Driveway

If you've been to our house, you know the increasing challenge that our driveway has become.  Our cars have all been 4WD, so for the most part, it hasn't been an issue.  However, HH6 recently bought a new Hyundai Genesis.  Very nice car.  But it won't make it up the drive.  So now we have to do something about the drive.

Got a quote from a big company for both asphalt and gravel.  The asphalt estimate is $14,500.  Gravel is $7,200.  It makes me wonder how anything gets paved.  Our driveway is 6100 square feet.  About 1/10 of a mile long.  Is this how much roads cost?  I understand that there is overhead involved in just getting the trucks here and getting started.  This company - ASAP Paving, says they start at $2500.  What the fuck do you get for $2500?

So we will be going with a much cheaper estimate for a gravel drive.  Still expensive, but I can get this guy to grade, re-crown, compress and gravel the drive more than two times for what ASAP is quoting me just for their gravel price.

Voting

"If you are part of a society that votes, then do so. There may be no candidates and no measures you want to vote for...but there are certain to be ones you want to vote against. In case of doubt, vote against. By this rule you will rarely go wrong. If this is too blind for your taste, consult some well-meaning fool (there is always one around) and ask his advice. Then vote the other way. This enables you to be a good citizen (if such is your wish) without spending the enormous amount of time on it that truly intelligent exercise of franchise requires."
 - Lazarus Long


From:
Time Enough For Love
NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons (A Berkley Medallion Book), 1973

By: Robert Heinlein

Retirement Present

I almost forgot to post a picture of my Army retirement gift - the US Army Noncommissioned Officers' Sword.  Thanks so much to Bettina Anderson, Heather Fitzpatrick, Steve Mauris and whoever else conspired on my awesome retirement present!  Thanks also to CPT Smucker, 1SG Hall and the Army TCAE Aug Det and all the other amazing soldiers it has been my honor and privilege to have served with for over 31 years.