Concrete in the Woods, Electrical Chaos & Costco Drama

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If you’ve ever tried to build anything off-grid, you know the wins come with a few “learning experiences.” In Episode 854 we talk concrete in the woods, late-night inverter chaos, a surprisingly heated debate over ding-dong ditch, and why Costco’s latest “controversial” policy… isn’t. Grab a cup—today’s brew is FTO Blonde Espresso from FoodForestFarms.com—and let’s dig in.

Coffee of the Day: FTO Blonde Espresso

Light, clean, and ridiculously drinkable. Food Forest Farms roasts by hand on a clean-stream air roaster, and it shows in the cup.
Save 10% with code LOTS10 (shipping is always free). Visit FoodForestFarms.com and check out the C4 Club for extra perks.

Midnight Electrical “Fun” (AKA: Not Fun)

After hammering through a long Friday on the build, sleep came easy—until about 3:30 a.m. when the inverter started clicking between shore and battery every few seconds. Voltage would climb to ~120V, slide down to ~108V, and snap—back to battery. Add lightning, rain, and the fact that I really enjoy staying alive, and you’ve got the perfect conditions to wait until daylight to troubleshoot.

The culprit: a shore-power extension connection pushed slightly apart and down into wet soil after mowing. Once the ground saturated, it provided a conductive path, and the RV chassis started giving me a “hello there” zap at the door. Swapped to a different (longer) shore cord, re-connected at the pole, and the issue disappeared.

Takeaways you can use:

• Inspect your shore-power connections after mowing or any site work.
• Use weather-rated covers/strain relief at cord unions—especially at ground level.
• If it’s storming, don’t play electrician. Switch to battery if you can, then fix it in daylight.

Concrete in the Woods: 40 Bags, One Back, Zero Regrets

The big win: five round pads, each ~28–29″ diameter with ~4″ compacted gravel and 8–10″ of concrete, totaling 40 bags (50 lb)—just over ½ yard. Not enough to justify a truck, but plenty to make you rethink cardio.

Method: The Contractor-Bag Mix (Yes, Really)

Instead of hauling a mixer and generator, I tested a double-bag contractor method:

• Double up 3-mil contractor bags (outer bag reused when possible).
• Dump in one 50 lb bag of dry mix.
• Add measured water (I ran slightly wet for workability).
• Knead on plywood like dough, working corners and folding to incorporate.
• Pour straight from the bag into the hole.

Pros:

• Minimal gear; no wheelbarrow ridges or mixer cleanup.
• Surprisingly even mix; easy to feel the consistency through the bag.
• Great for ≤10 bags or remote spots.

Cons:

• For 40 bags, it’s a grind. Solo, it’s a full-day slugfest.
• You’ll chew through inner liners; reuse the outer bag to reduce waste.

Bottom line: For small pours or remote holes, contractor-bag mixing works. For anything big, bring a mixer, a helper—or both.

What’s Wrong with a Little Ding-Dong Ditch?

Apparently… everything, depending on which local Facebook group you read. I grew up knowing it as a harmless prank—a silly rite of passage. Today, some treat it like a felony, citing safety, recon for theft, and “don’t you dare.” Two quick thoughts:

• It’s okay not to answer the door. You’ve got cameras and peepholes for a reason.
• Context matters. One kid knocking and running is not the same as someone casing your property. Both can be true in the world—so respond with proportionality and common sense.

Why Costco Can’t “Just Do What It Wants” (Spoiler: It Can)

The “controversy”: Costco began enforcing executive-member early hours (e.g., 9–10 a.m.), with general members entering at 10 a.m. That’s… a perk tied to a paid tier. Like boarding groups on airlines or club seating at a stadium. If the perk matters to you, buy the tier. If it doesn’t, don’t.

I canceled my Costco membership years ago over their nationwide mask policy when our state didn’t require it. That’s the power you have—vote with your wallet. Private membership clubs do business things. You choose if you’re in.

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Coffee That Doesn’t Suck: Food Forest Farms

Real hands. Clean-stream air roasted. Use code LOTS10 for 10% off and free shipping at FoodForestFarms.com. The C4 Club is worth a look if you run through beans like we do.

Affiliate Disclosure Reminder: The links above are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Build Notes & Next Steps

• Pads are poured and cured; next is assembling 2-ply girders and getting the center beam set.
• Then: joists hung, subfloor on. With visitors and weather, the target is flooring by month’s end—we’ll see how it shakes out.

Join the Conversation

• Telegram Chat: t.me/LOTSChat
• Support the Show: TheLOTSProject.com
• Today’s Coffee: FTO Blonde Espresso at FoodForestFarms.com (code LOTS10)