These fine gentlemen are using our extension ladder and Kirk’s waders and Michael’s waders to secure bolts underneath the bridge. Good thing Michael was around with his stuff to keep our hardworking bridge builders in the tools they needed! And look – those are Ryan’s waderless legs! This is just cute. WHOA! This bridge is […]
Mineral King Bridge, Part 15
You may recall that the estimated date to have the bridge be passable is October 20. That’s today! When we last left our Marshmallow Heads, they had successfully placed all 4 stringers. So, what is going on in this photo?? Give up? The pre-drilled holes on the stringers did not line up with the holes […]
Mineral King Bridge, Part 14
Before we begin our bridge update, have a look at view as of Saturday, October 15. The fall color is a little slow to appear this year. If you have the patience to follow this posting all the way to the end, you will be rewarded with 2 more scenery views. (or just scroll on […]
Mineral King Bridge, Part 13
The telehandler is swinging I-beam #2 into place. The chain is perfectly balanced, so the 3000 pounds move as easily as 3. Maybe not, but you get what I mean, right? The marshmallow head is there to place it exactly where it belongs. The lower shelf is the old abutment. The newer abutment is 1 […]
Mineral King Bridge, Part 12
My favorite marshmallow head arrived just in time to take this beautiful photo of the last third of the bridge. (Lest you think he was lollygagging around, he was hauling up a load of stuff.) These marshmallow heads are rigging the last section to the telehandler (not to be confused with a teleprompter). See that […]
Mineral King Bridge, Part 11
Have you just been dying to know what is going on with the bridge? There were 2 snow/rain days, a fake holiday, and then Michael took these photos for us on Tuesday, October 11. Since I wasn’t actually present, my comments will have to be taken with a grain of salt or two. Abutments completed, […]
Mineral King Bridge, Part 9
Yesterday I left you all with the cliff-hanger of how to extract the heavy Wacker out of the abutment area, which is well below the height of the road. I hope it wasn’t too suspenseful for you. If it robbed you of a night’s sleep, please forgive me. Here is your answer: The claw thingie […]
Mineral King Bridge, Part 8
Our marshmallow-headed, shovel-leaning road guys are hard at work, spreading the gravel as they build up the abutment on the closer side of the bridge. But wait, there’s more! After they spread the gravel, it has to be tamped. “Tamped?” I can hear you asking. Yeppers. There is a machine for that. It is yellow, […]
Mineral King Bridge, Part 7
Yesterday I left you exhausted and overwhelmed from too much information. Today I will simply show you the neat-o little peek-a-boo hole to see the river through the crumbling abutment. And, as a special treat, I will answer your burning question of how the loader got to the opposite side of the bridge – trenchplates!! […]
Mineral King Bridge, Part 6
I walked to the bridge with my camera to document the progress and was completely baffled by something. How did the loader get on the opposite side of the bridge from last week?? There is a mess where the abutment belongs – it isn’t drivable! I scoured the creek for tracks – How did it […]