Shirley and I are at the lake for a week and just enjoyed some ordinary times. Nothing crazy happens and we just floated along in “lake mode” on “lake time” taking in the rhythm of the days. Moderate day time temperatures and just a bit cooler at night made for some great sleeps.
Rain and the Downspout
Weather wise the days were cloudy. Clouds day after day. No rain during the day until Friday when we’re cleaning up for the weekend crew that is coming and packing up to go home. Very light rain off and on through the day which was not an issue at all, unlike the previous evening.
On Thursday evening it did rain fairly hard and I hear the sound of water falling from the eavestrough onto the deck. You are not supposed to hear that sound as the water is supposed to flow into the downspout down to the ground. I instinctively and via experience know that the downspout is clogged with debris. It’s dark. It’s raining. There is lightening. But I just need to handle the issue now so it’s out on the deck, standing on a chair and fishing leaved out of the gutter just at the downspout opening. Problem solved and the cottage sounds are back to normal.
During the week I had all kinds of projects, big and small to work on and keep me active.
Projects
Project #1 is to re-build the kayak rack at the back of the dock. This should be quick and easy (haha) using the original kayak rack parts. I attach one end to the dock and then realize the top rack which flips open is blocked by a tree. 😕 I trim the tree and move the rack over about a foot and voila the rack swings open, problem solved. Then I look at the other end and realize that the part that swings open will hit a rock cliff! The rack design needs to change and several hours of work and messing around is wasted. I have lunch and think it over for a while and come up with a much simpler design.
Project #2 was to make a ramp from the ground to the new dock.
Another much bigger project is rebuilding the boat ramp and getting the sea-do back next to the Lund. For another day (year?).
Other Cottage Tasks.
During the week many tiny tasks were attended to and notes made for future tasks that need supplies or parts not currently at the lake (pex pipe & unions etc.)
- Cleaned up the “pink” room
- Q&D life jacket rack in the utility room
- Cleaned and organized shop bench
- Procured and installed screen door retractor on the lower patio door.
- Cleaned both bathroooms
- Replaced timer on septic tank backwash system.
- Ordered pump out from Bell’s Septic
- Killed wasp nest in tree fort w/spray
- Hauled wood scraps up to fire pit
Departure
As always the week flew by and just as I feel like we’re settling in to lake life, it’s time to go. Friday morning was coffee with sporadic departure work. By noon we were in full clean up and go mode and on the road to DQ by approximately 3pm. As always a great time at the lake and looking forward to our return.