Rocky's bucket truck for sale

[Burnham]

That truck has been good to you, and you've been good to it. It'll take you to CO just fine. Best wishes for a smooth journey. Eat some bar-b-que on the way...that makes everything better.

[lumberjack]

Frig having to lock all our stuff down...

I agree with a Canadian, does that make me a traitor?



We'n have bbq tomorrow Brian :) Regarding your premonition, stop being such a baby, man up, and get on wit it.8) If my sight unseen chip truck could deliver me 1k miles, your truck you've had for years will surely do you just fine.

I think your hot female neighbor roughly my age might have the sticky fingers.... shall I check her out?

[Skwerl]

Julie? She works at a bank and makes more money than me, it's not her. Although I agree that the situation might call for further investigation. ;)

[lumberjack]

Well I can certainly be certain she isn't smuggling grapes. I was thinking about the bikini clad car washer, but, for the sake of thoroughness, I'll check both.

[Skwerl]

On that note I think I'm about ready to hit the road. Google maps claims over 12 hours to Carl's house so it may take me 14. I'll have plenty of time for breaks, etc. and will check back in tomorrow night from Carl's place.

At some point Justin needs to call me with his street address. :lol:

Thanks again for all the positive vibes and well wishes. Treehousers ROCK! 8):D

[squisher]

ROADTRIP!!!! Take lots of pics and don't forget to update us with your internet phone.:P



Have a safe trip Brian.

[lumberjack]

I figure Skwerl's are a natural victim to copper head snakes, or at the least they have a less than friendly relationship.

Since Mississippi is the Hospitality State, I dispatched this one on the way home. Here in MS, we call that good shootin' (center punched the noggin, 4 yards).


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/10mmsheepdog/Gun/DSC04730.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/10mmsheepdog/Gun/DSC04732.jpg

I went back to take the revolver and snake picture. Leaned the wheel gun against the body of the snake and it writhed a bit (common) but it still made me near bouts take flight. Someone ran over the tail of the snake so I cropped that out.

A common courtesy would be to offer to use your bucket to retrieve a throwbag I lost today over a city street. :)

[Frans]

Skwerl, you dummy! she looks good for further investigation thats for sure! :)

http://www.gypoclimber.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3312&d=1207100449

[Paul B]

V is gonna be happy you dispatched the serpent I betcha!

[lumberjack]

Copper heads can have a nasty bite causing some serious swelling as which can develop into more serisous necrosis.

Mom will likely soil her skivies when she sits down and 'wakes' the computer up. Two 19" screens
with the first picture as the desktop :evil:

[cybergeek23851]

You bad, bad, boy! Can I have your old Chevy Pickup when she kills you? :D



:P

[lumberjack]

I watched "Walking Tall" again this weekend and I got to really missing that truck. I was thinking it'd be great to do a retro/resto on it. Change the color and put it on 35-38"ers.

Saturday I got to ride in a similar truck to it (2wd long wheel base) that got me all nostalgic I guess.

[Stumper]

I agree with a Canadian, does that make me a traitor?

So long as it is not a French Canadian this may be excused upon presentation of a valid set of reasons.

[lumberjack]

My only reason is that if people in your local are so demoralized you have to strip your vehicle before parking it in your own driveway, they should end up like that copperhead.

Freedom is beautiful.

[Stumper]

Good enough.
Canadians aren't all bad. Paul B. is a good guy....and....um...Yeah, Paul is a good guy.:D

[Paul B]

:shifty: me, a good guy? I am flattered, but I must stand amongst my fellow canuckians when it comes to judgement day.

[vharrison]

V is gonna be happy you dispatched the serpent I betcha!


:O AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[squisher]

True North Strong and Free boys. 8)

[lumberjack]

Just talked to the Skwerl, he's about around 60 miles from my place, but he's going to stop to eat and take a nap, said he's been driving straight since 10:15 last night.

I've got a few hours of class, and a bid, but afterwards we're gonna get that throwbag I lost yesterday over the street, give me a chance to play with Justin's new bucket :)

[Chisel Tooth]

Thanks for the update Carl, get some pix of your BBQ.

[sotc]

and dont forget to update this thread!
http://gypoclimber.com/showthread.php?t=6974

[vharrison]

Carl, thanks for the update, keep us posted!

[Stumper]

Feed the Squirrel well. I hear he likes nuts.

