Pwah Cottage's Waterfront Makeover

To labor is to pray. 

-Motto of the Benedictines-

Near the close of last summer Marty and I stood on my parents’ waterfront property on Palmer Pond.  As we looked out at the still water, we couldn’t help but notice how rough the aged cement felt against our bare feet.  

“We should really spend a weekend rebuilding this cement slab,” Marty commented.  

I agreed.  A new slab would not only enable ease on the soles of naked feet, but it would allow my family a base from which to fully enjoy our favorite waterfront activities: swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and yapping away until the sun sinks below the tree line and we cross the road to seek warmth inside the cottage or beside the fire.  

Although inspired to begin the job that very moment, we worried about DEC code and the dwindling number of weekends we had left to enjoy what was left of summer.  

Needless to say the task was put off, but  at the start of this summer, Marty --never one to just talk about doing something-- decided the Holligan family wouldn’t go another season stubbing their toes against the uneven surface. 

“It shouldn’t take more than a weekend,” Marty had conjectured as he and my mom drew up imaginary plans and estimated how many bags of concrete it takes to fill up a 12 by 5 ½ foot form.

Famous last words.

WEEKEND 1:

 

Where it all began

Building the form

 ...which then gets filled with rocks

Marty lays the rebar

 The close of Weekend 1, which was a success thanks to the help of B and Liz

WEEKEND 1 TURNS INTO WEEKEND 2:

A rented cement mixer and a daunting 37 80lb bags of cement  

 Our electrical cord running illegally across the road - oopps... so much for the generator

 The first bag of cement is poured and leveled

Headway is made thanks to a ton of help from my dad!

Getting there... 

 Marty trims the edges

...AND WEEKEND 2 SPILLS INTO WEEKEND 3:

 The wood is cut for new stair treads

Marty pours the concrete for an easy access step into the water

A bench is constructed from which to sit and look out at the pond

 Marty removes the old treads while I spray paint the rusty railing

The new treads are bolted down

 ...and we work until nightfall with our sidekick by our sides

WEEKEND 2 CARRIES INTO WEEKEND 4 AND BRINGS US TO OUR FINAL FINISHED PRODUCT:

The form for the step is removed and it's slid into the water 

Upon seeing her new waterfront for the first time, our B is as happy as we'd hoped!

 

 No time is wasted putting it to good use

 

If you build it, they will come...

B, Marty and Marty's legacy -

The moment that makes every second that came before perfectly worth it!