Dock of the Sound

Sat and ate Thai food and watched the sun go down on the Pamlico Sound in Ocracoke, NC.

aaahhhhh…

Skimboarding In Ocracoke

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New Driveway and Drainage fixed

Since I had moved to my house about 5 years ago, I have noticed increasing issues around the property with drainage.  Some coming from the street and problems in the county easement.

Loading up Debris

My neighbor also has had issues with the easement.  At the end of the drainage ditch, a large gully was growing and sink holes were appearing on my property.

The county was contacted by the neighbor about the issues and an inspector was sent out.  I gave them permission to come on to my property as it was the only way to access the area from the road.

I had no idea that today was going to be the day that it all happened.  I heard trucks early this morning but I dozed back off to sleep.  When I got up to let gypsy out and feed her I noticed there were Henrico County construction vehicles outside.  There was a bulldozer, shovel and multiple dump trucks.

The Pit

I spoke with the supervisor to find out about the plan.  He explained that they were going to fill the hole and also take care of the water draining from the street onto my property.  He asked me which trees I would want taken out and if I wanted to be able to drive down my hill.  Apparently, it was up to me if I wanted top soil or gravel and where I wanted each.

I explained what I had planed for the areas, they said OK and got to work.

First they snapped down the trees with the shovel then started clearing the ditch.  Much of the area at the bottom of the hill becomes saturated with water that drains down the hill and stops at the bottom of the hill.  It looks like the ground is fine, but once you start walking or driving on it, you find out quickly how boggy it really it.  May of the trucks were having some difficulty getting back up the hill to the street so they went ahead and brought in a load of gravel.

Dumping Gravel

Once the gravel had been spread the truck with the large stones started showing up and dumping their load into the pit.  Everything the workers did seemed to be timed perfectly, as soon as they were done with one task, the supplies were ready for the next one.  It took about 3-4 truckloads of large stone to fill the gap between the two properties.  A truck would drop a load, then the shovel and dozer would push and smooth out the stone.   Once the pit was filled, they started bringing in the topsoil to cover them and the very bottom portion of my driveway that will be kept and reseeded into a lawn.

Smoothing out the large stones

We went out to the grocery for an hour.  By the time we returned all the topsoil had been dumped.  The soil spread for the lawn and they were already seeding the yard, with the same type of seed that I have been using for the rest of the yard.  Next they brought in more gravel and spread it all the way to the top of the drive.  They had even cut a wider space out and evenly graded the area that had become a trench from the street water.  After all the gravel was spread they compacted it by running it over with the large tractor wheels.  All started to pack up and leave just as rain started fall and darkness came.

I spoke again with the supervisor and he told me they would be back to put in the asphalt bump in front of my driveway later next week. This will keep be a barrier to keep the street water from draining onto my driveway.

The finished driveway.

I must say that I was not prepared for all that happened today.  However, I was very impressed with the level of service that my neighbor and I received from Henrico County on this project.  All of the employees were friendly and cheerful  the whole time they were doing their work.  I am very satisfied with the results.

Now, all I will need to do is plant some new trees or shrubs and get some decorative gravel should I decide to change the  look of the gravel they left.

Merry Christmas!

Whoof

Happy Holidays to all.  It has been a wonderful and magnificent year!  Elections, financial crisis, babies born, graduations, new jobs, shows, birthdays, festivals, and the list goes on.

Happy Holidays from the Gypsydeer.

The best Christmas Shovel Ever!!!