[squisher]

I heard he was nuts :|:



:lol:

[No_Bivy]

Skewrl is MOBILE!!!
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jkApDNVZPLY&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jkApDNVZPLY&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[lumberjack]

We didn't eat bbq, we at at the Grill, he had steak (although I did mention going to the steak house as I didn't think of grillin steaks for dinner).

Him and Dad are shootin the chit in the living room presently. :)

[MasterBlaster]

How is your Dad, Carl?

[lumberjack]

Getting better as time goes on. Still can't walk all that far but in a lot less pain than a year ago :)

[vharrison]

Carl, glad to hear that. So, is Brian back on the road again?

[MasterBlaster]

...but in a lot less pain than a year ago :)

Hey, I can relate to that. Good to hear he's getting somewhat back to normal!

[lumberjack]

Carl, glad to hear that. So, is Brian back on the road again?

He's suckin down coffee, we're fixing to eat breakfast and he'll be off.

[vharrison]

How far will he get today? All the way to Justin's?

[Stumper]

Gigi, I'm witing to hear Brian's expectation but all the way here today would be pretty difficult without teleportation. " Beam him over Scotty".

[lumberjack]

He wants to knock out another 650 miles/12 hours of driving today, should be in Stumperland tomorrow.

[vharrison]

Over the river and through the woods, to Stumper's house he goes!

[sotc]

more like over the river and through the plains:D

[Thor's Hammer]

This thread is pretty damn cool. Way to go Skwerl!

[OTGBOSTON]

no pics yet:/:

[Stumper]

Brian just called from a little east of Oklahoma City. Looking good for a daylight arrival tomorrow.

[stehansen]

Thanks for the update.

[lumberjack]

Going:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/10mmsheepdog/Trees/DSC04734-1.jpg

Gone!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/10mmsheepdog/Trees/DSC04736.jpg

[MasterBlaster]

Gone! :beer:

[Paul B]

he took off like a shot after breakfast it seems, what the heck did you cook up LJ? :D

[lumberjack]

We had sausage and biscuits with gravy :)

[Paul B]

dang, that sounds like something I woulda stayed around for seconds for! :D

[okietreedude]

East of OKC???? Heck, Im not too far from there. Im north and a hair west. I thought he was going thru texass or id have invited him up here.

Dam, I could have used that bucket for a day.....given him one last 'hoorah' with it as well as some pocket money.

[lumberjack]

dang, that sounds like something I woulda stayed around for seconds for! :D

Wasn't anything left:evil:

[vharrison]

Brian just called from a little east of Oklahoma City. Looking good for a daylight arrival tomorrow.

Thanks for the update! Keep us posted!!

[Al Smith]

We had sausage and biscuits with gravy :)
Oh my,for an old country boy it doesn't get any better than that. Maybe some grits for the southern crowd, 'taters for us Yankees .:)

[sotc]

Brian just called from a little east of Oklahoma City. Looking good for a daylight arrival tomorrow.

well, is he there yet?

[Stumper]

The sneak drove straight through and pulled in around 10AM. I was supposed th be 12 miles away but had a postponement anbd so was in my driveway working on a saw before driving out to take care of a couple of"do anytime jobs. So the truck has been played with ,driven, fueled loaded with tools and Brian has been fed and sent to bed.( The Turkey booked himself into a motel before he came to the house).

[MasterBlaster]

:thumbup:

[Werks 4 da Man]

Oh my,for an old country boy it doesn't get any better than that. Maybe some grits for the southern crowd, 'taters for us Yankees .:)

I've only seen grits a couple of times. Both of those were up north.

Taters will do the trick.

Fred

[Mr. Sir]

Skwerls is sneaky like that. Glad to hear he made it there with no problems.

[rumination]

I'm happy to hear the trip was a success.

[OTGBOSTON]

wheres the pics:/::?

[OTGBOSTON]

I've only seen grits a couple of times. Both of those were up north.


Fred

Joe Peschi in My cousin Vinny...."What is a grit???"

[Paul B]

cool. glad to hear the trip so far seems uneventful. except the eating part.

sleep well Skwerl! Justin, go make some HUGE money with that truck eh! :D

[stehansen]

Good luck with the truck Justin.

[sotc]

no sleeping in the truck tonight!!

