Ice Age

So much for sunny and warm South Carolina.  Even though we were right in the path of the incoming ice storm to the Southern U.S., Marti and I were out working in the cold rain that preceded the ice storm.

 

Although we’ve been working on the Water Safety program, we still have other tasks that need to be done.  We have taken a break from the pin hunting and dock inspections to handle a higher priority job, small bridge inspections that are on the footpaths on trails, campgrounds and day use areas here at J. Strom Thurmond COE.

The bridges need to be inspected annually.  We have an inspection report to fill out on each one and then take a photograph documenting the bridge’s condition.  Any that need repairs are put on the work list to be fixed before the summer season starts.

Sometimes it’s hard to find the bridge because they are covered up with fallen leaves and pine needles.  We have to clear them off to inspect them.

So far, we’re half done with the 40 bridges, and most are in good condition, but we’ve found a couple that need attention.  One was so bad we had to tape it off so no one would be injured walking across it.  Along with rotted boards, it had spikes sticking up that could really hurt someone.

It’s not all work and no play. Despite the freezing rain and snow,

all the workampers got together at the Volunteer Village rec house for our St. Valentines Day Chili Massacre.

With a nice roaring fire in the fireplace,

we sat down to a great meal, with loads of chili and deserts.  After everyone was stuffed, we moved on to play cards, until…

The power went off, leaving us in the dark.  We all returned to our nearby RVs and settled in for a cold night.  Fortunately for us, we have a diesel generator and a full 100 gallon tank of diesel fuel, so we’re snug and warm. 

We woke up this morning to this:

A good inch of ice with snow still coming down.  I guess we’ll take the day off.  I wish we’d get a little bit of that Global Warming about now.  Of course we’ll check up on all our neighbors, some have no generators, so we may have some company.  After all, we have a card game to finish…  :c)

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