I had wanted to install a new driveway for my house as the old one was cracked up a bit and since I had moved into the house, city water was installed as I had previously had a well and pump. The new water line had run along the base of the driveway parallel with the street. They must not have compacted the earth very well as the end of the driveway had sunk down about 3 or 4 inches from the original level. As a result, when water ran down the street, it gathered at my driveway in a big pool before it went on it's way and mud always seemed to gather there. No matter how much I power washed it, after a week of so, more dirt and mud when it rained. So I got a quote for a new drive from someone I knew at work who did concrete on the side for years and was a good man. He gave me a quote but said if I helped out, he could reduce it. I was also widening the drive to accept 2 cars so the old driveway had to be broken up and carted away and dirt had to be removed from part of my front lawn for the new portion of the driveway. Well, I began to think about it and I thought I could break up the old one with a sledge hammer or jackhammer. I used to run a jackhammer in the streets of Philly going through college. I started to have a go at it with the sledge and it was tough. I looked on line for a used electric jackhammer. I knew I could dig up the lawn easily because I could use the tiller I use for the garden. The only good deal I could find for a good used one was for $275.00 for one that new sold for over $600.00. It looked almost new and the guy said he had only used it about 5 times. There was no shipping but pick up only. I told him if he reduced the price to $275.00 I'd buy it and come pick it up as the reduction would pay for traveling expenses. He agreed. So yesterday, I got up at 3 AM and started out for his house in North Tonawanda, NY which is right near Niagara Falls. Made it there OK but the last 20 miles was in a driving rain storm. It was hell because you don't know where you're going and the truck traffic on the interstate is kicking up spray that leaves you almost blind. So.....got it, and he was a very nice guy and it worked well and looked better that in the pictures. When I got home, there was 952.2 miles on the trip odometer. Just a little drive. I guess the more cabin fever you have, the longer a road trip you need to compensate for it. And that country in Pennsylvania and New York state is as beautiful as it gets...Frankie