[DTW902]

Sounds like everything worked out great. Brian you should have drove threw Kansas then you could have stopped by. Then you could have flown the spider!!! :D
But you are right it is a long way across Kansas. Congrats Justin on the new to you truck. 8)

[Stumper]

Somewhere in all of this afternoon's crazyness a delivery man skated in and out and left me a block heater for the GMC.
Thank You Steve Hansen!!

[Al Smith]

Good grief he must have had the pedal to the medal. Good test for the truck.If it will pull those hills it sould be a good one .:)

[Stumper]

Actually , the 8.2 Detroit,Auto tranny and 26,000 lb truck adds up to a pretty sluggish combo.... but it stops good. Skwerl just decided to not sleep!

[vharrison]

WOW, great news! Congratulations Stump on your new truck! Brian, glad the trip went well.
Don't let the folks at the airport get to you!

[MasterBlaster]

What, no pics or nuttin?

[OTGBOSTON]

:/:

[Frans]

He is probably out rubbing the bugs offa the hood and windshield..

[MasterBlaster]

Aw, you know Brian stopped at a carwash before delivery! ;)

[sotc]

and paid for the fancy wax

[stehansen]

Somewhere in all of this afternoon's crazyness a delivery man skated in and out and left me a block heater for the GMC.
Thank You Steve Hansen!!

You're welcome Stumper. 99% chance it would have never seen any use here anyway, so I'm glad to see it put to use.

[sotc]

and dont use it for a seat warmer :lol:

[stehansen]

and dont use it for a seat warmer :lol:

Not to derail but I had a Volvo with a seat warmer at one time and I really didn't like it. That block heater really warmed things up, you could come out in the AM and the radiator would be warm to the touch.

[Al Smith]

The block heater will come in handy on a diesel in that type climate.

I had a double block heater that was factory installed on a Ford 390 gasser.Heat out of the engine after start up in about 3 minutes flat.Nice on those zero degree days .

I still have that engine as a matter of fact.Lord only knows what I'll ever do with it.Anchor for a lake freighter maybe .:?

[stehansen]

My parents had a 1969 Ford LTD with a 390 in it. That engine would spin the heck out of the tires, not that I ever did that.:)

[Skwerl]

hey everybody! I'm checking in from the motel computer. It's slow as heck and I can't upload pictures but I wanted to check in. Again I appreciate all the good mojo flowing from all my friends here. This trip would have not happened if it weren't for this forum. I'll update here with all my trip pictures after I get home next week. I broke the viewfinder screen on my camera but it still works, I just can't see what I'm taking a picture of. Luckily I have room for over 500 pics on the card so I can just take a lot and sort them later.

Justin is working me like a dog but I'm being fed well. Fishing tomorrow and some work Monday. It's all good. :D

[No_Bivy]

8)

[stehansen]

Glad to hear everything went well.

[sotc]

cool, showing him all the short cuts to using the blue beast

[Al Smith]

Glad everything worked out good.Enjoy those mountains.I miss them.

Our yearly "safari" to the Rockies on a hunting trip used to "restore my soul" sort of .:D

[MasterBlaster]

Well alrighty then! :rockon:

[Stumper]

Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera so I can't show pics of Brian storming the castle.

[vharrison]

You guys are fishing today? Lucky you!

[Ax-Man]

Congrats Brian and Justin, It is good to see a deal like this work out and have a happy ending.

Well Justin it looks you went and did the worst thing a climber can do. You went and got yourself a bucket truck. Now your spurs won't stay nice and shiny. Your climbing lines and hitch cords will last five times longer. You won't have as much to contribute to the climbing forums because now your an equipment operator.:P

I don't know if your still working alone or not but that truck will make your job easier and safer if your still doing a solo act. You will find all kinds of ways to rig a tree using that bucket, I had to fly solo for awhile and having a boom or bucket made a difference in getting jobs done. The only problem with doing a solo act is you have to make two trips with two different trucks one to cut with and another to go back and do clean-up.

Good luck with your new to you baby. I know you will treat it good and should give you many years of good service.

Does any of your competition have a bucket ???

[Stumper]

Thanks Larry. Actually all of my competitors except Lowball Dave have buckets.

[rumination]

But do they have a material handling bucket? :D

[stehansen]

But do they have a material handling bucket? :D

I think not!

[Stumper]

They do not.

[MasterBlaster]

You're the only game in town!!! :rockon:

[vharrison]

So, what did you catch?

[Stumper]

We caught a lot of wind. I hooked one trout and lost it on a jump and Brian caught an F150 , trailer and 12 foot Fglass V hull.
.......but is was kinda sketchy 'cause he noodled it.

