Windy Day
Patio and Grill of Posh Cottage
We are so fortunate when it comes to weather in Palisade. Most days are filled with sunshine, our winters are mild for the most part and the Western Slope is an arid climate. The downside to our weather is we get very little rain, which leads to drought and fire conditions, and we have wicked windstorms.
Our main house is sheltered by our big, beautiful Pecan trees; however, the garden and Posh Cottage are exposed to the wind. This week we had winds up to 25 miles per hour and they took their toll on the property including the garden and Posh Cottage. The Airbnb was unharmed, but the outdoor grill took a hit. This is not the first time the wind has blown the grill over, but this time it was damaged and now I must replace it. However, before I install a new grill I need to find protective solution, so the wind doesn’t continue to take out this key outdoor feature of the Cottage.
My first idea was to extend the pergola and attach the grill to the extension. However, my contractor pointed out that securing a gas grill which produces flames to a wooden structure wouldn’t be the best idea. That’s a no brainer and I’m not sure why I had not thought of it! With that idea off the table, my next idea was to add a metal railing to the patio. I thought, I don’t need a full railing, only a partial one but that would look dump. Then it came to me… using the railing material, which is steel, I can create a cubby, basically an open-ended box that the grill can sit inside. Once the metal railings are securely fixed to the concrete patio, I can then attach the legs of the grill to the railings and together that should prevent it from taking flight in the wind!
With this brilliant ide formulated, I ordered the materials as well as a new grill, both should arrive within the week. Construction wise this is out of my scope of expertise so I’m also researching local handymen. The latter is something I know I’ve needed to do for a while, just haven’t had the time to follow through. Our wicked wind provided the needed motivation and I made the time. I will be interviewing two handymen this week and have a test project for them to see where their quotes come in at and to get a feel for which one I can work with the best. As I’m not skilled in everything that need done around the farm, the garden, Airbnb and main house I think having a “handyman” on the Palisade Posh team is definitely a good idea. So, despite the challenges of the wind and the damage it caused something positive has also come from it. I will be expanding my team, I’m resolving a problem that I should have taken care of last year and our Posh Cottage guests are going to have a brand-new BBQ grill to enjoy this summer… it’s a win, win all the way around…ha pun intended!
