To say we have been busy is an understatement. We have averaged over 300 vehicles passing back and forth each day which is over double the amount of our busiest days up to now. The fracking crews arrival can best be described as a 3 ring circus! One big advantage is they have their own food truck and he is parked right across the road from us :-).
The head chef came over and introduced himself to us. He invited us to come over and pick up our meals whenever we wanted something. He is also a member of the Masonic Lodge so we have something in common. Friday afternoon we were treated to rib eye steaks, baked potato and salad!
The shift change occurs around 5am and most of the crew arrives by shuttle bus from their motel in Loredo. The gate is really busy between 5 and 7 with other contractors crews and supervisors arriving. Seems like there is always a steady stream of trucks going in and out as well as the traffic for the drilling rig on the back pad.
The crews take their meal breaks in shifts. The first to eat are what Rudee and I call the "grey ghosts" followed by the "blue birds" and then the "red heads". I guess each contracting company has different colored coveralls, or maybe the color varies by job performed. I haven't figured it out quite yet and hate to ask to many "rookie" questions :-). One thing I'm sure of though, they all listen to the guys in the white hard hats. This group was eating dinner and as soon as the "white hat" said it's time, they all followed him back to work.
This morning (Saturday) the rains came and the temperature dropped and it stayed cold and wet all day. Working as a gate guard is really miserable in the rain. Everything is a mucky mess :-(. We have not ventured too far off the patio mat all day.
I did catch another mouse in the trap I have set up in the basement storage area. That makes two for the 6 weeks we have been here. Hopefully that will be the last of them but somehow I think that is wishful thinking :-).
Tomorrow looks to be a carbon copy of today. The weather forecast is for rain and cool temperatures in the middle 50's but then warm up next week. Maybe things will dry up quick around here :-) I'll keep you posted.
Hey you two, sounds like you're in the mud! I recall Jerry & Kit blogging how the wet 'caliche' (?) really clings to the shoes. However, you've gotta' smile with that food truck so close by! YUM-O as Rachel Ray would say.
ReplyDelete