My late father-in-law was a lineman for many years. He used to call me in the middle of the night in the damxdest of weather to bring riding and pack horses or a cat with a blade so they could get to lines that were down. I was always amazed to watch he and the other linemen chopping ice off poles as they climbed them to get to the problem. Times have changed some but even with the bucket trucks and helicopters the job is still demanding and dangerous. You may downplay the work and risk but there are those of us who know some of what you do and appreciate your talents and efforts.


Edit:

Just to let folks know, these are the injuries to the PUD crew that come to mind from the past number of years. This from Klickitat County area and just the ones I recall right now.

Jim (father-in-law) Serious burns when contractor put a lift boom into the live line.

Otto Broken back and hip from fall when spurs kicked out of wet and frozen pole.

Keith Broken hip and knee from fall when wind broke a wire and pole split and fell.

Gary Serious burns when homeowner hooked a generator into his house wiring and it fed back thru the system.

Roger Rattle Snake bite while getting ready to climb a pole. (bit him in the tush [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] something he has never lived down)

Lot's of other stuff but these were all life threatening. Even with the best of safety programs being a utility lineman is dangerous work.

 

Cool, less work. Just gotta change the oil and it's good to go! Wahoo!

 

I'm still planning on riding Reiter on the 30th, with Nate, if anyone else wants to go.
Maybe breakfast at the Mountainview Diner in Gold Bar.

 

Mr. Klaws was a big hit[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] I'll post some pictures when they are ready [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

I must pat myself on the back...I looked good[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Have you ever been to Moses? I would put my paddles on, especially if there's any snow.

 

I was debating on Reiter, Moses or even Tahuya, but, I think the 700R needs to have the cobwebs blown out of it. I'll be up for Moses if you want to quad pool [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Last time I rode the 700R, June 11th, Florence [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

 

I didn't think about frozen ice, guess Holeshots will be in order.

 

Last time I rode my TrAkToR, yesterday, lunchtime [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Guess I'd better dig the 700R out tomorrow and put some dirt tires on it. 10 day forecast calls for 36 and clear (or somewhere close to that) for Sunday, the 31st. sounds like good Gumbie weather [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]