I'm just pacing and killing time until Mark returns to the canyon. It was to be one day of driving West and a day of driving back but he got sick last night while traveling, very sick; hasn't kept a thing down in his stomach for the last 24 hours. Was it a matter of catching the stomach flu or running into one of those killer sliced tomatoes ... who knows. But he is not a healthy or happy camper and he's now under strict orders from the Fuhrer of Worry to either stop at another motel for the night or, if he insists, head into the canyon without our usual supply stops. Pace, pace, pace ... no phone update yet.
I am posting this non-journal item in the interim to take my mind off of his well-being and whereabouts.
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.Update (10:30PM): Our boy finally made it home and fell immediately into bed. The roughness of the dirt road had compelled him to stop several times to heave from an already barren stomach and he looked disturbingly ashen as he listlessly trudged over from the truck. Before dropping off to sleep, he expressed his great thankfulness to finally be home. Me, too!!! We'll see what tomorrow brings for him.
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I love watching any truly skilled craftsman at work whether it be a stone mason, a jeweler, a glass blower, it doesn't matter. But show me a heavy equipment operator with finesse and I could sit there spellbound for an entire day. Buddy John has sent me links to videos such as one showing how a skid steer operator loaded himself onto a tall flat bed without ramps that left me breathless but his latest series of photos tops even that performance. You will need to click on the image to see the details but it's only 250K and absolutely worth the download.
This is a back hoe operator in action. You're not going to believe what he does with his machine to get a job done. And here I am all thrilled if I manage to walk down the Rat's rickety stairs without falling on my butt. This fellow is a true master of his trade! And with more than just abs of steel.
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17 comments:
Praying for his health and safe return...let us know ASAP.
Thank you so, Pat. I will update as soon as he checks in or gets home.
The pictures are wonderful, and I agree the man is an artist. But, how did he get the machine down?
my son has a four wheel thing he climbs up rock faces with, one whell goes out and grabs a rock, while he manuveurs anther whell to grab at a rock, it doesn' look lie a frod bronco riding up the canyon, but some kind of creature climbing a rock face...glad everyone is safe...do you guys carry cell phones to check up on each other?, or do you reallly rough it out there?
Anon, I was thinking the same thing. With climbing mesas around here, I find it easier to climb up but then look back and wonder how I am going to get back down. That's got to be the real test of nerve; setting the back hoe up for a descent (because gravity can be so rude)!
putz, my cuz Colin had sent us a video of the rock climbers. They really do look more like large insects than vehicles - very cool!
After the manhunt incident (May 12, 2008 post), we try to keep the cell phones charged and ON when either of us are 'out there' some where. It has certainly removed some of the worry. Some.
Wow... definitely cool...the backhoe pics.
I hope Mark is better today. I have a few of those tee shirts; traveling while ill is NOT fun.
Buck, awesome pics, aren't they?
Mark's been awake a total of 1.5 hours since getting home last night (and most of that was since noon). I think this is going to be one of those multi-day slow rebounds. I've only seen him this sick once before. sigh
Men. I knew there was no way he was going to stop at that motel;) Hope Mark is feeling better today.
Lin,
I am so glad to see your update and know Mark made it home safely. I'm not sure I worried more about my kids and hubby years ago ... or more now...I think it is because I am getting older and so are they.
I hope Mark bounces back pretty quickly. Although I guess bouncing is not something he wants to be doing right now.
Ah-hah-hah-hah! Goddess, was his decision, ohhh, just a tad predictable? Yeah, I kind of figured that I would be in for the BIG wait as he headed all the way home.
Yeah, I think it was Jeff who sent me a copy of this acrobat a few months ago---never did find out if this really IS a "legitimate" way for unloading or not.
My only question was: If they're hauling "fill", why the hell use a hopper-car? Kinda like using a box-car for haulin' elephant-sized boulders---how ya' get 'em OUT???
Or, instead of all this hi-jinks, roll that sucker back to the crossing, crack those outlets down there on the bottom, and use that shovel the way it was intended!
Yeah, I see the "fingers" on the bucket, that fit the edge of the car. But I'll bet they also fit the width of the rails, too. Maybe for stabilizers?
Hell, I dunno! Either way, it's a neat trick. Make a great "Mr. Safety Says" film! But I'll bet it would void the warranty REAL fast on that "rubber-tired Cat"...!
I have seen these photos! amazing!
I hope he has a speedy recovery- nothing worse than heaving and nothing worse than heaving on an empty stomach on a rough road!
Oh Towanda, that bouncing ride back in almost did him in, for sure. He's been VERY sedate today although I guess he has nothing left to lose any way.
Bruno, I was wondering why they didn't use some other sort of car, too. Could it be that they just liked watching this guy crawl up there?
I freaked when I realized that the front stabilizers were the only thing keeping that narrow front wheel-base from dropping right down into the car- talk about keeping an eye on a bunch of things from as many directions at once!
Yeah, why do I suspect that you won't find this operation listed in the operator's manual? Woo-hah!
Simon, thanks for the good wishes! Oh, that's right - you just went through the same thing! He's still sleeping 98% of the time so I suppose it will be a while yet.
Love it! It's like a big bug, like one of those transformer things. Cool!
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