Tempus Fugit

Latin (tem-pu̇s-ˈfü-git): Time Flies

Posts

  • Dealing with the Deck

    On the May long weekend as I was checking on various cottage systems during the opening process I noticed a problem with our deck. A fairly significant issue where wood rot on one of the beams is causing it to collapse.

    This beam has some serious rot right above the post which is also in rough shape

    This issue is at the front (lake side) left corner of the deck that wraps around the entire cottage. This is also the point where the cottage and deck are highest off the ground as the ground is sloping downwards to the lake quite rapidly in this area.

    I wasn’t around when the deck was being built and my dad and his friends did it all. There were some interesting decisions made in places and this is one of them. The ground right under this corner of the deck is quite uneven and has some large vertical rocks right where you would normally have the post to support the corner. A decision was made to insert two posts away from this corner and cantilever the deck out away from these two posts.

    Far corner just hanging in the air

    So the plan I came up with is to build a temporary beam, support the beam on several temporary posts and to use the temporary beam and jacks to lift the deck a bit and cut out the damaged beam. A new permanent beam would be inserted into place onto some new posts and improved footings. The temporary beam would be lowered and removed to complete the repair.

    Step one was to tackle the far corner where there is currently is no post by pouring a concrete footing over the vertical rock structure using the rock to anchor the concrete.

    The area is pressure washed and as much loose material as possible is removed. Then a sono tube is customized to fit over and around the rock.

    Three 30kg bags of ready mix concrete were used and mixed by hand in a wheelbarrow
    Custom shaping to sono tube to surround the rock

    One thing I didn’t anticipate was that cutting the sono tube like this (above) on both sides weakened the structural integrity of the tube. As the concrete was added the weight caused the bottom of the tube to flair out. Several rocks were used to hold it together preventing a blowout.

    The resulting shape is a little interesting but it should do the job.

    New concrete footing, a little splayed out around the bottom for extra support.

    The new temporary beam is quite an engineering feat that I’m hoping will do the job. The main piece is a 2×10 – 12’ with a 2×6 – 6’ stacked on the front end to account for lack of joists in this area because of the direction of the deck boards across the front. A notch is cut in the 2×12 to allow it to fit into some other deck members.

    As I’m working alone getting this 2×10-12’ up in the air about 8’ at the far end is a bit of a challenge. I create some slings from some wire and attach the sling to the deck boards above. This way I can lift one end at a time into the slings and then tighten them up to bring the beam up to the underside of the deck. With the temporary beam hanging in it’s rough position I create several footings and posts with jacks on top in preparation for lifting the deck. Did I mention this is a two story deck?

    Temporary posts are installed and braced and some existing bracing is repaired on a few other near by posts. 40+ years is tough on the wood that is exposed to the elements.

    One of the temporary posts next to the rotted post to be replaced and the temporary beam suspended overhead.
    My temporary Franken-beam hanging in it’s rough position

    The beam being replaced is 16’, my temporary is 12’, what to do? Making good use of various bits and pieces of lumber that have accumulated around the cottage from other building projects I manage to extend the 12’ by an additional 4’. I use two 2×6-6’ and a 2×6-4’ to scab onto the 12’

    The back of the beam with 3 2×6’s laminated together supported by a post and a classic screw jack that was my grampa’s

    In the middle of the temporary beam is another post with a telepost on top
    At the front end another post that was salvaged and in rough shape on top of a footing that is also a bit sketchy with a nice telepost on top. Just over 8’ to the ground in this corner.

    All of this so far has taken four days. Not exactly full working days as I start between 9 and 10am by fogging for mosquitoes, applying insect repellent and gathering the tools. I work straight through until 2-3 pm when the insect repellant is wearing off and the mosquitoes are becoming annoying and I’m getting tired. ? Things are slow as the ground is quite uneven and you’re always hunched over under the deck. With extra beams, posts, bracing etc. it’s getting to be quite the obstacle course and I’ve still managed to bang my head on various things several times.

    At this point I’m ready to cut all the nails holding the old beam in place and start to lift the deck to free the old beam.

    Part 2.

