No, we didn't eat of load of old pinto beans, but instead had the propane tank installed. Not a big deal, you just write a check and sit back. Well it is a bit more complicated, really.
First, you have to decide on how big a tank, to own or lease, and whether it will be above ground or buried. For us it was 500 gallons, own it (20 year lifespan) and buried (nothing to see). This is the more expensive option upfront, but cheaper in the long run (20 yrs). You get a better price on propane the more you buy at once, and we'll only have to get the puppy filled twice a year. Propane is about $1.29 a gal here this summer, so that is $500 per fill (they only fill to 80% of capacity for safety reasons). Plus there is a "500 gallon club" in Kala Point. A bunch of old geezer got together and they negotiated a volume contract with one of the local suppliers, who comes out and services 20 to 30 members of the club in one fell swoop.
When you put the tank in the ground, all you see is the snorkel which is covered by a green top (not in photos yet). This lid is hinged so that the fittings are exposed above ground. The lid sticks up about 6 inches above grade and can be surrounded by plants or shrubs. Pretty slick.So on Monday afternoon, the county inspector came and approved the propane installation. Richard Gifford (Gifford Construction, septic) backfilled the propane hole and trench leading to the house and regraded this part of the lot. Then we had 15 yards (three 5-yd loads) of topsoil dumped in the back of the lot. Once the septic tanks are installed (next week), we'll no longer have truck access to the rear of the house. We didn't want to be moving the soil from the front to the rear of the lot by wheelbarrow. That would be just about as onerous as shingle dipping, which continues in earnest. Nancy has dipped 24 bundles (2400 shingles) so far, or about 30% of the lot. She's acting a bit dippy, but what can you say.
