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03-08-2007, 06:35 PM
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#21
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,156
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Nice vacation shots. I think I'll wait till June for my Iowa visit. Good luck.
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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03-08-2007, 06:45 PM
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#22
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Rivet Master
2003 22' International CCD
Kiln
, Mississippi
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,779
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Lift one up for me.
Using some of the comments from the insurance companies: "I can't believe people live under these conditions year after year" and "who would wan't to live here after this" and one of my favorites "If I had my choice I would leave - the place is not worth the insurance money". These were comments I recorded from trials going on after Katrina - I have a strong feeling for the utility companies that keep this place and our country in general from becoming a 3rd world nation and "keep the lights on" in all sorts of conditions.
Thank You John and your crew - when we meet the beer is on me.
__________________
Michael & Tina with Layla and Preston BZ The family has grown. 2003 22' INTERNATIONAL CCD
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03-08-2007, 06:56 PM
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#23
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4 Rivet Member
2005 22' International CCD
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 309
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Thanks!
Thanks to you and all of your brothers that work in the worst weather to restore power. Up here in the Vermont hills we lose power several times a year, and we always appreciate the linemen but never envy them. I'm sure they do not pay you enough.
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03-08-2007, 07:02 PM
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#24
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Just an old timer...
2004 22' Interstate
Tipton
, Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,760
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Despite John's complaints about his March vacation here, it's the weather that makes Iowa such a superb place to live. The weather keeps the riff-raff out... 'specially those non-hackers from Wisconsin.
John was working most of his time just a few miles from where we live. We lost our power from the big company that starts with an "A" about 4:30 PM that Saturday. We have municipal generation in Tipton, but we can only generate about 60% of our average daily electrical demand. We closed down all but six business in town; three gas stations, Wal-Mart, the grocery store, and hardware store, and they all operated on minimal power. We disconnected the major industries from the grid, and fired up the generation. We can generate about 3.6 MW and we carried the town for 36 hours from our generation plant. Our residents and businesses were amazing; for 36 hours, the load never went above 3 MW even though we typically average around 5 MW! We had heat, water, and enough electricity for lighting, refrigeration and other necessary tasks. We had reports that our neighbors in town were watching TV by candle light, using fireplaces to heat when they could, and generally using as little power as possible.
The big company that starts with an "A" got us back on grid power, and we're back to normal. During that time we were out, we had the only gas pumps on in a 40 mile radius, and we had the only stores open for the same distance. Our town gained half again it's normal population size as friends, relatives, and neighbors from the surrounding towns and countryside came in to stay with friends and relatives. During that 36 hours, we had no reported crimes and not a single traffic accident in town. It was an amazing time of neighbors pulling together to get through a tough time.
Our thanks to John, his crew, and all of the crews out there that helped get Iowa back to "normal". They did an amazing job. After we were back on grid power and more or less back to normal, even our municipal line crew went out to help other municipals get back on line as well. It was a state-wide effort. Frankly, I'm proud to live here!
Roger
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
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03-08-2007, 07:07 PM
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#25
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Rivet Master
1995 30' Limited
Ashland
, Missouri
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,610
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We were down here (Missouri) listening to the weather reports from up there (Iowa) about all this, but your pictures make it real--too real it must have been to you! I echo those posts above: big thanks for all that you and your coworkers do keeping the country lit and warm. It's neat to see such skilled work from one of our own Forum friends. Amazing pics! I liked the Labor Day view best ~G
__________________
maxandgeorgia
1995 Airstream Classic Limited 30' ~ Gypsy
1978 Argosy Minuet, 6.0~Minnie/GPZWGN
Chev Silverado 2500HD Duramax/Allison, 4X4, Crew Cab
WBCCI #5013 AIR #2908
WDCU
Go, Mizzou...Tigers on the prowl!
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03-08-2007, 07:20 PM
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#26
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Rivet Master
1951 21' Flying Cloud
1960 24' Tradewind
West Coast
, BC
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,790
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Great work John. Ugly conditions but you sure made life tolerable for a lot of folks so kudos to you.
The pictures you were showing are very similar to the Canadian prairies where we lived until 18 years ago, when we gave our heads a shake and said what are we doing living in this cold and wind. Now we have rain, fog and wind but at least it seldom gets very cold. We are weenies now to the folks back east - when it gets to the mid 30's we are freezing in our parkas and they come out and are in a sweater.
Barry
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03-08-2007, 07:25 PM
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#27
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Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,710
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tip: do not vacation in iowa in march!
Greetings John!
Your photos are so real -- we experienced very similar conditions in December here in Macon County Illinois (Decatur). We were without power in my neighborhood for 44 hours, but I couldn't complain -- unlike when I lived on our family farm, I had hot and cold running water (city water service with natural gas water heater) -- I just pulled out all of the blankets from the linen closet and wrapped up (the temperature never dipped below 42 degrees in my house despite temperatures outside that hovered around 10 degrees) -- the security service that monitors my house indicated that had the temperature droped 3 more degrees it would have set off the "temperature drop" alarm system.
I really respected the crews who had to work to get our neighborhood back online -- our neighborhood was laid out in the late 1930s, and the electric service runs along the back of our lots -- but no alley so access with any kind of equipment is far from easy. It also seems that almost every house in our neighborhood has at least one large tree -- mine has a huge Cottonwood and four Sweet Gums.
My house is less than two blocks from a major traffic light controlled intersection, and in the 44 hours without power there wasn't a serious collision at that intersection.
I am sure that we are all joining you in looking forward to Summer -- I know that I can't wait for the first convertible day!