[MasterBlaster]

It's looking like a combo pizza night, eh?

[Paul B]

party on fellas! :D

[stehansen]

Is it pretty scenic where you live Stumper?

[vharrison]

Brian, good to see you on line. Are you home?

[Skwerl]

Good morning Gigi. I'm still at the motel. They have one computer available for guest use between 6-10am, and I just had to fight off a motel employee in order to gain access.

Catching the F150 was interesting. We were paddling towards the boat ramp instead of going all the way back to our launch point because the wind was whipping up so strong. The guy had the trailer backed in the water and was having a bit of trouble getting his boat on straight. He had the boat mostly loaded and started rocking it back and forth trying to adjust it on the trailer when the parking brake gave way and the truck rolled into the water. I was close enough to stand up out of the tube and grabbed the truck while he jumped up into the driver's seat. He got it started even though it was mostly in the water but he couldn't drive it forward because the back end was floating enough to where his tires just spun. Another truck and trailer backed down and one guy ran over with a short chain. I hooked the chain to the bumper and Justin hooked it to the other guy's trailer. As he started pulling out I released the boat because it was floating sideways off the trailer. Finally he got out and we reloaded his boat.

Justin and I are going to work the truck this morning. Hopefully I can show him a few tips to shorten his learning curve. I'm flying home tomorrow.

[MasterBlaster]

Has Justin ever operated a bucket before?

[Skwerl]

A rental lift a few times, I think. We played around with it in his driveway the other day.

[Al Smith]

If it doesn't have a lot of slop in the swingers ,you can thread a needle with it once you learn how to fly it .

I myself don't quite have an Altec down pat but I can fly a Hi-Ranger in my sleep .;)

That truck is going to make old Stump a lot of money.He most likely will wonder how he got by all this time without one .

[Stumper]

Mostly I watched and groundied today but i flew it for one job. Brian is amazingly fast at wrecking out a tree. I'm going to have to get used to the controls but the possibilities are amazing. We lifted out several small trees this afternoon -up and over the house to the curb. It was a good day excepet for my cut lip.-A saw kicked back and I'm not certain what hit my lip but if it was chain -thank God for chainbrakes! Just a little cut but I bled all over my shirt.

[MasterBlaster]

Dang! Don't pull a Jeff on us! Good to hear you're having fun with your new toy.

[stehansen]

Way cool Stumper. Take care of that lip. If it was the chain then it's getting awful close to the important parts of you.

[Paul B]

cool, work safe fellas!

Stumper, whatcha gonna do about the silly squirrel logo on the truck? :D

[stehansen]

cool, work safe fellas!

Stumper, whatcha gonna do about the silly squirrel logo on the truck? :D

Is it going to be replaced with the picture of a stump?:D

[squisher]

Quit trying to show off you two and work safe ;).

[sotc]

careful there lip sucker:) youll have her down in nothing flat!

[Frans]

Stumpy, take it slow... Ya got alot more responsibility now and a different skill set to learn

[vharrison]

Brian, safe travels today!

[OTGBOSTON]

Brian is amazingly fast at wrecking out a tree. .

Give it a few weeks, you'll be flying like a pro in no time, nothing to it;)

[MasterBlaster]

Just don't hurt your back. It's easy to do in a bucket.

[rumination]

Would that be from overreaching with the saw or holding too large a piece on the cut and chunk technique? I've never done bucket work.

[MasterBlaster]

Yep. That and operating any type of stick saw.

[Skwerl]

I've found that the biggest cause of a sore back when in a bucket is not getting high enough to reach your work. I've seen lots of guys stop 1'-2' short and reach over their heads to make cuts. Justin knows to get up and keep the work at waist-chest height and that will prevent a lot of back aches. I reach out a lot but it doesn't bother me very often.

One of our jobs yesterday was removing a limb over a service drop. There was a vehicle parked on the street in my preferred setup spot so we had to set up underneath another line (a single power wire feeding a street light). It was a good opportunity for Justin to practice maneuvering around an obstacle to reach the target. I think he's going to have lots of success with this truck. His situation here in Canon City will allow him to utilize the two separate trucks (bucket and chip truck) without a lot of hassle.

He has a firewood guy that is like the Tim Taylor of firewood processing. Harry has the ultimate Binford log splitter and the biggest firewood processor ever made. Harry will come to the job and pick up logs, AND he pays for them as well!

