Monthly Archives: August 2013

Via Iowa

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One has to be pragmatic in this job.  On Sunday, I thought I would probably be going to Iowa before the big New Mexico project.  On Monday, it looked like I’d stay in Wisconsin thru the weekend.  For a few hours on Tuesday, the boss wanted to take me and another New Mexico guy with him to Michigan, but before the day was over, that trip was off.  So I was back to being around for Labor Day.  But on Wednesday I come to find out that I am going go to Iowa after all.

That’s how it has come to be that I am sitting in North Liberty, Iowa tonight.  Right in my brother’s former backyard.  In another timeline, I’m having a beer with my bro right now.

The Iowa project is one that is cataloging the height of every overpass in the state.  Instead of a big van, we are cruising around in a little Rav-4.  It’s a little cramped, but much more maneuverable.

I will be in Iowa through the weekend and the plan is to have one of the New Mexico vans pick me up en route.  So it will be some time before I see Wisconsin again.  I’ll be sure to snag some pictures of the cool landscapes while I’m out there.

-reporting from exit 4 of I-380

Project Complete

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The last couple days of this Illinois project were a whirlwind of zipping all over the northern third of the state.  From the most rural strips of pavement to crawling down the Dan Ryan in Chicago a day later is probably one of the more marked contrasts one can experience.  We ended our time in the state doing equipment validations near the capital of Springfield.

It was an interesting experience and I think I’m comfortable doing this stuff for a while.  One day you’re collecting data on the Kennedy Expressway and two days before, you collected data on this:Image

That’s a neglected little piece of old US 66 somewhere near Pontiac.  That concrete is older than anyone reading this and looks every bit of it.

I’ve got some off time now and it happily coincides with an annual gathering of family colorfully called “Camp Zagar”.  So I’ll be seeing some of y’all in person in the next couple days.  It’s always a fun event and I enjoy seeing everyone.

At this point, it seems I might be heading to New Mexico for my next project.  Nothing is certain, but it’s leaning that way.  I wouldn’t mind picking up some swag from the Albuquerque Isotopes, the world’s greatest reference to The Simpsons.

A rescue in Gardner

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Yesterday, I had the opportunity to save a bird.

My associate and I stopped by this pond in Gardner, IL to have a little lunch; a spot I selected because I figured I could take a few casts.

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=41.18169,-88.32025&z=15&t=S

As I fished, I noticed this bird sitting on a dead branch fairly close to me; close enough that it seemed odd it hadn’t flown away.  The bird was a juvenile green heron and it sure looked like it wanted to leave, but didn’t.  That’s when I noticed a fishing lure was also stuck to the branch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_heron

Immediately I figured the young bird was tangled in the line or something.  Upon closer inspection, it was worse than that; a hook from the bait was sticking into its leg.  It was stuck to the bait which was stuck to the branch; there was no way he was going to get out of that mess.

My associate and I quickly hatched a plan.  I pulled off my shoes and socks and got out my multi-tool.  I’d wade out to see if I could free the little guy.  The water was warm and the bottom was mucky as I made my way toward the branch and its captive.  Lots of weeds, too and it was deep enough that my shorts were dipping into the water.

As I closed in, the heron gave out a few squawks and tried to fly away. I was able to gather him up and snap off the dead branch so I could bring him up to the shore where the two of us could work on the problem.

Using the pliers on the multi-tool, I was able to cut off the hooks and work the embedded one out as gingerly as I could with the barb working against me.  The job complete, I let the little guy stand on my hand and recover for a bit.  He seemed to be supporting his own weight and was alert and responsive.  We speculated that the little heron wasn’t stuck for too terribly long given his relatively decent condition.  After a few minutes he tried to fly away and made to back to the edge of the pond.

Image

When I last saw him, the heron was sitting on another, decidedly less dangerous branch at the water’s edge.  He was in the shade so he wasn’t going to overheat and had easy access to the water so he won’t dehydrate and might even get a meal or two.  He stands a pretty good chance of living now, but even if he doesn’t, it will be far more dignified than being hung up on a branch like that.

It’s somewhat ironic that this bird was put in peril because of a careless fisherman and then another fisherman comes along and frees him.