The last couple of days have been good. We set all our poles and repaired the arms and actually started getting peoples power back on today. Not a lot, but enough for us to feel like we made progress. They gave us about 30 more guys to help us on this circuit, so the other crews got 6 poles today. We ended up finding a few more. We are always finding more as we drive things out. Phases and secondaries down, broken arms, missing glass, and stuff like that. Things that aren’t huge, but just enough to keep us from heating another section up without having to do a few more hours of work.
I am sure you know they let people back into Galveston today. By 7:30 there was a 13 mile backup. Glad we aren’t there any more. Still lots of people being patient and friendly for the most part. About every fourth house has a generator on it. We went and looked at another area late this afternoon, and it has a few areas that are just as bad if not worse. It is just a few miles up the road, and most of the people have power, but it looks like a few were missed. The same stuff we are seeing now.
The pictures are of where we are now and I also included a shot of a mosquito. Mike smacked it on the inside of Wes’s windshield. Actual size, no trick photography. We have heard that onions and garlic will help repel them so we are having pepperoni and sausage pizza with onions and garlic bread for dinner. No, really we are. It is good to work with guys that all feel the same. It is going to be hard to leave if we don’t get everyone in our area back on. I think that some may actually stay a little longer.
I hope none of this is boring. And thanks to all who have checked in on Shannon and the family. I still miss everyone a lot, but it is a little easier knowing that the family is taken care of.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Mounting Mosquitos
Monday started out the same as any Monday, but more like a Galveston storm work Monday. After all the changes in plans, we ended up with our original plan. That led us to Pearland which I think is just south and west of Houston. I have not looked at a map since I have been here, I just follow others directions and go. Anyway, once we saw the job, everyone’s mood got better because we had our own circuit of distribution to repair. There is a school that is the main priority to get back on line. There are four five poles down, four of them in a row, and then a bunch of broken arms and wire. We have not even driven all the taps yet. I guess to explain, they give each group of crews one circuit to repair to minimized confusion and increase safety. The main line is like a main highway and the taps would be the exits and side roads. The utility has only driven the main line, and we have to drive and repair all the taps.
I think we messed up Mexican Sunday night and Red Lobster last night so the tent food doesn’t look so good any more. But, the more I look at the set up at the dig track, the more amazed I get. I was able to drop off my laundry and get it washed, and they did it right there. They have several trailers full of washers and dryers so you put it in their bag, sign your name, get a ticket, and pick it up 24 hours later. They cook all the food there, and we are even getting subway in our lunches. They had signs on the tables this morning saying they have served over 203,000 people as of last night.
I am sitting in the old Wal Mart parking lot and a twin engine airplane that was spraying something out of its wings just blasted by only about 150’ off the ground.
Need to get back to checking on things, but weather is okay, just muggy and about 85-90. The worst thing is no amount of bug spray can seem to keep the humming bird size mosquitoes away. Oh well, maybe I’ll get one and mount it on a plaque.
I think we messed up Mexican Sunday night and Red Lobster last night so the tent food doesn’t look so good any more. But, the more I look at the set up at the dig track, the more amazed I get. I was able to drop off my laundry and get it washed, and they did it right there. They have several trailers full of washers and dryers so you put it in their bag, sign your name, get a ticket, and pick it up 24 hours later. They cook all the food there, and we are even getting subway in our lunches. They had signs on the tables this morning saying they have served over 203,000 people as of last night.
I am sitting in the old Wal Mart parking lot and a twin engine airplane that was spraying something out of its wings just blasted by only about 150’ off the ground.
Need to get back to checking on things, but weather is okay, just muggy and about 85-90. The worst thing is no amount of bug spray can seem to keep the humming bird size mosquitoes away. Oh well, maybe I’ll get one and mount it on a plaque.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Still Gone and Missed too
Looks like Jimmy and his crew were moved to another spot today to do some work. He is very glad to be off the island since getting on and off is really hectic and now they are starting to let people back to their homes. He says the mosquitos and chiggers are huge and he looks like he has been working outside. The last couple days they have eaten out at other restaurants which is a nice switch I think.
This is spirit week for ECTA and Jeana is totally going all out. Both girls are dressing tomorrow, it is wacky hair and makeup day. I am so glad to see them so happy at their new school. I was worried that they would have a hard time, especially Jess without choir and stuff but she is LOVING it. They are really enjoying seminary too and have wonderful teachers.
