We closed and moved onto the lot on Tuesday and the first order of business was ordering the water meter so we would have water available. The meter was installed Thursday so we have one faucet street side, too far from where we’re parked for the rig to be hooked up.

Marc ordered sand in anticipation of needing it for the slab foundation of the shed he will be building. We have since received two more loads—all of which represent a heck of a lot of shovel work!

His next order of business was the make up for the electrical pedestal, which will bring electricity to the lot. Once that was hand cemented in place, we called for the inspection, which was passed within minutes. It’s nice being married to a former Electrician.

Forms were also set for the slab pour of our shed. Concrete is expensive when you don’t need much of it because they charge you a short load fee since the truck has to roll out regardless ($160). Just this little amount proved difficult for Marc to finish due to lack of the proper tools and his knee no longer bending to allow him to get into the correct position for the finish work.

Marc called for a backhoe rental to be delivered Friday evening so he could have his eight hours of use ($290 with delivery) over the entire weekend. He started by running the water line from the faucet to the area where the utility post for the guest RV will be placed. It was a little nerve wracking watching him work so close to the Mexican brick fence, since they tumble down with the slightest provocation as they are not footed, nor tied together with any rebar.

My cousin Dale, who boondocks in the area during the winter, came to help us out with the layout and trenching of the utilities. They got started early Saturday and made good progress; the sewer portion of the trench needed to start out at five feet deep. Much later the guys got involved with actually laying out the necessary electric, water, and sewer lines in the two level trench. Marc added a little backfill and tamped it down and that portion was ready for the inspector.

After the main portion of the utilities to our spot were laid, the guys turned to finalizing the run to the guest RV spot and the future casita. Essentially, the trenching took the form of an L. Time was running out on the backhoe but they got the job completed! At the end of the hectic weekend, the final shot shows what our lot now looks like—akin to a bomb demolition area! Once the county has inspected and passed everything Marc will be able to cover it up and get things smoothed out with a rental Bobcat. We have owned the lot for 12 days.