Dock Work

It's been quite some time since I could honestly say that I have been busy but busy I have been. With the opening of the Outpost just over a month away the situation of our sunken docks had to be addressed. Given a tentative date for the arrival of Tim, Mike and Kauri had me planning some menus for the estimated 5-6 days they would be here, sending off a grocery list to Bev and getting rooms ready.

You never really know when they will show up so the alarm clock gets dusted off and set for an early morning wake up call. Confusion as to the annoying buzzing takes me a couple of seconds to realize what it is. What a rude way to have to start the day. I much prefer the method of waking up when I wake up. Oh the joy of having company.

The routine of my day already out of whack I change into “company clothes” not wanting to be caught in my pj’s and after only 2 cups of java head into the kitchen to put something together for lunch just in case they arrive around noon. I've also learned from past experience too plan a dinner that can be served at a moments notice or held for hours if need be. Everything taken care of Mike, I and the cat begin the waiting game.

The heavy morning fog had lifted and the seas appeared calm from where we sat but just previously, 2 days ago, one of the worst storms of the season passed through which may have the ocean still in a turmoil and not the best for travelling. The guys were coming down by boat hauling their dive gear, welding equipment and all other necessary paraphernalia for the repairs to be done.

By 4 o'clock we were starting to make bets on whether we would see them today.

We didn't have to wait much longer as they came into view at 4:30.

 

A combined effort made quick work of getting everything into the wagons and up to the lodge. A request to have dinner as soon as possible had us sitting down at 5:30, thanks to having anticipated this. Most first meals conversations would revolve around catching up on what everyone had done since last time we met but not tonight.

The main topic were the docks and planning a strategy for just how they were going to repair them. Each move had to take in consideration the tides. On some maneuverings they would have to wait for the high tide, while others it had to be low.

From the dinner table to a dive suit. With no time to waste shackles were undone to release the chains and the first dock was pushed into shore.

Not really wanting to jack up the dock and do all the welding while laying underneath the idea of towing in back out and flipping it over was discussed and agreed too, at least give it a try.

No matter what the tides were doing lunch was always at noon....dinner was another matter. Several nights it was 5:30, than 7, than 9:30, than back to 7. This certainly wasn't as bad as having to get out of a warm bed at 1:30 am to head down to the beach and do some welding while the tide was out.

The second dock having holes in both pontoons couldn't be flipped so it was back to jacking it up and welding from underneath.

Salmon? Herring? No one could exactly say what type of fish made up this bait ball.

Holes patched the dock gets towed back out and ready for turning over.

Oops....seems a bit more welding is going to have to be done so back to the beach.

You can see that the other dock is already in place so we're getting close to the end....

Day 8.

Time is running out as the tide is creeping in.

It's been a long time since I've seen the docks looking like this.......floating.

  “Don't worry....it doesn't look too deep and the crack in the board isn't that big.”

After 9 long days of early mornings and some pretty late nights I think the guys were happy to be heading back home.

With only 18 days remaining before the summer crew arrives there is a ton of work to do but it will have to wait for at least a day. First things first. The alarm clock goes back in the drawer, meals will consist of whatever leftovers I can find with minimal amount of prep, dirty dishes can wait, I will eat when I feel hungry and I won't even get dressed.

Till next time,

Heather & Mike