Jillian is doing pretty good getting around on her cast but her energy is going to drive mom nuts! Today she was trying to ride the scooter AHHHH says mom! Are we going to make it another 2weeks with a cast and 5 without PE or Soccer.
James and Jordyn are really getting along lately and playing together alot. I love to watch them as they play pretend or jump on the small trampoline together. They come up with the funniest things.
And then theres Johnston hanging out at home with mom. I think we are both enjoying the time we are getting together. His new things are asking questions then asking yes or no and since his birthday is so close he doesn't hesitate to tell you that he "needs" everything he sees for his birthday.
Sometimes I wish I was more patient and watched more than did. That is my new goal, to enjoy all that happens even when it doesn't go as planned.
This is spirit week for ECTA and Jeana is totally going all out. Both girls are dressing tomorrow, it is wacky hair and makeup day. I am so glad to see them so happy at their new school. I was worried that they would have a hard time, especially Jess without choir and stuff but she is LOVING it. They are really enjoying seminary too and have wonderful teachers.
Jillian is doing pretty good getting around on her cast but her energy is going to drive mom nuts! Today she was trying to ride the scooter AHHHH says mom! Are we going to make it another 2weeks with a cast and 5 without PE or Soccer.
James and Jordyn are really getting along lately and playing together alot. I love to watch them as they play pretend or jump on the small trampoline together. They come up with the funniest things.
And then theres Johnston hanging out at home with mom. I think we are both enjoying the time we are getting together. His new things are asking questions then asking yes or no and since his birthday is so close he doesn't hesitate to tell you that he "needs" everything he sees for his birthday.
Sometimes I wish I was more patient and watched more than did. That is my new goal, to enjoy all that happens even when it doesn't go as planned.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Email news from TX
Don’t remember what day was the last one I sent. We are finishing the transmission line today. Most everything was done last night, just clean up. We have a few little more items to do in Galveston, Stop. Just got a call in the middle of that and we will now be moving to KIWI??? I guess it is a high profile area. Or maybe just Hi rent? Anyways, that’s how things change. More and more activity on the island. Some of our crews stayed in Galveston last night after we were kicked out of the Hilton. We knew that would be too good to be true to last the whole storm anyways. We are in a hotel that was damaged by the storm. Room smells a little musty, but it is 30 miles closer to the yard, 30 more minutes sllep, and there are restaurants nearby to go and eat at. Not that the food is bad they are supplying, but it is starting to repeat and you can only season the same things so many different ways. Some of the California guys are going home since there is no more transmission. No word on our release though. We have heard that next Monday may be the day, but no one really knows. Yesterday was the first really muggy day, there was a thunderstorm pass through about an hour before we got to Galveston. It looked really cool driving towards it. It has been 75-85 for the highs, and @ 60-70 in the morning. The mosquitoes are coming out. Big and mean. We need to shower just to get all the repellant off if nothing else.
Need to get to work. It is nice to finally have game plans that only change once and hour, not every 10 minutes. Give one time to breathe.
Need to get to work. It is nice to finally have game plans that only change once and hour, not every 10 minutes. Give one time to breathe.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
More from TX
I believe it is Wednesday. We headed back to Galveston, the whole KC/CO/UT/NV group, probably @ 75-100 men. It took @ 1 hour for the first group to go the 15 miles to town from our yard. By the time I left, it was 2-1/2 hours. I probably spent 2 just for about 5 miles. But by 3pm, the drive was only taking @ 30 minutes. The rumor is that the CEO of Center Point, the utility, called the governor of the great state of Texas and let him know that if he wanted any power restored on Galveston that the troopers had better open it up and let his trucks through. Anyways, we got started with our group running support for the other crews. We have all our trucks either on the ROW or at the airport on the runway. Only the Mayor and a helicopter, one plane, and our helicopter are going in and out right now. We are supposed to be the group for the island, but we are meeting tomorrow at 6:30 to make plans. Apparently they are still working on materials and outages. We are less frustrated than yesterday, and things will get better tomorrow.
