Work stoppage at Wayne's dock project

As the ice recedes on Rainy Lake on the Canada border, spring chores have begun for Wayne, our intrepid Northland retiree/handyman. This week's challenge has been rebuilding the dock. Ice, high water and wind have ravaged Wayne's cozy harbor on the lake and he's in the midst of a bold struggle -- again -- with nature's caprice. Here's today's report:

"Yesterday we got the 20 foot long picks (borrowed from a painter friend) over to the crib and nailed 12 inch spikes on one Tamarac log to even things out before boring 5/8" holes for the threaded rods. The cribbing will be bolted together. Not just for strength but for ease of leveling things out for the stringers.

"The hardest part was putting an arm in the water to get a washer and nut started under the freezing water.

"Today there was a work stoppage. My volunteer brother-in-law, a low-cost experienced builder, refused to work. Something about the last night's snowfall. We are going to be in the
50's for the next three days. My goal is to get the two cribs finished and ready for stringers before we head to Rochester on Sunday."

When Wayne talks about cribs, he means those rock baskets that form supports for the dock. We have no
idea what he means when has says "20 foot picks."