Monday, October 5, 2009

Adventures in Fencing, Part 45 (approximately)


So, after much work in his few hours of daylight after his real job was done (and some more work done in complete darkness), Travis succeeded in getting our new fence ready for its concrete curb to be poured. This is the final step before we can install the actual walls of the fence. Everyone was assembled and ready to work when the concrete mixer and the pumper truck pulled up at 7:30 am. The pumper truck was supposed to make the pouring much easier as the guys would not have to be running a wheelbarrow to fill the narrow forms. Anyway, the pumper truck extended its mighty arm and the truck promptly tipped, and almost fell right over, supported by only one of its "sturdy jacks" as Dallin called it. As a result, the boom arm crashed to the ground, narrowly missing Travis and his helpers on the ground, as well as our house and fence posts. 

Very fortunately, nobody was hurt and nothing was damaged, with the notable exception of the pumper truck. The situation soon attracted a sizable crowd and they were treated to full morning of entertainment as various methods were employed to hoist the truck and its arm back up. This involved about three hours, a tractor and truck or two, a chain (which subsequently broke part way through the operation, sending the arm crashing back down to earth and nearly hitting our house again), a bunch of puzzled-looking men, and an evacuation order for Mardi and the boys inside the house. All in all, it was a productive day and Travis did eventually get his curb poured...but they had to use the wheelbarrow after all.



That drain pipe on the right is on our house. The boom was literally a few feet away from it.

3 comments:

  1. Wow! That's scary! I don't know that I would have evacuated into the house though. It sounds and looks like your house was a close target. I am glad no one was hurt.

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  2. I found your blog! Wow what a crazy morning! I loved how you described all the men with a puzzled look on their faces! I'm glad they figured it out and you got your fence in without anyone getting hurt! Too crazy! I enjoyed reading through your blog. Your boys are so cute! Sounds like they are busy too!

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  3. That is crazy!!! I love the ending of the story. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. We think we're so clever with big trucks and long metal arms...

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