I'm heading for the airport in a couple hours and will be home tonight. Looking forward to getting home and back on my own computer. I'll be back to catch up on the forum then.

[MasterBlaster]

I've found that the biggest cause of a sore back when in a bucket is not getting high enough to reach your work. I've seen lots of guys stop 1'-2' short and reach over their heads to make cuts.


Yep, that's how you frig yourself up for sure!

[Frans]

I put plywood sides on the bucket I ran to make it higher. This seemed to help my back.
I guess it depends on how tall you are and how tall the bucket is made

[MasterBlaster]

Plywood sides on a bucket? I can't pitcher that...

[Frans]

Plywood sides on a bucket? I can't pitcher that...

I just cut two pieces which were the same width as the bucket but stuck up higher by about a foot.

That way the top edge of the bucket was closer to my armpits and prevented me from tweaking my lower back.

Some buckets are made deeper but this one was shallow

[MasterBlaster]

I don't think I'd want it up to my armpits I tellya whut!

[Ax-Man]

I wouldn't like that either. I have been in a few other buckets other than my own and to me they are too confining as it is. Even the the so called two man buckets seem a little restrictive.

This is why I have always liked the metal cage on my old Elliott boom. At least you can walk around a little in it and it is about waist high, plus we can carry tools on the floor and sides and still have room to spare. This is one of the many reasons why on hang on to the old girl ,plus it is customised for the way we do tree removals with all the different rig points I have on it. I don't think I would be happy with a regular type bucket. It is all in what you are used to I guess pro and cons like anything else

[Skwerl]

Yup, I wouldn't like the taller sides either. I normally like about 4"-6" of mulch in the bottom of the bucket to get me up higher in the bucket. If the sides were up to my armpits then I'd have no choice but to work over my head and that would be much more dangerous as well as making my back hurt more.

I'm back home sweet home. Uneventful and boring plane trip, exactly the way it's supposed to be. I think I am going to have to rank this trip as one of the more successful TreeHouse Road Trips of all time. Getting to spend a little time with Carl and Justin, as well as completing a successful transaction that will hopefully be very beneficial for Justin has been an absolute treat.
:)

[okietreedude]

Back inthe days of bucket operation, I had a bucket w/ a basket large enough that an echo w/ 12" bar would fit straight across when on the floor.

I wouldnt like the heightened sides either.

I also liked a clean floor. I hated slipping around on the sawdust. I dumped the basket almost daily.

I cant wait until the day comes I get some stuff paid off and can get me a bucket. I do a lot of window shopping on tree trader. :)

Good to hear you got home safely. Like I said above, it i would have known you were coming thru OK, I could have put you to work w/ it. Made you some pocket money to cover your fuel. Oh well, maybe next time!

[Skwerl]

Actually, I like the layer of sawdust to prevent slipping. Seems like an empty (or almost empty) bucket makes for slick and unsure footing. A good solid layer of mulch acts like a rug in the bottom of the bucket and provides cushion as well as traction. And I like the extra reach as well... ;)

[MasterBlaster]

I have a thick rubber pad in the one I operate. I got it off a job, it works great.

[Stumper]

Here is a pic of Brian craning out a section of Cottonwood top to the chipper.

[MasterBlaster]

Day-um!

[Stumper]

The suffering.

[stehansen]

I like 3" or so of sawdust/debris in my bucket to put me at the right height to lean out of it. Glad your trip went well Brian. What's up with driving the last two legs of the trip all at once? I think I've said this before but I'll say it again Justin good luck with the truck. Hope everything goes well and it makes you tons of money.

[squisher]

Just awesome man. Seeing that pic sure makes me want a material handler. 8)

Congrats again to both y'all.

[top hopper]

Did ya catch any fish Brian?

[stehansen]

What's the water temp in the lake there?

[Skwerl]

No fish were harmed or disturbed, and the water was very cold (for a Floridian). That white stuff you see in the background is snow. :lol:

I just checked my camera and I have about 100 pictures from the trip. Looks like most of them came out in spite of the fact that I cracked the LCD display screen on the camera last week. I'll sort, resize and post some of them tomorrow.

[sotc]

i bet justin was drooling when he saw you pick that and set it by the chipper!! i like a clean floor also

[Paul B]

I thought maybe he set you up with the leaky floater, you know, take truck seller to the lake to go 'fishing', somehow the floridian goes 'missing' after the transfer papers have been signed....

