A First Time For Everything...Twice!

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I was raking the rink last weekend. That was the first time I've ever had to do that, and I checked with the Outdoor Rink Guru (a.k.a. Dad), and he never had to do that. I've also mentioned in my previous posts that I've been considering moving snow from the front yard to the back.

Well friends, the photo at the left shows another first that can be listed for the 2009-10 edition of my rink. That wheelbarrow is, of course, parked in my driveway. If you try hard enough, you can see the excavation area just to the left of the driveway marker/reflector. I couldn't use the snow from the banks close to the driveway because they are rock solid.

I did this work under the cover of darkness for two valid reasons: the first, and most obvious reason is that it lowers the possibility of my neighbours seeing me dig holes in the snow in my front yard and cart it off to my back yard, and then confirming suspicions that I've completely lost my mind. The second reason is that I was hoping that the real N.E. Patriots might show up for their playoff game today; by the time I realized that it wasn't going to happen and got geared up to go outside, it was dark.

OK then, now it's time for the first edition of Backyard Ice Math: a couple loads like this + some quality time with the hose + cold temperatures (now minus 12) = a good start to repairing the base of the rink.