PIPELINE TO SPOKANE

We awoke Monday morning eagerly awaiting our next assignment. We didn't have to wait too long before it came over the computer. Off to Union City we went to load up with pipes and head up to Spokane. The ride into Union City was nice as we missed the morning commute due to having some maintenance done on the truck in the morning. We arrived at U.S. Pipe and Foundry and just like in grade school, had to get in line and wait our turn. This place was hopping with about ten truck already in line ahead of us and a never ending procession of trucks coming in behind us.

We patiently waited our turn, not exactly knowing what we were to do, but like good little soldiers, we followed the lead of the drivers ahead of us. Pretty soon it was our turn to get into place to receive our load. A short time later, 35 really big pipes were loaded onto our flatbed and all that was needed was some strapping down. With the pipes securely tied down off we headed north, but this time hitting the beginning of the evening commute. Of course in the Bay Area that commute starts about 2pm.




We arrived very late Monday night at a very nice rest stop in Klammath Falls, Oregon for a good night's sleep. The fact that is was a nice cool evening was an added benefit. Arising rested Tuesday morning, we had our usual breakfast of fruit, breakfast bar and orange juice and enjoyed the morning sunrise.


Passing over the Columbia River I spotted the Pasco-Kennewick "Cable" Bridge off in the distance.


This cable bridge opened in September 1978 as a replacement for an existing "Intercity Bridge" built in 1922 and is 2,503 feet with a center span of 752 feet. At the time of construction it was the longest cable-stayed bridge in the United States.

We spent another restful cool night in the company yard before heading out again at sunrise.

We arrived at a construction job site to unload the pipe. We were directed to drive out into a field. Nothing like 18 wheeling through a plowed up field.

It was interesting to watch them unload the pipe as we drove down along this field with them dropping off the pipe along the way. It took about 90 minutes for them to complete the job.

While I was the happy observer from the cab of the truck I spotted a trio of kids enjoying their summer vacation by taking a horse and buggy ride. Ahhh the joys of childhood.
But nothing like the joys of adulthood and stopping by a Starbucks and getting to the office and finding out we are officially back on the boat fleet. Not only that, but we were told to unhook the flatbed and given an almost new boat trailer with all new equipment on it. We were very happy as we made our rounds in the office saying hello to Katie, Curtis, Brenna, and Jeff.

With the boat trailer happily attached behind our truck we found a nice place to park in the yard for the night to wait for our next assignment in the morning.