter area, gathered tools, and hustled inside for some late afternoon elec panel work. Also managed to adjust the front deck cans and install the glass trims and power things up. Nice. Made an earnest record of what breakers lead to what (my master list went missing) and decided to head in around 6? 7? for dinner with Cara. Stepped outside to unhitch the trailer and take in the rolling fog.
Cleaned up and settled on Rudy's Taco after trying our hand at Gary's (closed). A fine meal indeed. Capped the night with further elec catalog planning back at the apt, and a good nights sleep.
Slept in Sunday, but we were still up at 9-9:30, greeted by a chilly, windy, overcast day. Cara came out and we went gangbusters on the upstairs for a couple hours, vacuuming, sorting tools, hauling out scrap in prep for the grasscloth install in the afternoon. The parents met us at 1 and around 5 hours later we had knocked out the living room side of the shear wall and all of the bathroom exterior. It all turned out very well for a bunch of amateurs working over walls that had a finish level intended for paneling. By the end though my nerves were shot and the burning question on everyone's mind was "can we go now?".
Finished with pizza over laundry and The Apprentice while the dryer did its thing. We arrived home both completely exhausted.
No comments:
Post a Comment