Thursday, March 12, 2009

Excitement!

Monday morning we wake to a deep rumbling sound out on the river. A bright white tug is pushing a short barge close to shore. They stop and lower those huge pilings into the soft mud below; the tug disengages, then turns westward leaving a crew of men. They're building our neighbor's dock.

I've been spellbound. The process has completely captivated me this week. I've taken close to 400 photos and the crew has only just begun. They're still working on the lower level's iron skeleton. Watching them weld the iron is amazing. These guys have it down to a science; it's a well-rehearsed theater. I promise my blog won't turn into a play-by-play, but I'll update you from time to time.

The upper shot shows their arrival and the lower shot is how they left it before the rains came today. The tug came back, hitched up the barge and headed for the safety of the bay during our storms. They'll be back when the lake calms down.

So this post isn't about buckeyes or butterflies, buttercups or baking, babies or birds, but it sure is bodaciously fun! (...to me, anyway!)

8 comments:

themanicgardener said...

I'm shocked, shocked, to find a post with no possible relation to gardens here on a garden post. You will never find me drifting so far from my assigned focus. The blogging police will be hearing from me.

(That's quite a structure, I must say. The only family docks I'm familiar with didn't require heavy machinery, I don't think.)
--Kate

The Giraffe Head Tree said...

Ah, our river/lake here gets 5-6 foot swells during storms, plus we get 60-80mph winds. It's a wild river, not lake-like at all, really. It's the same difference I've witnessed between the wilds of the Atlantic Ocean and her tides versus the Gulf of Mexico calm blue and lack of tides. The Tennessee River is a force to be reckoned with, so they drive steel pilings deep into the Limestone rock below in order to anchor the structure. This river looks like the ocean during winter and spring/autumn storms. I love it......but then again, I'm weird. Or so I've been told.

Glad you came back, Kate, despite the lack of gardening prose.

Anonymous said...

We are in the process of building a new dock at our lake cabin...it is quite an undertaking. But I must say nothing like the project your neighbors have going...wow! I'm glad you're going to update us! Kim

Anonymous said...

Your excitement truly shows and that is what really counts in life. Keep on following those feelings. It will be cool to see the final product.

wcgillian said...

Hey that is pretty cool! I also must comment on your new heading art work for the blog. Really very well done.

RJ

wcgillian said...
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wcgillian said...
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Anonymous said...

I can see where a project like that could completely mesmerize you, Debi! I'd be watching closely, too!

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