Still in the learning stage, I wanted to find a quiet and secluded area to help Lori get more riding time on the new ATV. We had discussed how we have not been to the cabin in such a long time. We loaded the Quad and riding lawn mower in the trailer and headed south for the weekend. Lori had called her folks and invited them down for a later summer get away. Not much argument there and the best part was Frank, their dog got to go too.
Friday night, we vegged and didn't accomplish much. In the morning, we went to breakfast and soon headed back to the beach. Roy and Opal arrived and soon plans for a Costco run were being made. I chose to stay behind and get the lawn mowed. I was able to cut it a little wider as I try to do and everything looked nice again. I unloaded the quad and had it at the ready when the shoppers returned.
Last spring, Shawn told me how a tree had come down and he cut enough to get down the drive. I looked at it and could see alot of firewood in the alder. This would not be a simple task as the tree was still partially suspended on another one and the brush was very heavy. I did not want to be under the tree or close as I went to cut it as I didn't want the tree to snap.
After a couple of hours, I had cut out three smaller trees, and then cut the brush back. Now I could escape if the tree split. Glad I did. As soon as I started to cut, it popped and split. I got out of the way and was able to clear it safely. I sawed the tree into sections, but they were heavy and I needed a way to get them down or at least to a place I could cut them out. Enter the 550 Yamaha. Lori picked up a couple tow straps for me and after a couple quick lessons, Roy was now enjoying the quad and seemed to be at ease with all it had to offer. He would come down the drive, spread the strap and we would load brush on the strap, hook it and off he would go. It worked very well for towing large amounts of brush. Then we were ready for the logs. He backed up to the edge and I hooked the straps to the three lengths. I dropped it in 4wd and started out. It towed without hesitation and now the trees were at the shed and ready to be sawed up. Both Roy and Lori rode the quad for quite some time that afternoon and Roy could be heard weighing options about what he could use one for at home.
We had a very relaxing time and it was great to be back at the beach. We need to spend more time there.
Showing posts with label beach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beach. Show all posts
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
More cabin Repairs
Hello again from the money pit,
We had a free weekend, so knowing the plumbing was busted, we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and again work on the cabin. I now know why dad Fretts hated the beach over time. I seem to always have a list of things to do. Last summer, the septic line went bad from roots. I had to dig and replace. This caused the toilet to have a few problems and with old floors and other sewer related problems. We then had to replace the roof, thanks to Shawn and his friend who supplied the labor. The final item on the list was to paint and finish the inside. We got all this accomplished by September, meaning yet another year of limited enjoyment.
With the hard winter, a tiny mistake in winterizing cost me 8 hours of work this weekend. I forgot to back drain the shower and yep, all the pipes dealing with the shower burst. With every cut, replace and glue job, another section would fail. Just cant win. They are all plastic but and easy to fix unless you are a medium husky type trying to bend just right to get under the house. I paid dearly saturday night with the pipes done with severe cramping in my stomach. Today, we pulled old stuff out that had been collecting and off to the dump it will go.
One thing I found was that due to last years water problem, the seal on the shower drain and toilet now leak. Now I will have to replace floors and drain seals. Not a major set back, but once again I get to miss the sunset while up to my elbows in *&#$.
The final blow to a very nice weather weekend was a serious motorcycle accident right at the corner by the rest area at Megler just past the Astoria bridge. The roadway was closed and we were told it would be hours before reopening. This is not a good sign when they completely close the hiway. My heart drops and although its sad to see a biker go down, you always hope its not someone from out M/C family.
Well, the upcoming week is Easter, birthdays and such. Then its off in the RV to Mount Vernon for the Tulip festival. More on that later.
Be safe
Steve
We had a free weekend, so knowing the plumbing was busted, we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and again work on the cabin. I now know why dad Fretts hated the beach over time. I seem to always have a list of things to do. Last summer, the septic line went bad from roots. I had to dig and replace. This caused the toilet to have a few problems and with old floors and other sewer related problems. We then had to replace the roof, thanks to Shawn and his friend who supplied the labor. The final item on the list was to paint and finish the inside. We got all this accomplished by September, meaning yet another year of limited enjoyment.
With the hard winter, a tiny mistake in winterizing cost me 8 hours of work this weekend. I forgot to back drain the shower and yep, all the pipes dealing with the shower burst. With every cut, replace and glue job, another section would fail. Just cant win. They are all plastic but and easy to fix unless you are a medium husky type trying to bend just right to get under the house. I paid dearly saturday night with the pipes done with severe cramping in my stomach. Today, we pulled old stuff out that had been collecting and off to the dump it will go.
One thing I found was that due to last years water problem, the seal on the shower drain and toilet now leak. Now I will have to replace floors and drain seals. Not a major set back, but once again I get to miss the sunset while up to my elbows in *&#$.
The final blow to a very nice weather weekend was a serious motorcycle accident right at the corner by the rest area at Megler just past the Astoria bridge. The roadway was closed and we were told it would be hours before reopening. This is not a good sign when they completely close the hiway. My heart drops and although its sad to see a biker go down, you always hope its not someone from out M/C family.
Well, the upcoming week is Easter, birthdays and such. Then its off in the RV to Mount Vernon for the Tulip festival. More on that later.
Be safe
Steve
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