Sunrise on Y-Pad
Maybe afternoon Sunlight? Actually it is about 1 1/2 hours after Sunrise. Sun does get somewhat higher, but not much. Strange seeing it on, or just off, the Horizon for several hours at Sunrise and Sunset.
Heres another shot taken two days later at about the same time of day facing West though instead of East….
Moonset on Lake Collen at Sunrise
This picture was taken from our office at about 10:30 am. That is the Moon setting as the rising Sun was tinting the sky from the East. Picture does not do it justice. It was taken with my phone. With the the blind eye the Moon was much larger than it appears on the picture and the details on the surface more visible than I have ever seen.
Finally settling in and understanding the way things function. Actual technical part of my job is very rewarding and challenging. Yesterday we were working 5 stories up in the air on a Bridge Crane. We work as a crew of three to do this. Wear a properly fitted safety harness with two giant clevices to attach to structure or secured anchor point. This ensures being tied off at all times. To move you attach one end, walk, crawl, or climb as far as first strap line allows (6 ft), clamp on and secure second one. Backtrack to original location and and unhook and continue on. Body harness we wear are very ergonomic and well built. Straps retract in and out of connection point on back. Harness meant to grab and secure you in a sitting position with straps across chest, over shoulders, and around both thighs with a strap connection across ass. If for some reason I fall, assembly senses rapid extraction of line, applys tension too slow down descent, and eventually catching. Dampens the jolt!
Work we do at these heights, mezzanine, and ground levels is ensuring damper and fan operation to ventilate explosive gases out or prevent from entering depending upon the classifications. All of this equipment verifies proper pressures from space to space. If this is all working it greatley reduces the chances of an incident.
Weather here has been fairly mild. Temps from 15 to 40 degrees. Daylight hours growing shorter. Best part is it is only for two weeks and is not my entire Winter. So darkness be damned!!
Heres a picture from my last stint a couple weeks back..
Arctic Ocean at West Beach, Prudhoe Bay
Standing at the side of the road. Snow behind me actually covering the land and not the Arctic. Dark blue past that is the Arctic. With cloud cover not brilliant blue as first time I saw it on a clear day. Ice Cap not visible from Sea level. Note the Orange hard hat designating me Slope greenhorn. I get to lose that after 6 months. It is good to have as it indicates to everyone your newness. This being my third Hitch I have garnered soo much knowledge of how to be safe, pay attention, and aware of everything. These are constantly preached and taken seriously, as they should be. Several times Rig workers have tapped me on the shoulder informing me of a hazard I was unaware of and explaining to me the reason I should maybe stand 5 ft to my feft, choose a longer/safer path, that surface is 450 degrees, or simply inform me I do not have my safety glasses on. I am thankful for all advice and the stress on Safety. Common saying around here is “Be in the Moment”.
One last picture also from last Hitch. This was at the Entrance to GC2 (Gathering Center)…
Me and Troy
In the reflection is me and Troy. I am the one on left with Orange hat. Troy is a super guy who is quickly becoming a dear friend. Once again Good Night and God Bless!!
Adventures with Vicki and Dale 
2013 Road Runners Rally Report
Days here in Alaska keeping me busy. After 11 straight twelve hour days with 3 to go crew here begins to drag a bit. I stayed late last night to get some pictures together from our 2013 Road Runner rally. Posted them under Road Runner MC heading at top right. Will fill in other Rally reports eventually. But now sleep and back to field for another twelve hour day.