Easing Back Into it... Work that is...

Vacations are a must, it’s just a struggle to go back to work afterwards. To add to that lack of motivation to go back to work after a vacation... take 3 weeks off. Then you really don't want to go back, let alone wake up at 5 am. Trust me, I just did this during the Christmas Holiday. I spent a whole lot of time being... lazy. I know it might be hard to believe but I was. Guilty of 100% laziness. Me, yes Me... I did a whole lot of nothin’... and it felt great. The kids tried their best to drive me crazy but.... better luck next time.

If I had to go back to a desk job I think my first day back would have been a bit worse for me. You know the whole, desk, paperwork, computer screen, going through old emails.... Instead I get to load up the the side by side and head out to the countryside looking for possible causes of some flickering lights in some customers houses. Every morning we check our system for blinks and we found some in this section of line that is way out in the middle of nowhere. Now that is how you ease back into Work-Mode

As far as the first day back after a long vacation goes, this was just right for this guy. Out of town in the rural areas where you might not see a house for 10 miles... yep there are Powerlines out there that need to be maintained. Most aren’t right next to any main road or a gravel road at that. Back in the day they looked at a map, drew a straight line and the lineman did their best to build it in that location. Sometimes I wonder how, or rather why the lines were built where they are. 50 years ago things probably looked a bit different I bet. I am just super lucky to have one of these....

so that I can just jump in and patrol the Powerlines with a swiftness. Lol These side by sides can make it through some pretty tough terrain and can go places I am not 100% sure they are suppose to go... Yet it sure is a great tool to have for us. I can run out a section of inaccessible line, in the rain, snow, or wind in a fraction of time it would take if I had to do it on foot or a 4-wheeler. This machine helps us to be more proactive in preventing power outages and more quickly to react when an outage does happen.

Sometimes I get too focused on patrolling the line and forget to stop and take a quick look around. Okay, Okay... Being focused on that is a good thing, but being aware of your surroundings is a good thing too. Taking mental notes of landmarks, hills, valleys, trees (there aren’t many trees in this area) can really help when you are trying to make your way around at night in the fog...

That was not a fun night... yet it was fun??... “Powerline... Where are you Powerline” That feeling that you are lost out in the middle of nowhere, unable to see 10-15 feet in front of you. Never knowing if you are gonna drop into a sink hole or off the edge of a cliff as you crest a hill. This sort of stuff keeps you on high alert and the adrenaline flowing at a gentle rate... well more like a moderate one. But WOW, does it put a strain on your eyeballs!! OUCH!!

Just before my vacation was ending I took these couple photos when a pole had blown over. We had some pretty strong winds and I was surprised this was the only thing that happened. Yes, I posted them with my @splatts account but I just wanted to show you all these pictures individually.

Eastern Washington has its own style of beauty. It’s the desert part of the state and the majority of these hills are Dry Land Wheat fields or Winter Wheat. Farmland. Most of these areas aren’t very accessible by “normal” vehicles so I am able to capture some pretty good views most people don’t get the opertunity to... without a lot of physical activity :wink:wink

There is a whole lotta nothing out there...

When a person says, “I saw some deer over here” Most people would think they were in the mountains. Well at least I do anyway. Over here, in the “desert” the rolling hills, no trees... yes there are deer.... and a lot of them. We have been seeing moose also and an occasional elk. I caught these guys grazing on some Winter Wheat that was just sprouting up off the side of the road

Ssshhhh He is sleeping

Thankfully things didn’t get too skunky before lunch and I was just around the corner from the Snake River and Ice Harbor Dam. Perfect place to get some grub. This is one of many Dams on the Snake River that play a big part in being able to water the land around here to grow food. Like the saying goes...

”Food Grows Where Water Flows”

Plus when water flows, electricity is generated also...

It’s pretty amazing what a dam can do for a dry and barren land. Of course with the addition of some electricity and some high horsepower pumps.

Things have been a bit on the slow side when it comes to accidents and outages which is a good thing. Yet it has been a long time since I have had something worthy of another of my “A Day With A Lineman” posts. I haven’t abandoned them just haven’t had that “worthy” day I guess. We are supposed to be getting a bunch of snow here in the next week or so. Things could get pretty exciting depending on how much snow we get. I know my kids are excited for the snow and I have to admit.... so am I.

Well, that is how I ease my way back into work after a well needed vacation. Draw the lucky straw and do some line patrol in the side by side and enjoy a little bit of nature while I am at it.

Until Next Time...

Steem On
and

_{Ice Harbor Dam}

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