  • 22 Mile Miracle

    Don’t lose heart. Believe God. Trust His word. Keep moving. Keep walking. If Jesus spoke it, you can believe it.

    Walking Through Wilderness Seasons: 3-Day Reading Plan by Levi Lusko and Brooke Ligertwood: Day 3 • Devotional

    Also, https://www.jordandanielchitwood.com/post/22-mile-miracle

  • Higher Ground

    If this gets any more interesting we may be looking for higher ground. The lake level was high on the May long weekend and it’s been getting higher ever since. When we arrived at the lake last night we were greeted by some changes in our dock situation.

    Since May 3, 2022 the lake has gone up 37.8 inches, over 3 feet! On about May 24th it surpassed the most recent high level reached in 2014. Before that you have to go back to 1950 before the lake was ever this high.

    This morning it was down to the dock for some remedial action to clean things up and perhaps weigh things down a bit so there is no more damage or hopefully minimal damage. The garbage cans were nice more loaded with water and a few buckets I found floating around the shore line were all pressed into service. All the accumulated debris was cleared up. Big pieces were gathered on shore for future re-use or burning and the smaller gunk was pushed into the water and sent on it’s way further down the lake.

    After the cleanup

    Thankfully our dock is in a sheltered area on the east side of the point. The neighbours across the road have a huge dock under water and exposed to the prevailing west winds which blow across a 5 mile open expanse before hitting their dock. Lots of fun wave action.

    They have 12 of those large water filled containers holding their dock down and even then there is some movement with the wave action.

  • Happy ever after?

    When we choose the new story, our storyline changes. It’s no longer just about who we are, and the moments that matter. It’s about seeking and finding Jesus in those moments—in the struggle–letting Him rewrite our past, present and future into a redemptive story of hope. 

    Perhaps we are focused on the wrong parts of the story’s ending. Resolution may look like unfinished business and unreconciled relationships. It may look like continued gray scale in so many aspects of life—in our sin, in our struggle, in our suffering. Resolution may look like more uncertainty in this temporary life and more certainty about God. Resolution may look like bumps and bruises that remind us to fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.

    Resolution may look like daily reminders of our own weakness, when we must choose to believe that God is greatest, and He knows best because we don’t have any other options. Resolution may look like the unwritten parts of the story where our only true hope is the goodness of God and the reality of eternity.

    Perhaps that’s the only happy ending we truly need.

    https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/12644-finding-joy-when-thestruggleisreal/day/7

  • High Mileage Week

    Funny how we still say “mileage” when things are typically measured in kilometres. Kilometerage certainly sounds funny and I don’t think it’s even a word.

    Anyway, this week my mileage was about twice the typical week at 425km thanks to a FROG (77km), FOG (95km), solo ride (82km) and my Ride to Conquer cancer (160km) ride.

    This is the biggest milage week in quite some time.

  • Ride to Conquer Cancer

    2022 is the 15th anniversary of Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer to raise funds for Princess Margaret Cancer Centre research and my 2nd ride. Not being in Toronto it’s a bit of a solo event as opposed to the fully supported ride from Toronto to Hamilton on Day 1 and then on to Niagara Falls on Day 2 with pit stops, lunch, dinner accommodations etc.

    At the Legion, ready to go

    Last year I was at the lake riding but this year I find myself in the city. The “official” ride is on the weekend, June 11 & 12 but the Saturday forecast here in Winnipeg is a bit iffy so I opted to ride on Thursday which was a perfect day, sunny, mid-twenties and very light winds.

    The FOG casual ride group had planned a ride on Thursday as well which meant that I could hook up with them and have company for the first 100km, perhaps more and then finish up the remaining distance on my own to get to the 160km goal. 160km or 100 miles is a bit of a cyclists achievement referred to as a Century ride.

    I load up the jersey pockets with provisions for the anticipated 5+ hours of riding and I leave the house at 8 am to meet the group at the Legion near Henderson Highway and the Perimeter. I’ve ridden from home to the Legion before but always on a Saturday morning. The rush hour traffic is crazy, especially with the one lane closure on Archibald right at the Tim Horton which causes it’s own traffic jam thanks to the drive-thru.