There are still a lot of trucks and men, and the food has been pretty good. Tonight was pork chops or beef patties. We even had ice cream for desert. At least we got there early enough tonite. Breakfast has been the same, eggs, pancakes, biscuts and gravy, sausage and gravy. Lunches are sandwiches , chips and CANDY, yes.
Thursday
Had a much more productive day today. We were able to do work on the line and move more material. The goal is to have the line hot by Saturday night, and it looks like we will be able to do that. When we do that, a lot of things will come on line. The empty airport has become very full. The state troopers, FEMA, Search Rescue, and even the Department of Defense are here. I really believe we were the first utility crews on the island. We talked to some Forestry guys from Florida who had been there since Sunday to set up a support camp for all the operations listed and they are just now getting full strength. There is a carrier off shore and Wes got pictures of the amphibious ships coming on shore with landing craft and supplies. There were several Blackhawk helicopters flying around. Four planes landed in the course of one hour. We are making lots of friends, and starting to really have fun. At the same time, as we have time to drive lines and really survey damage, it looks even worse. Business owners are starting to clean out and so are the people who stayed through the storm. You really begin to see how bad things are when they bring things outside that are damaged. There are beginning to be piles of trash piled up everywhere.
The only thing that is constant is that things will always change. Our plans are always being adjusted to materials and where the priorities are. Not complaining, it is just the way things go on storm work they are saying. Example: Our Center Point Leader, Dick, has a plan to keep us on the island to do all the work. Part of the plan is to get things running so we can move down there. All day these plans seem to be getting closer to happening. We were even told that it could happen as soon as Sunday this afternoon. Now, just as we get into the room and are talking about it, Wes tells me that Travis, the one who told me this afternoon we would be there by Sunday, told him we are not going soon because the rooms have been given to others.
Last, there are more lights on every night as we drive to the hotel. Traffic is also getting busier every morning and evening. One of the guys even heard that a majority of people will have power by Monday. I really don’t think that includes Galveston though. The picture I sent is our crews working and almost completing the area where I took the first picture I sent.
There are still a lot of trucks and men, and the food has been pretty good. Tonight was pork chops or beef patties. We even had ice cream for desert. At least we got there early enough tonite. Breakfast has been the same, eggs, pancakes, biscuts and gravy, sausage and gravy. Lunches are sandwiches , chips and CANDY, yes.
Thursday
Had a much more productive day today. We were able to do work on the line and move more material. The goal is to have the line hot by Saturday night, and it looks like we will be able to do that. When we do that, a lot of things will come on line. The empty airport has become very full. The state troopers, FEMA, Search Rescue, and even the Department of Defense are here. I really believe we were the first utility crews on the island. We talked to some Forestry guys from Florida who had been there since Sunday to set up a support camp for all the operations listed and they are just now getting full strength. There is a carrier off shore and Wes got pictures of the amphibious ships coming on shore with landing craft and supplies. There were several Blackhawk helicopters flying around. Four planes landed in the course of one hour. We are making lots of friends, and starting to really have fun. At the same time, as we have time to drive lines and really survey damage, it looks even worse. Business owners are starting to clean out and so are the people who stayed through the storm. You really begin to see how bad things are when they bring things outside that are damaged. There are beginning to be piles of trash piled up everywhere.
The only thing that is constant is that things will always change. Our plans are always being adjusted to materials and where the priorities are. Not complaining, it is just the way things go on storm work they are saying. Example: Our Center Point Leader, Dick, has a plan to keep us on the island to do all the work. Part of the plan is to get things running so we can move down there. All day these plans seem to be getting closer to happening. We were even told that it could happen as soon as Sunday this afternoon. Now, just as we get into the room and are talking about it, Wes tells me that Travis, the one who told me this afternoon we would be there by Sunday, told him we are not going soon because the rooms have been given to others.
Last, there are more lights on every night as we drive to the hotel. Traffic is also getting busier every morning and evening. One of the guys even heard that a majority of people will have power by Monday. I really don’t think that includes Galveston though. The picture I sent is our crews working and almost completing the area where I took the first picture I sent.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Update on Jimmy
This is an email from Jimmy, thought everyone would be interested.
I guess this would be like a blog, I have not a clue.I hope this would be interesting, but I am sure that it will probably get old for everyone, including me, by the time I leave.
