Priorities

In a few weeks my lovely wife and I will be making our way back home. Our thoughts are turning towards the things we'll have to do once we get there. Of course, the first thing we'll have to do is unwinterize the house. Heat, water and power have to be restored. With any luck that won't take too long. Once our basic shelter needs are attended to, then what?

My lovely wife insists that the first major project we have to complete is a new boat dock. Is she a water person or what?

Our beach area is very shallow. That's great when swimming. There are no drop offs where little kids can suddenly find themselves over their heads. It's not too bad for canoes and kayaks -boats that are normally beached anyway.

Powerboats and even more so sailboats, have a hard time. The normal procedure has been to anchor the bow and tie the stern to the shore. That works well enough, but the only way to get into the boat is to get your feet wet. That's not bad on a hot summer day, but it's not so great during the spring and fall.

There are some storm damaged cedar trees near the beach that should make excellent support beams for the dock. Cedar is naturally rot resistant, a good thing around water. The trail to the beach is about 350 feet long. About half the distance is steep hill, the other half consists of bog bridges though cedar swamp. That's not the best path for hauling materials to the beach.

Fortunately my little lake has a nice boat ramp. It's a lot easier to move heavy things by boat than by trail. Once the boat dock is in place it will be even easier.

Sixbears