    I meet up with the group and there are eight of us with another rider joining en route. The ride is the usual lively pace holding between 30-35km/hr with some faster bits thanks to a slight tail wind from time to time.

    All is going well and I’m on target to reach 100 km by the time we get back into the city. As we’re proceeding south on Hwy 59 coming back from Birds Hill Park, I hit something, likely a rock, and get a pinch flat. Everyone stops and helps me repair the flat and we’re back underway, for about 100 feet and then there is a gunshot loud “explosion” as the same front tire gets another flat!

    Upon closer inspection, which I should have done the first time, there is a sizeable cut in the sidewall of the tire and sort of like a hernia the tube which is at 100psi squeezes out the cut and explodes. Again, everyone stops and assists with this “discovery”.

    The fix this time, in addition to my last new tube, is duct tape to the rescue! Dave somehow comes up with a small piece and places it over the cut on the inside of the tire. The new tube is then inflated to about 50-60 psi so as not to put too much pressure on the duct tape fix. It’s rideable but a little squishy feeling in the front. Now the goal is to get back home for some more serious repairs. Dave sticks with me as we ride to Windsor Park and the tire holds up all the way home.

    Part 1

    So much for 160km all in one go. But wait, there is more!?

    I knew I’d need new tires sometime this year so last fall I caught a sale and had ordered a pair of Continental 5000s which were ready and waiting. Into the basement shop for a full tire change and I’m good to go again. Since I’m at home anyway I take the time to have a bit of lunch and refresh the water bottles before heading out for the last 60km.

    Heading south to Ile de Chene will take me to 30+ and a good place to turn around and head home. Tires were great and no further incidents happened. Listening to a few podcasts helps the time solo riding pass.

    Part 2

    Some additional Strava info for the cycling geeks. Part 2 was a fair bit slower as I was more tired at this point and it’s easy to slack off when you’re not pacing with other riders.

    Fundraising turned out well! A big thanks to all who supported this worthy cause.

    So, in the end it all turns out well and my goal of 100 miles was achieved, just not the way I anticipated, like so much of life.

    The Official Socks of the 2022 R2CC

    UPDATE: The Ride raised $16.37 million for breakthrough research at The Princess Margaret, and it rained on them going from Hamilton to Niagara Falls ?

  • High and going higher

    Oh yeah, the water is high and getting higher in the coming week and it’s raining today.?

    Lake of the Woods water levels are now higher that I’ve ever experienced in 40+ years of lake life. It’s well over our original dock.

    Our floating dock section is now riding higher that the fixed section and we normally use a 3 step ladder to get down to the floating dock!. Also in this picture. below the far end has been floated up several inches but still seems to be attached to the underlying crib. I’m sure there will be some repairs needed when the lake goes down.

    That right hand end shouldn’t be tilting up like that!

    The boat ramp that last year I had to put a skid extension on to get the boat over some rocks because the water was so low is now almost getting ready to float away. The back end is floating and I think the boat on the new roller system is helping to hold it down a bit.

    Record precipitation this spring in the basin has lead to record inflows to the Lake of the Woods resulting in very high levels.

    The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.89 m (1062.6 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level rose by 10 cm (4 in) over past week. The lake level has risen above the 2014 peak of 323.78 m (1062.29 ft) and is below the record peak since regulation began of 324.31 m (1064.0 ft), set in July of 1950.

    http://lwcb.ca/noticeboard/2022/06/01/lake-level-forecasts-2022-06-01/

    The level of Lake of the Woods is expected to rise by approximately 9-12 cm (4-5 in) over the next 7 days

    http://lwcb.ca/noticeboard/2022/06/01/lake-level-forecasts-2022-06-01/

    This next jump in the level could put the whole dock at risk ☹️. Return to normal lake levels “could be many weeks out”.

    On the bright side the boat slip could now float the Queen Mary ?

    Lower kayak is touching the water

    A view from the boat.

