Piers

If you’ve ever rebuilt a pier at a river or lake home, you know it’s hard work. We had one that was reclaimed by the Potomac River some months ago and we were resolved to replace it. After all, it’s a great attraction for fishing, tossing in a crab pot for the Blue Crabs so desired by many, or just lounging with a good book on a lazy summer day. All good motivations to renew our pier.

It was a beast of a project. Once built on old pilings, which survived the pier-claiming high tide, waves, and wind, the decking had been swept away and up onto a long stretch of beach. We used the existing pilings to rebuild the support structure. The old wood now splintered and broken was of no value. So, we used new wood, marine treated to withstand the harsh exposures and destructive organisms common in marine environments. It isn’t cheap. And inflation has sent wood of all types through the roof. 

To couple it to the pier, we resorted to ¾ inch galvanized bolts, again to resist the elements. And of course, that meant one of us—in this case the author here—had to get in the water to assist others working topside to remove old bolts (a herculean effort) and support the framework while new bolts were installed. Fortunately, the water has warmed in recent days making my job tolerable as I stood on a ladder below.

Then it was the time for the decking. That took precision since you want the decking from the land side to the seaside to be perpendicular to the shoreline. That meant using spacers ½ inch between the deck boards to ensure the boards did not “walk” to the left (never the left, heaven forbid) or the right.

After the decking is installed, of course you have to trim the edges to account for any boards that are out of alignment. This is mostly aesthetic and it’s hard to avoid as you build outward from the shore, string lines or not.

Then you must tackle the uprights to secure the railing. We used 4×4-inch posts with three 4×4 inch “kickers” angled at the base (45 degrees) to secure the stanchions in the most upright and firm manner. We will then place 2×6 boards on top with a 2×4 board under the lip to the rail to add strength to the entire structure. 

Then we’ll build a 7-foor bench on the far side pier platform. That’s where I sit to watch my grandchildren fish and have tons of fun, an umbrella deployed to fend off the beating sun rays. That also helps to preserve the ice in my beverage. 

There you have it. Pier done. Reconstructed and ready to meet the elements as they bring themselves to bear in the storm seasons ahead. 

At 71, I doubt I will summon the strength to rebuild another pier. While I love tough projects, this one is a bit too tough to desire repeating. I have a dear friend who jokes that working on hard projects is the way I “relax.” Maybe. OK, yes. But I’m ready to relegate future pier-building to someone else.

So, what’s the point of this story? That I rebuilt a pier? No. But reconstructing that pier is a metaphor of life. How so?

First, no project in life is truly worth doing unless it is done well. That means planning, resourcing, and efficiently executing the plan.

Second, hard things are always done better with good support, particularly from friends willing to come and help. I had that from a remarkably kind and thoughtful friend who also has made a career of homebuilding. Friends matter. But skillful friends are very important when you do not have the skill yourself to do all that is needed.

Third, hard labor makes you appreciate those who labor hard every day. There are many who I know do this daily. You do also. They do not need or desire that the government pay them for existing, but rather stay out of the way as they do, well, arduous work. That’s something some politicians do not understand. Why? Because many of them have never actually done hard work aside from running their mouths to secure lifetime positions paid for by taxpayers who—you guessed it—work hard. Be on the lookout for these gas bags. They frequently say things like “I’m fighting for you.” No, they aren’t. They are fighting for their political survival.

Finally, I think it’s time to pass a law requiring that anyone who seeks a public office must first build a pier. Maybe I should have before I served in the Virginia General Assembly. But I didn’t. I have now. 

And it made me think…a lot.

PS: Summer is a good time to read! If you want to read about those who put their lives on the line for freedom, order a copy of Desert Redleg: Artillery Warfare in the First Gulf War. I’m happy to send you an autographed and personalized copy. If you have an interest in one, please place your order at this link.

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