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Eric Walker

Dad x3 | Runner | Backyard Rink Maintainer | Kid's Activity Driver | Books | Podcasts | Dreaming of Mountains and Oceans

Backyard Rink

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    Game on! The big two are ready to face off tonight on the rink… 🏒🥅

    Two people play hockey on an illuminated outdoor ice rink at night, surrounded by a snowy yard with a small house in the background.

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    With this the 2024 Gott Walker Ice rink is open for business. The girls and Big Darbs tested it out. I will say after shoveling it earlier today Darby was so excited to get on the rink and more importantly run all round the rink. 🏒

    A backyard ice rink gleams under evening lights, bordered by snowy grass and a small illuminated shed. Nearby, leafless trees create a serene winter atmosphere.

    A dog stands on an ice rink in a snowy yard at night. Behind, inflatable snowmen are positioned on a stone wall, with a house illuminated in the background.

    Two people skate on an illuminated outdoor ice rink, situated in a dark backyard environment with house lights in the background. They wear warm clothing, including jackets and hats.

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    Flooding Complete: 27 hrs and 11,649 Gallons (44,096 L) of water later I am now going to call it good. It really did take much longer than when I did it in 2022 but I used less water overall and the rink size of 54' x 32' is the same. Now we will wait for ice to start being made by the assistance of mother nature. 🧊

    A makeshift outdoor ice rink sits on a grassy yard, supported by wooden beams and surrounded by white plastic lining, with a small shed and barren trees in the background.

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    Flooding Update: 24 hours and I am going to let this continue for a while to make sure I have enough water on the shallow side. I am now wondering if I placed the rink in a slightly different location than other years as it seems to be taking longer than last time.

    A large, rectangular ice rink with white tarp lining is set up in a backyard with a shed and leafless trees nearby. Wooden supports hold the tarp in place.

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    Flooding Update: 22 hrs in and all four corners are finally covered with about 1 inch of water on this shallow side. Since I don’t have to be anywhere to be till 9am I might let it run till at least 8:30 am with two hoses and then decide my next moves.

    An ice rink is set up outdoors at night, surrounded by trees and a lit small building. The rink’s surface reflects the structure’s lights.

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    Flooding Update: Decided to call it a night after the 16 hr check-in as it didn’t look like I was going to have any issues with it overflowing and the structure was solid. However, I was awakened at the 20 hr check-in, so I went out and did a lap again, thinking I might shut off a hose, and it still had not covered all four corners yet, so I will let it continue. Interestingly, there is a little ice forming already out there.

    A rectangular ice rink with smooth ice sits outdoors at night, framed by white tarps. Dim lighting illuminates a small building and string lights on a structure in the background.

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    Flooding Update: Can’t believe I still have not filled the 4th corner after 16 hrs of flooding. I am thinking I am just going to go with the plan so let’s hope it is all good tomorrow.

    A large, partially frozen rectangular pond is illuminated by nearby house and shed lights at night, surrounded by a grassy yard with a deck and Christmas lights visible.

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    Flooding Update: Well 14hr in now and all braces around the rink are in tack except maybe some small ones as things progress. However, water has still not touched the far back corner. The 18 hrs estimate from other years might be close. Not an idea time though so I am wondering if I go for another 2 hrs with 2 hoses and then cut back to 1 overnight so I can sleep with no worries. 🤔

    Large rectangular ice rink is forming under dim lighting, set on a flat grassy yard; wooden supports and plastic sheeting outline the perimeter.

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    Flooding Update: Still filling up slowly now that it is about 10 hrs in I am getting eager for it to at least cover all 4 corners. Hopefully, by the 12 hr mark I will get there.

    A large outdoor ice rink, partially covered with a plastic sheet, reflects light at night. Nearby, a lit house and a small building provide context in a backyard setting.

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    Flooding Update: 12 hours in and only three out of the four corners are now covered but I feel like reaching that fourth is going to take some more time.

    A large, partially unfolded white tarp covers a body of water, shimmering under a porch light. A small building with lit windows stands nearby in the dark, open yard.

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    Flooding Update: Things are still progressing nicely with no issues to report. I decided to get the back braces put on as I think we have about 1ft of water on the back side now or close to it.

    A large tarp-lined wooden frame covers a yard, reflecting light from a nearby house at dusk.

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    Flooding update: 6 hrs in and things are still looking good. Not quite to half the bottom covered yet but the deep end is filling up nicely so far.

    A large rectangular tarp covers a partially filled frame, likely forming a makeshift ice rink, situated in a grassy backyard with leafless trees and a small shed nearby.

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    Flooding update: 2 hrs in and keeping pace with the last time I did it from what I can tell as the water is touching the whole back wall (closest in picture). Later this afternoon I probably need to get the braces pounded in place.

    A large, rectangular ice rink is under construction, with water contained by white plastic sheeting. It’s set in a grassy backyard, surrounded by trees and adjacent houses.

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    Commencement of year 11 10 ice rink filling is officially a go! I guess last year I put the boards up but nothing ever happened.

    A large, flat white tarp covers a rectangular area, secured with wood planks, in a grassy yard. Nearby, a small shed sits among leafless trees and a clear sky.

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    I might have to reconsider just waiting until December to flood the backyard rink. This week is actually looking like good weather from what I can tell. 🧊 🤔

    Weekly weather forecast shows daily temperature highs and lows in colored bars. Icons depict weather conditions, with percentages indicating chance of precipitation. Highs reach 43°, lows drop to 2°.

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    Decisions have been made so here we go again…. 🏒

    A small garden shed stands on a manicured lawn, casting long shadows on a sunny day, flanked by leafy trees with a wooden house visible in the background. Probably won’t get a lot done today but boards out in the grass and stakes down from garage.

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    I really can’t believe this weather we are having as it is January 24th and it is lightly raining outside and 34ºF. The little bit of snow that we had is going to be gone quickly. I am going to continue to assume more snow is coming but at this point and looking ahead at the weather I think I made the right call on my own backyard rink.. as painful as it is was.

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    Well… Decisions were made and I got most of the structure in place for the backyard rink tonight. 🏒

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    The deconstruction starts… See you next year Backyard Rink 👋

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    Well I am not sure what to think with this constant rain all day. I am fairly confident that it is not helping that rink as there is puddles out there… Is it spring already? 🌧️

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