Haul truck vs. Bus

I thought I'd give you a peak as to what I've been doing the last few weeks. Driving on the mine sites is very interesting. This pic was taken by my general manger to give folks an idea of just how big haul trucks are. If you grew up in Utah and took one of the Kennecott Copper field trips you might remember seeing a haul truck during your tour. But nothing can compare to driving next to or behind one. They are humongous! And you would think that being so large they would have lots of lights on them to light them up when it's dark? Nope. They have four headlights in front and two taillights in back. That's it. And when you come upon one of them in the dark it is very deceptive they look tiny but they are not. They will drive over you and never even feel it. During training we watched videos of haul trucks driving over various other vehicles and it's like watching a pancake flatten. Quite the eye opener. So think of me next time you go out for a drive in your minivan or are running errands!

Just a quick check in........

Hey ho to one and all. Just thought I'd let the masses know that we are still here and kicking ( and screaming) The last week has pretty much been sleeping and driving and sleeping and driving. It's fun going to the different mine sites and experiencing the mining atmosphere. I got a migraine wed. night that lasted all the way till thurs. night and then again yesterday that kept me down and out. Migraines just suck. If you ever had one you would completely understand. So today I feel almost human again and am eager to get on with life. So off we go to tues. and what it holds in store.

Still here and still driving

Ok so it's been a few days again. It seems like all I've been doing is drive and try to catch up on my sleep. I did take the weekend off to spend with Rick and Zac. I figured if Rick was taking his 3 day weekend so was I. That's one of the upsides of substituting. I get to pick when I don't want to work and I was really burned out from the week. So Fri. night after Rick and I were finished we took Zac into Elko to see the fireworks. It was a really great show! Then we slept in sat. Yea! and Sunday we took the boat out on Southfork Reservoir and had a really nice afternoon floating around the lake. It's not really big but it's close to home (only 15 min. away) So it's a good option if you want a 'spur of the moment' trip. Zac took one of his friends with us and they had a fun time playing in the water and floating off the back of the boat. They used ropes to not drift too far. Can you believe I didn't take any pic's? Oh well next time. So now it's off to bed for me so I can get up at 2:15 AM to take the Gold Quarry truck shop guys. At least I'll be done by about 7:30 or 8:00 AM. It's the trade off of driving for KT. I'll try to check in more often but I hate to be redundant.

Wasted

Wow has it been 10 days since I posted? It's been a zoo around here the last week or so. KT Contract Services hired me to drive the motor coaches for the mine shuttles and since then I've been doing nothing but drive..... drive...... drive. I drove for them when we first came out to the Elko area so I didn't have to do the whole training but it's been a long week of 12 hour days, riding, driving, another physical, peeing in a cup for UA's twice(different mines require different stuff) and just a bit of sleeping. I feel like the babysitter has seen Zac more than I. In fact I made him just sit on the couch with me last night for about 10 min. So finally today I was told I had dotted all my i's crossed all the t's jumped through just about every hoop that could be thought of and now I can drive a KT motorcoaches and take miners to work. I got a nice warm fuzzy feeling when numerous people told me they had missed me and welcome back. I really did enjoy the challenge of the driving and I think this time around I'm better prepared mentally and physically. After all the trips I've taken with the school district the runs at KT seem like a Sunday drive. I got to do one last Thurs. morning. I took the guys (and gals) to Bald Mountain mine. It's 156 miles round trip and 80 of that is on dirt-haul roads. It's a really beautiful ride being in the middle of no-where you can have the chance to see any number of wild creatures. Last time I drove it we came across a herd of wild mustangs. Thurs. I got to see a couple of golden eagles. It was truly breathtaking. I get to go thee again Fri. morning. It makes getting up @ 1:45 AM worthwhile. I will keep the masses updated as the summer goes along.

Happy Driving one and all........................

Template......

I just looked at my previous post and I think I may have to change my template. I had noticed before that because the post area is opaque it makes the pic's look a bit 'ghost' like but after looking at my Father's Day post i saw that Rick's face disappeared. rick told me that it's OK he doesn't mind but I don't know. I may go looking and see what else I can find or maybe I'll try and change the opaque factor. I've started getting a bit courageous since I checked out some of the help sights! I'm no software person by a long shot so stay tuned!

Happy Father's Day

Hey Happy Father's Day to one & all. Rick had a nice Father's Day. He got to sleep in, no breakfast in bed but we took the boat out on South Fork Reservoir and had a great time. Chance got to go swimming for the first time. He didn't like being thrown off the boat but once he was wet he had a great time.

Zac of course had to get in the water also. He is definitely our water child. I don't think I can call him our water baby anymore cause he's 7 now. He had bunches of fun but kept insisting he wasn't cold even though his teeth were chattering up a storm!

Zac also found some new friends to play in the water with. So as I've often said a good time was had by all.

How was your fathers day? Did you get breakfast in bed?

I also have to add that I love my dad a lot. I also miss him a whole lot. These are the times when I think of him and all that he was in my life... being there no matter what, loving me no matter what, offering advise and his infinite wisdom and of course 'the reality is...............'

Miss you Pop!

Water, water everywhere

Yesterday was Zac's b-day and today we had a party for him. He had a water party. Which was great because it is finally warm enough to be considered summer and today was 85 degrees. Perfect temp. for having fun in the water.

So after playing a variety of water games..............

And some trampoline games, everyone went home happy and tired. Now that's what I call a successful birthday party. Don't you?