:)

[Al Smith]

Oh Lawdy we used to get ice in the floor of the danged bucket in cold weather.No matter if you had the cover on or not it found it's way in .

Now that isn't real cool when you are "gloving" 4160 in the primaries .:what:

You can't thump it out with a hammer because you take a chance of breaking that cold fiberglass . Dump in a coffee can full of sand and clean -er out when it warms up. All you could do .

[vharrison]

I think I am going to have to rank this trip as one of the more successful TreeHouse Road Trips of all time. Getting to spend a little time with Carl and Justin, as well as completing a successful transaction that will hopefully be very beneficial for Justin has been an absolute treat.
:)

Thanks for letting us be a part of it!

[Skwerl]

I still haven't sorted and resized all the pics but here's a good one of Justin with his new truck. :)

[MasterBlaster]

He looks like a Happy Camper

[Frans]

Maybe the higher sides helped me with my back pains. Also depends on how tall you are. I am no midget

[Skwerl]

I have sorted through the trip pictures. Some are repetitive but I was shooting blind without a preview screen. Some of them might fit in other threads better but they are all tied to my trip to deliver the truck to Justin so I'm posting them here.

I left home last Tuesday night. I got to my father's cabin in Eufaula about daybreak on Wednesday but he wasn't there. Looks like he's got the driveway poured and is about finished building the freestanding garage. I passed one of those line clearance disc cutters somewhere in AL, got to Carl's place mid afternoon. Carl fed me and put me up for the night. Thursday morning I saw some Mississippi style pruning. The west half of Mississippi is quite flat.

[Skwerl]

My first time driving over the Mississippi River. It's huge! Then I turned slightly North and headed through Little Rock, picking up I-40 West. I think that's the Arkansas river there. The headwaters of the Arkansas River are about 80 miles NW from Justin's place in Colorado.

[Skwerl]

In western Arkansas I saw what first looked like lakes, but they were flooded crop fields. I found a few foothills (the Ozarks), then Oklahoma. You've heard that there's nothing but steers and queers in Oklahoma? Well, there might be a sliver of truth in that. I stopped at a rest stop to use the bathroom and some fat dude in a suit and wing tips propositioned me while I was using the urinal. I about peed down my leg getting my pants zipped back up, and the guy was still standing there by the men's room door as I drove off. :O



(no offense to Okietreedude or any other forum members from Oklahoma) 8)

[Old Monkey]

Are you sure you weren't tapping your feet while peeing.

[Skwerl]

I drove straight through the night, figured I'd make better time driving straight through. Western OK is fairly sparse and I wasn't anxious to interact with more Oklahomans. ;) I did stop about 4am in the middle of nowhere and shut off the truck for a few minutes to get out and look at the stars. Even without a moon visible, the sky was completely illuminated by stars. Absolutely amazing, I spent some time reflecting on my miniscule part of this vast universe.

Daybreak was beautiful. I passed a place called Twin Peaks or something like that, and a wind farm. Those windmills are a LOT bigger than you think. No, they are even bigger than that. You're still not close, bigger. ;)

[Skwerl]

Finally got into Colorado and headed West on route 50. From the plains, the first thing you can see to the west is Pike's Peak. Colorado Springs is at the base of it. As I got closer, I saw more of the mountain range. First snow I've seen in many years.

[Burnham]

Rollin', rollin', rollin'...:D

[Skwerl]

Got to Canon City and the motel about 11am. I tried to check in but it was too early and the room wasn't ready yet, so I rolled over to Justin's house 4 blocks away. He was working on a saw on his tailgate when I pulled in. We set up the truck and he got his first ride. :D

Saturday we did a small removal without the bucket truck (previous commitment for a construction super) and then Justin took me to see a castle up in the mountains. 9100 feet elevation or something like that. This crazy old dude has built this castle by himself. :O He's definitely some sort of genius, but I think his cheese has slid off the cracker. :lol:

[Skwerl]

More castle pictures. The chimney goes up and exhausts out the dragon's mouth. There's an elevator as well as multiple stairways. I climbed up to the top of the tallest tower, quite a view.

[Skwerl]

On the way down the mountain we stopped so I could play in the snow. :P We saw mountain goats and deer as well.