  • Cottage Opening 2022: The rest of the story

    On Friday, May 20th, I spent much of the day just tidying up after the fall shutdown putting things back in place for the summer. In the evening all the family came out and we had some nice conversation over a few beverages. (Part 1 is here)

    In the morning Scott and I watch the F1 practice sessions, after all it is his birthday weekend and also an F1 race weekend in Miami. After breakfast the boys and I tend to some of the heavier dock work. Well, actually the guys do all the heavy lifting, I’m just directing traffic.

    The aluminum boat is flipped right side up and the Merc outboard is put on the boat. After a few pulls (14 but who’s counting. Need to get that electric start fixed) it fires up and we go retrieve the sailboat ramp which floated away to the bay next to us. It’s still all intact so it’s repositioned and winched up to a higher location and tied to a large tree.

    The boat roller ramp is re-positioned and comes in handy in dealing with the extra high water levels this spring.

    It’s not all work and late in the afternoon there is a walk down the road with everyone

    and smores around the fire pit. Along with roasting worms and other “boy stuff” ?.

    Worm Roast
    Smores – much tastier

    Dinner is the classic lake burgers with “cheese goo”, potato salad, beans marinated tomatoes and all the condiments. Plus a special dessert for the birthday boy.

    On Sunday the family is packing up to get back to town for a number of different commitments. Scott and I watch the F1 race before he goes, well the start anyway. I finish it up after they have gone.

    It’s early in the day and all the family have left so before tackling a few more startup tasks, there is time for the coffee on the deck lake tradition.

    Then it’s back to “work”, which is always more like fun at the lake. I take the kayaks down to the dock mainly so I can use one to paddle over to some friends on an island near us to say hello.

    Lots of docks are weighted down against the high water

    After that it’s cut up some downed trees on the path and haul the brush up to the road. The yard gets a raking and the property gets the leaf blower cleanup treatment. Things are looking pretty tidy. The boat is washed out and battery installed, ready to go for the season.

    With the high water I get the garbage cans from 2014 down to the dock and fill them up with water to hopefully stabilize the top of the dock against the high water and waves.

    On Monday I’m up at 6:15 but still miss the sunrise which is 5:26am these days, perhaps tomorrow. Generally a relaxed morning then a quick bike ride over the Rushing River.

    Rushing River from the Highway Bridge
    Rushing River at the Cook Shelter

    In the afternoon it’s cleaning the eavestroughs front and back both of which were more that a little plugged up with leaves and gunk.

    Tuesday I am up for the sunrise at 5am on a totally clear and cool (8°C) morning. After easing into the day with several cups of coffee and a light breakfast I start the investigation on replacing the rotted beam that supports the deck in the front left corner.

    This years major repair job

    This could be a bit of a job as it’s 2 – 2×10 – 16′ and 10′ in the air at the high corner on uneven ground. New footings and a temporary support system will be required to do the replacement. Always something fun happening at the cottage.

    We pack up in the early afternoon and head back to town. As we pass through Kenora we make the first of the season stop for a little treat for the road. The perfect end to a great opening weekend.

  • Col de route secondaire trois

    winding roadway with cars in desert area
    Photo by Drone Trotter on Pexels.com

    There is this hill.

    It’s on branch road 3 off the main Storm Bay Road.

    It’s steep but mercifully short.

    It’s always at the end of a ride coming home, when there is a little less in the tank.

    There are two pitches with a short less steep bit in the middle to try and recover for the final push to the summit.

    Yesterday, I had the Wahoo Element disaying the grade. All of it over 10% and a 50 feet of 19%!

  • Lake Levels: What does it mean to me

    According to the Lake of the Woods Water Control Board, today, May 23, 2022

    The current level of Lake of the Woods is 323.76 m (1062.2 ft), over 95th percentile level for this time of year. The average lake level rose by 16 cm (6 in) over past week.

    All very interesting but what does that mean to me and our cottage?According to the Lake of the Woods Water Control Board, today, May 13, 2022

    Well, at this level the water is +19″ over the swim platform

    And -2″ below the main dock at the far end, right hand side.

    It also means we’re trying to prevent the dock top from ripping off and floating away with some garbage cans full of water to weight it down.

    Water-filled garbage cans