We headed out for Galveston this morning, just the GF’s an Foreman, to look at a line that was down. I did not realize this, but the dog track we are mustering at is only about 15 miles from Galveston. Anyways, we headed south on the interstate and within 2 miles hit a roadblock. Once through, the scene very rapidly changed and it looked like a bomb had gone off. There way debris on both sides of the freeway, at places up to 5’-6’ high. Boats also were on the side and median of the freeway. The boats were just a few, but they were probably ¼ mile from the water. As we got further south, things got progressively worse. It is just amazing the force of the hurricane. By the time we got to Galveston and across the causeway, there were 50’ deep sea fishing boats on the side of the road. We think we were the first crews on the island. The water had to be at least 5’-6’ deep at the peak where we were. Along the freeway when we were coming in, there was debris at the phone level on the poles.
We drove to where the line started to begin to drive the line. It is supposed to be 23 miles long heading west towards Stewart? Unfortunately, we spent the majority of the day there (you may have seen the pic with all the trucks lined up next to the line that was broken). We finally drove to a few substations to look at clearance points and one other section that was down. This didn’t happed until close to 4pm. We just ended up getting the crews back to the race track and moved to another yard @ 3 miles away. It was a very frustrating day for all the guys, just seeing what we needed to rebuild and not being able to do anything because the utility is just to overwhelmed with the damage and amount of men to put to work. There was no material ready and we could not even get a clearance to start cleaning up. After being on the road for almost 3 days, @ 1500 miles, the guys are ready to do some rebuilding.
We have been told that there is much more on Galveston. More crews arrived today. Our yard that has the transmission crews only has as much equipment in it as the dog track last night. When we left the dog track, where we still eat, it was 8 pm, trucks were still rolling in, and it was just as full as it was last night. It was quite a site to see a line of @ 30 tree trimming trucks lined up on the freeway to get into Galveston.
I feel sympathy for the people who have been affected. There were several people we met that rode it out. It had to be a near death experience.
I will get pictures out as I can, since I can only do it with my “air card.”
Jimmy
I guess this would be like a blog, I have not a clue.I hope this would be interesting, but I am sure that it will probably get old for everyone, including me, by the time I leave.
We headed out for Galveston this morning, just the GF’s an Foreman, to look at a line that was down. I did not realize this, but the dog track we are mustering at is only about 15 miles from Galveston. Anyways, we headed south on the interstate and within 2 miles hit a roadblock. Once through, the scene very rapidly changed and it looked like a bomb had gone off. There way debris on both sides of the freeway, at places up to 5’-6’ high. Boats also were on the side and median of the freeway. The boats were just a few, but they were probably ¼ mile from the water. As we got further south, things got progressively worse. It is just amazing the force of the hurricane. By the time we got to Galveston and across the causeway, there were 50’ deep sea fishing boats on the side of the road. We think we were the first crews on the island. The water had to be at least 5’-6’ deep at the peak where we were. Along the freeway when we were coming in, there was debris at the phone level on the poles.
We drove to where the line started to begin to drive the line. It is supposed to be 23 miles long heading west towards Stewart? Unfortunately, we spent the majority of the day there (you may have seen the pic with all the trucks lined up next to the line that was broken). We finally drove to a few substations to look at clearance points and one other section that was down. This didn’t happed until close to 4pm. We just ended up getting the crews back to the race track and moved to another yard @ 3 miles away. It was a very frustrating day for all the guys, just seeing what we needed to rebuild and not being able to do anything because the utility is just to overwhelmed with the damage and amount of men to put to work. There was no material ready and we could not even get a clearance to start cleaning up. After being on the road for almost 3 days, @ 1500 miles, the guys are ready to do some rebuilding.
We have been told that there is much more on Galveston. More crews arrived today. Our yard that has the transmission crews only has as much equipment in it as the dog track last night. When we left the dog track, where we still eat, it was 8 pm, trucks were still rolling in, and it was just as full as it was last night. It was quite a site to see a line of @ 30 tree trimming trucks lined up on the freeway to get into Galveston.
I feel sympathy for the people who have been affected. There were several people we met that rode it out. It had to be a near death experience.
I will get pictures out as I can, since I can only do it with my “air card.”
Jimmy
Monday, September 15, 2008
WE'VE MOVED!!!