[Skwerl]

Sunday Justin took me fishing. Monday I got a picture of a storm moving over Canon City and one last shot of Justin with the truck. Monday he dropped me off at the airport. One last shot of the mountains from the gate at Colorado Springs airport, and a picture of boats riding around in the Gulf of Mexico as I cruised overhead from Houston to Orlando.

The End. :|:

[top hopper]

Cool pics Brian!

Looks like a good time was had by you and Justin.

Funny how you had to stop and frolic in the snow! You didnt make a snow angel?

[Skwerl]

No snow angel, it was fairly hard packed and I wasn't dressed for getting all wet.

More good news today, when leaving the job this morning my missing GPS slid out from under the passenger seat of the bucket truck! I was hoping it would show up, so I was able to return the other one to Target and I got a full refund on it.

[MasterBlaster]

That's a lotta pics!

[Skwerl]

You always encourage us to post more pics, so I did. :P

[Paul B]

really cool, Skwerl!

how did the GPS perform? It might have been posted already but what brand/model didja use?

[sotc]

awesome brian, thanks for sharing the trip

[Skwerl]

Willie, you're welcome. The trip would have never happened if not for you guys. :)

Paul, I used the basic Garmin Nuvi 200. The one I bought and lost just before the trip is a Nuvi 350. Same maps and navigation capability but a few more options and extras. The Garmin worked fine but kept trying to route me through more populated areas. The best part is that it always kept me informed of exactly where I was, how fast I was going, distance to my target location and estimated time of arrival. If I skipped a turn or made an unscheduled turn, it instantly recalculated my route from my current location. It could also search for motels, fuel or food available along my route. I felt totally comfortable with it and was never concerned about getting lost.

[Paul B]

cool, thanks RJS.

[stehansen]

Thanks Skwerl and Stumper. I have never heard that expression cheese has slid off his cracker. Pretty good. There was a series of articles a couple of years ago in the local paper here about the highway reststop "scene".

[squisher]

That was awesome you get a 'A' for documentation. 8)

[Frans]

Hey thank for taking the time to post pix of your trip. I always like to see different areas of the country.

Too bad we cannot see what that sign says from the castle guy:

'Notice to all law enforcement and citizens'


I am curious as to what that guys outlook on life is all about.

[Stumper]

Frans, Jim Bishop has signs all over the place up there. Essentially they boil down to "This is my property. I am a free man. I don't need no stinking permits and inspections from bureaucrats that can't even concieve of what I am building. The IRS can kiss my backside. The sheriff stole my gun. Enter at your own risk. Friends are welcome. Government toadies and taxcollectors go away."

[Al Smith]

There was a series of articles a couple of years ago in the local paper here about the highway reststop "scene". Brian isn't mean enough looking.By Gawd I am.That clown would have been spitting teeth .:what:

[rumination]

Thanks for the pictures Brian, and a great narration to go with them. I'm glad you had a smooth and successful trip.

[Skwerl]

Here you go, Frans. I went back and cropped the full size images so you can still read the signs.

[No_Bivy]

dude is building a castle?

[Skwerl]

yup, look at the pics on posts 396 and 397. 8)

[No_Bivy]

wild...nice pics Brian

[vharrison]

Fun stuff Brian, thanks for sharing the pictures!

[sotc]

thanks, i was wondering what they said also

[squisher]

Wow those dudes are righteous, good for them.

[Skwerl]

Well, it looks like the truck is sold. :D Justin and I have some logistics to work out, but I should be able to deliver it to him in a week or two. I'm going to drive it out there and then fly back home (Damn, I hate flying).

The Treehouse rocks!!! :big-hang-loose::big-dance2::boogie::rockon::big-jump::dance:

I thought I would bump this ultra-cool thread. 8)

[Paul B]

That' why we hardly see him anymore, he is too busy in the bucket!

[MasterBlaster]

Yo, I can dig it.

[CurSedVoyce]

The funny thing was I went and read this whole thread right before we had the culling. It is certainly an Ultra cool thread. :thumbup:

[Stumper]

I worked with the ultracool bucket this afternoon. I climbed and wrecked out a maple this morning and then pruned an elm from the bucket this afternoon. Hmm, no wonder I'm tired.:)

[stehansen]

I just read through the whole thing.

[MasterBlaster]

Crikey! How long did that take???

[Tree Reb]

I'll let you know by Saturday.:lol:

[stehansen]

I'm not sure how long it took. I think almost a hour.