It’s time to revisit Rosslyn’s driveway tuneup. Bob and Phil initiated the first phase early last winter and completed the second phase three days ago. Since then we’ve endured a +2″ cloudburst (see “Tornado Watch“) that inundated us, but the tuneup faired remarkably well. A few minor washouts that we can easily repair, but considering the tragic damage inland and south of us, I’m incredibly relieved and grateful. Now that Bob and Phil’s work has been tested, we can confirm that Rosslyn’s driveway resurfacing is complete.
Let’s rewind the calendar by half a year or so to my reflection on completion of the first phase just before the onset of snow and ice.
We’re ready to put this newly improved driveway to the test during a grueling Adirondack winter. I’ll update you in the spring when we move forward with phase 2, and until then, I offer you this photo essay!
And that is the driveway tuneup, phase one, completed a couple of weeks ago by Bob and Phil, two guys who have under promised and over delivered time and again for years. We’re SO grateful each time they tackle a project for us!
(Source: Driveway Tuneup)
As it turned out, the “grueling Adirondack winter” never materialized. And the spring update was skipped because, well, there wasn’t any notable change from the day that Bob and Phil packed up their equipment and headed back to Willsboro.
Phase two, a top-to-bottom resurfacing of the entire driveway was anticipated as a 2-day project, but they actually wrapped up ahead of schedule. Pretty impressive for Monday-Tuesday after the 4th of July holiday weekend!
Tony jump-started the project last week by cutting out sod in several spots to restore the tidy margins of the driveway and parking areas. Glen stayed overtime on Friday cutting sod and using our 2-step weed prevention protocol (spray our nontoxic elixir, homemade vinegar+detergent, to kill weeds and then a couple of days later use a “flame thrower” to singe off anything persisting) to clean up areas within the margins of the driveway.
So when Bob and Phil arrived early Monday, everything was ready for them.
Phil ran the dump truck back-and-forth between Rosslyn and the quarry. Bob used a the tractor loader and box grater to spread and level the “1As and Dust” (small crushed stone mixed with fines that compress into a stable surface when wetted and rolled).
All. Day. Long.
These guys are disciplined and resolute. At the end of the day they spent time fine tuning with hand rakes and rolling everything with a small, vibrating roller. By day’s end Monday they were ahead of schedule. I walked the driveway and let them know how good it looked.
On Tuesday, more of the same. Turnaround east of the carriage barn? Check. Parking spaces by the house deck? Check. Lakeside entrance from Essex Road? Check.
By early afternoon they were packing up and heading home. That night Susan and I walked the entirety together. Smooth. Tidy transitions to grass. Susan asked me more than once, “Why didn’t we do this years ago?!” Why indeed.
As always, Huge thanks to Bob Kaleita and Phil Valachovic.
What do you think?