ups and downs

The life of a gate guard has a lot of ups and downs. I don't mean the emotional ups and downs of mood swings (although Rudee may disagree LOL) but physically hauling your butt up and down. Seems like I check in one vehicle, get back inside the 5th wheel, sit down and "ding, ding" another one shows up. Jump to your feet, back out the door and down the steps. There does seem to be a pattern though, 5am to 8am is usually a busy time and noon to 3pm is another. There is always a rush shortly after 6pm when the shifts change and the crew heads to town for groceries, dinner or "liquid refreshments". We are out in the open here and I have gotten in the habit of checking both directions for vehicles before heading back inside the 5th wheel. Often I can cheat an "up, down" by spying approaching headlights and sometimes I just get funny looks from the occupants of the vehicles wondering why I am standing outside with a clip board in my hand watching them pass by on the highway :-)!

The drilling is done here and there has been a flurry of activity at the rig. We have had semi truck tankers hauling "mud" in and out for the last couple of days. They will start tearing the rig down soon and I am anticipating the big cranes and low boy trucks to arrive soon. They use the large crane to lower the rig onto the trucks so they can move it on down the highway. Once everything is loaded the big parade starts.

No new news (or even new rumors) on what will happen here. I don't know if they will close this gate down or continue paying to have it attended. I am assuming it will depend on the fracking schedule. Should have some information soon, otherwise we will be the only ones left here :-). Talking with other gate guards this is not unusual and the notice to move is often given at the last minute. We can be ready to roll in fairly short order. Give us an hour and we can have this circus wagon pretty well buttoned up and road worthy. I'll keep you posted.