Today was the culmination of four long, intense, back breaking days of manual labor. The "run water and power to the Buddy Fred dock" project is officially over. Ok, so maybe the work wasn't that bad, but the story sounds better when I tell it that way, right?

Last time we spoke, I mentioned the sewing for backhoe exchange I was working on with our neighbor Glenn. Well, Glenn more than held up his end of the bargain by not only digging the trench, but also providing excellent instructional guidance and the loan of a few key tools here and there.

Day one saw us planning out our project as well as digging the 250 feet of ditch that we required to get from the house to the boat shed and the dock. After digging, we went to New Bern for supplies at Lowes.

Day two had us running power lines and water pipes in the trenches and then back filling. Somewhere along this step of the project my evil-step-monster-in-law (or she who is known as the breaker of marine heads) managed to get us to fill in a bunch of holes in the lawn that were not on any of the construction plans I had. She later claimed that these hole were critical to the overall success of our project, but I remain somewhat skeptical.

Day three I played ground hog Bozo deluxe and worked underneath the foundation of the house cutting in the water and then laying in electric line to the main breaker bus at the front of the house.

And finally, on day four, I went under the dock to secure the electric and water lines and then I made the electrical connections at the outlets. I borrowed a quick prayer from Alan Shepard - "Dear lord, please don't let me f@$k this up" - and then threw on the breakers. Houston, we have power!

PS - Allow me to assure you dear reader that all OSHA mandated, safety requirements and equipment were used at all times. 

PSS - If no more logs follow this one, I have in fact been electrocuted by my own work. Thanks for following along. More to follow, end of line.