Latin (tem-pu̇s-ˈfü-git): Time Flies
Who would have thought that you could wash a bike on the driveway on December 14th, in Winnipeg Canada? It’s +2°C and the grit and grim from last weeks commute rides was huge and the chain was rusting! With the forecast for some more fairly warm weather, I think wet lube is in order.
I’m pretty excited about our newest family members, a couple of handsome young men.
First on the scene was Dane William Stewart (left) on Tuesday October 28 at 8 lbs 9 oz and 21.5 inches. Parents Desire and Eric and brother Parker.
Only a few short days later Dane was join by Clark Wesley Stewart (right) on Sunday November 2nd at 8 lbs 12 oz and 21.25 inches. Parents Mandy and Scott and brother Easton.
As a grandparent it’s hard to put into words the excitement, joy and happiness that four grandsons bring into my life. To have the whole family, sons, daughters & grandkids together, close by, and good relationships is a blessing that I’m very thankful for.
I’m looking forward to them growing up and being a part of their lives at every stage.
New Gandbabies!
Grandkids in general
Lake maintenance adventures
Winter riding – year 3
This last week on vacation I tackles a few cottage maintenance projects. Some required by the passage of time, some required by this years unusually high water levels.
The first was to replace a post that had floated away. At the shore end of the newer dock section I suspect that some serious wave action lifted one of the beams and washed out the post. When I built the dock, the post was very far our of the water and with the weight of the beam and deck boards I never thought this would happen and neglected to physically attach the post to the beam. It’s only 9″ long and is a 6×6 so it didn’t need any bracing. So, today it’s cut a new post, jack up the beam, insert and attach the post to the beam.
The next project is to replace a section of joists that support the walkway from the driveway to the upper deck at the back of the cottage. Apparently we didn’t use pressure treated lumber on this project originally, over 30 years ago, and time has caught up with us.
Wood rot has claimed a good section of two 2x10s at the driveway end. I put in a temporary 2×8 to support one side of the walkway and then unbolt the railing posts and the 2×6 extension boards that support the initial step. Then two offset cuts to remove the bad 2x10s and form a splice for the new pressure treated 2x10s. Bolt it all back together, remove the temporary support and voilá, good for another 30 years, at least this section anyway.
The next project is a little more challenging. The old section of the dock is tilting down on the shoreward side, quite a bit.
It seems that the crib under the dock has shifted/compressed over time dropping down 4-6 inches. Since the upper deck rests on this edge, it has inherited a bit of a downward slant as well. After pulling up a few deck boards it seems I did a great construction job here and toe nailed all the deck joists to the top of the old dock section. This will make it very difficult to separate from the dock which was Plan A. Plan A was to lift up the deck, then raise up the joists on the crib to level the dock and then lower the deck back onto the dock. Oh well, Plan B.
Plan B, after swimming around end checking out the crib is to jack up each end of a crib timber and raise both the dock and the deck at the same time. This required cutting out several dock boards to get access, but is successful in the end.
It was a fairly warm day and the water was about 74°F so it was quite enjoyable to work in a bathing suit and be in and out of the water. Plus with the high water levels boat wakes were keeping the top of the dock pretty wet most of the time.
Part way through the day my super-duper cheerleader and awesome wife delivers a dockside lunch that is just fantastic and we take a break to enjoy the sunshine & view.
The whole thing turned out to be pretty much an all day job with many trips up to the cottage for more tools, lumber etc. Once the repair is completed, boards replaces and everything is cleaned up it’s time to call it a day.
As part of the Kenora Arts Project Arts Fest this year there are displays all over downtown Kenora entitled “Muskies on Main”. Here are a few of my favourites.
First off, I’m at the lake, so how sweet is that! Next, it’s not raining and I got in a ride with Arthur Fast instead of the usual solo effort. I did flat on the way out to our 9am rendezvous at Tim’s East in Kenora but still made it on time after donating a pint to the mosquitos on the side of the road. We did an all over the place route that was lots of fun.
After we split up in downtown Kenora it was the traditional stop at Starbucks Safeway for a beverage. Then it was an attempt to improve on the Starbucks to Storm Bay Road Strava segment. I gave it a good shot, but there was a strong head wind all the way. Once at the cottage a dip in the lake to cool off, a nice chicken sandwich made by Shirley and a beverage all while soaking up some beautiful sunshine. Then a “nap” followed by steak, baked potato, mushrooms, Caesar salad and likely a movie. Awesome longest day of the year.
