So, this guy's neighbor says an excavator has been sitting in his woods for sixteen years, and he wants it to leave. What a deal, if you have the skills to pull it off!
The Big Sur coastline in CA is world renowned for how scenic it is. The coastal range does literally come crashing down into the Pacific ocean. The highway is cut in the mountain slopes and, because the bedrock is highly fractured, is often blocked by landslides. The slide in 1983 was a grand daddy, estimated to be nearly three million cubic yards of rock and dirt. It had been announced that the highway would be closed for one year.
A well known and loved local man was part of the excavation crew to clear the roadbed. While 'Skinner' Pierce was near the top of the slide, a second slide occurred. He rode his D-8 cat all the way to the bottom where he and the machine were buried in debris. His body was never found.
After many failed attempts to salvage the big cat, it was announced that anyone who could get it out could have it. The man who did get himself a free Caterpillar D-8 did so by doing what none of the other attempts had tried. He simply waited until a 'king' tide (highest of the high tides which happen only in January and August) then drove out along the beach, cutting track where need be then to get back to the highway where it dipped to near sea level. IIRC, surprisingly not much had to be done to put them -8 back to fine order.
I am so loquacious because this story isn't only about a machine but about the men who drive them. Skinner was much loved and highly respected in my small town.
Why can't I have a nice neighbor with a 150 horse Case steam engine stuck in the woods behind his house? I know, but it would be very nice.
ReplyDeleteThere's always hope! I have found a few good ones, just not recently.
ReplyDeleteThe Big Sur coastline in CA is world renowned for how scenic it is. The coastal range does literally come crashing down into the Pacific ocean. The highway is cut in the mountain slopes and, because the bedrock is highly fractured, is often blocked by landslides. The slide in 1983 was a grand daddy, estimated to be nearly three million cubic yards of rock and dirt. It had been announced that the highway would be closed for one year.
ReplyDeleteA well known and loved local man was part of the excavation crew to clear the roadbed. While 'Skinner' Pierce was near the top of the slide, a second slide occurred. He rode his D-8 cat all the way to the bottom where he and the machine were buried in debris. His body was never found.
After many failed attempts to salvage the big cat, it was announced that anyone who could get it out could have it. The man who did get himself a free Caterpillar D-8 did so by doing what none of the other attempts had tried. He simply waited until a 'king' tide (highest of the high tides which happen only in January and August) then drove out along the beach, cutting track where need be then to get back to the highway where it dipped to near sea level. IIRC, surprisingly not much had to be done to put them -8 back to fine order.
I am so loquacious because this story isn't only about a machine but about the men who drive them. Skinner was much loved and highly respected in my small town.
Rick