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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03-08-2007, 08:01 PM
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#28
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Stray
1987 32' Excella
1978 28' Argosy 28
Springfield
, Missouri
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 314
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John,
We had similiar conditions here in Springfield a few weeks back. Don't guess I know the "A" company you work for, but there were many like you who came to our city from all over the country to help our locals restore power and clean up destroyed trees. Power is all restored but the company contracted to remove debris probably has another two months of work. Many of my neighbors and acquaintences were without power for up to 14 days. My hats off to you and all the others like you who do what you do. You're much appreciated.
__________________
Stray
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03-08-2007, 08:22 PM
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#29
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
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Bad timing
Thanks John,
Can you believe it....I have the truck loaded and leaving for Battle Creek, Iowa, in the A.M. It was 71 here in Texas today. I may regret this reverse Spring Break trip.
P.S. This week I got all the Harleys cleaned up, running, lisenced, insured (still leak oil) ready for my return.
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03-08-2007, 09:39 PM
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#30
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4 Rivet Member
2005 30' Safari
Chandler
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 497
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I lived in Iowa for 12 years......thanks for reminding me why I like the desert....BTW spring training is in full swing... forecast for Saturday and Sunday 92 degrees....a bit hot a bit early but....no snow..
__________________
AZstreamin
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."- Mark Twain
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03-08-2007, 09:53 PM
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#31
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Rivet Master
1967 22' Safari
MILAN
, Illinois
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,013
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Pigs!
Quote:
Originally Posted by john hd
day 3, more broken stuff, reinforcements arrive and saw some pigs! it is iowa after all!
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Be very,very careful Pilgrim. Some farmers take offense to calling their women folk Pigs! LOL! Ed
__________________
1967 Safari Twin "Landshark" w/International trim package
2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab SLE
FORUMS MEMBER SINCE 12/16/2004AIR#7110
"My tire was thumping, I thought it was flat. When I looked at the tire, I noticed your CAT!" Burma Shave
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03-08-2007, 09:57 PM
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#32
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Rivet Master
2021 27' Globetrotter
Saint Louis
, Missouri
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,107
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So John,
How was the skiing?
__________________
Dennis
BRN #20321 Air #4056
"Oooh - They have the Internet on computers now!" - Homer Simpson
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03-09-2007, 01:28 AM
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#33
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_
.
, .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
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good pics john...
i'm not sure june is that much better...
http://www.airforums.com/forum...ed-17997.html?
cheers
2air'
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
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03-09-2007, 03:09 AM
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#34
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
1986 31' Sovereign
1975 25' Tradewind
1967 17' Caravel
Sherfield English
, Hampshire
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 700
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OK John! You've talked me out of it!
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03-09-2007, 04:41 AM
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#35
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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not all of the numbers are in yet but this is a sample.
2000 transmission poles broken
1000 distrubution poles broken
53% of all iowa customers in our service territory lost power at some time during the week. some were out for over 7 days (that would be most we saw)
it took 100+ big A linemen from wisconsin, 200 linemen from outside companies, and 500 contractors from all over the united states. furthest away i saw was a crew from virginia.
the guys from down south were really suffering as they are not used to the cold.
so far we have spent over half our budget for material for the year, thats for the entire company in one weeks time.
we call iowa the state of tolerance, as roger pointed out people were great and would stop by the job site to drop off hot coffee and rolls since we usually got to eat twice a day. 5:30 am and after 9 pm each day.
john
__________________
you call them ferrets, i call them weasels.
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03-09-2007, 04:59 AM
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#36
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Moderator Emeritus
1972 31' Sovereign
High Springs
, Florida
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 2,311
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A couple of my neighbors that work for contractors went up to St. Louis after the last "Big One" up there, a few weeks ago. They had called in about 3 times the manpower they needed, so their crew only did one transformer job, then came all the way back to Florida. They were really mad! Company they worked for lied and cheated them out of money. Several trucks did not have operating heaters. They were back in 3 days.
__________________
ARS WA8ZYT
2003 GMC 2500HD 4X4 D/A Ext. Cab
Propane Powered Honda EU2000i
Lots of Hot Sauce!
Air # 283
WBCCI 1350
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03-09-2007, 07:51 AM
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#37
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Rivet Master
1993 30' Excella
whitewater
, north of cheddar curtain
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,259
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Quote:
Originally Posted by john hd
day 3, more broken stuff, reinforcements arrive and saw some pigs! it is iowa after all!
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john, are you sure those arent ferrets?......
norby
__________________
Illegitimous noncarborundum(dont let the bastards wear you down)
The only true nobility is found through giving good food to your friends- Anton Careme
beauty is in the eye of the beerholder-cosmo fishhawk
if something is too good to be true, its usually gone before i get there-mister boffo
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03-09-2007, 08:06 AM
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#38
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4 Rivet Member
1953 25' Cruiser
Canton
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: 1953 25' Cruiser
Posts: 324
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From One Who Knows
After the initial Hurricane Katrina cleanup and restoration of power, it was said that the line crews were the most organized and prepared of all the groups providing relief.
Other groups have now used them as a model for emergency response.
You guys are the greatest!!!!
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03-09-2007, 03:36 PM
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#39
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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Quote:
Originally Posted by norbert
john, are you sure those arent ferrets?......
norby
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no norb, the smell is a dead give away!
john
__________________
you call them ferrets, i call them weasels.
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03-09-2007, 08:43 PM
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#40
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Rivet Master
1963 19' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Orion
, Illinois
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 714
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Thanks for the good work. I live in Moline and we had parts of the city without power for over a week because the damage was so bad.
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