Wow what a whirlwind that last couple months have been. We are finally moved into our new home and, for one, are thrilled. The joys of no stairs, gotta love it. After painting most of the rooms, with alot of help from Michelle and Rob (no more red!), new flooring and a couple new appliances we are up and running. Today we had a leak on the roof fixed that we noticed with the recent rain storm but all in all things are good.
In the middle of everything I "had" to go to Ed Week, because August would just not be August without Ed Week. What an awesome time we had (Jessica and Jeana went too). Not only did we get to spend time with Laura, Chelsea, little Matthew and Cheryl but the things we were able to hear were so incredible.
Well, just as we were finishing the move and things were starting to get unpacked, Jimmy was asked *told* that he was going to Texas to help in restoring the power out there. This was hard for him. He loves storm work but felt bad not only leaving us to unpack but leaving his soccer team to someone else and leaving our poor bishop with no counselors. Right now he is in Houston and leaves early in the morning for Galveston, one of the hardest hit areas. I heard on the news that they have over 2 1/2 million people without power in TX and LA WOW! He will be working long hours and we pray that things go quickly so he will be home soon.
And if that wasn't enough...the day he left we had our usual soccer games. Things were going pretty good until the second half when Jillian came off the field hurt. I took her to the hospital and they said it was bruised just take a week off, ok no problem, however; sunday afternoon we received a call that she might have a small fracture and to see an orthopedic dr. I was able to get her in the next day and low and behold we have not only a small bone break off *the doctors words were a flake of bone* but she pulled and possibly tore some ligaments. Good News (yes there is some), the ligament she hurt is one that hardly ever needs surgery and should heal fine on its own and the bone *flake* won't require surgery either YA ME! She is in a cast, a nice orange one, for about 3wks and no PE or Soccer for 6wks (which is going to kill her) but she should heal fine and be on the field next season good as new.
I am grateful for the immense amount of help we have received not only from friends and family but from the Lord. Its nice to know you have friends and family who will stay up til all hours helping put stuff together or pack. Its wonderful knowing that I can call someone at any time for a blessing and they just show up. The love we have felt is so powerful that I cannot even begin to describe it. I know that we can get by while Jimmy is gone and that he will be safe without a doubt. I feel the Lord's hand in all that has happened good and not so good. My testimony is strengthened through all this and more.
In the middle of everything I "had" to go to Ed Week, because August would just not be August without Ed Week. What an awesome time we had (Jessica and Jeana went too). Not only did we get to spend time with Laura, Chelsea, little Matthew and Cheryl but the things we were able to hear were so incredible.
Well, just as we were finishing the move and things were starting to get unpacked, Jimmy was asked *told* that he was going to Texas to help in restoring the power out there. This was hard for him. He loves storm work but felt bad not only leaving us to unpack but leaving his soccer team to someone else and leaving our poor bishop with no counselors. Right now he is in Houston and leaves early in the morning for Galveston, one of the hardest hit areas. I heard on the news that they have over 2 1/2 million people without power in TX and LA WOW! He will be working long hours and we pray that things go quickly so he will be home soon.
And if that wasn't enough...the day he left we had our usual soccer games. Things were going pretty good until the second half when Jillian came off the field hurt. I took her to the hospital and they said it was bruised just take a week off, ok no problem, however; sunday afternoon we received a call that she might have a small fracture and to see an orthopedic dr. I was able to get her in the next day and low and behold we have not only a small bone break off *the doctors words were a flake of bone* but she pulled and possibly tore some ligaments. Good News (yes there is some), the ligament she hurt is one that hardly ever needs surgery and should heal fine on its own and the bone *flake* won't require surgery either YA ME! She is in a cast, a nice orange one, for about 3wks and no PE or Soccer for 6wks (which is going to kill her) but she should heal fine and be on the field next season good as new.
I am grateful for the immense amount of help we have received not only from friends and family but from the Lord. Its nice to know you have friends and family who will stay up til all hours helping put stuff together or pack. Its wonderful knowing that I can call someone at any time for a blessing and they just show up. The love we have felt is so powerful that I cannot even begin to describe it. I know that we can get by while Jimmy is gone and that he will be safe without a doubt. I feel the Lord's hand in all that has happened good and not so good. My testimony is strengthened through all this and more.
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