Well Thursday was a good day we did what is called AK line construction day. On this day we have to relearn ourselves and also teach the rookies how to dig line in Alaska. In Alaska their are 3 different types of line construction. We started with the Tundra blocks. Tundra blocks means that we use our Polaski to dig a trench about 8-10 inches wide and about 15 ft long. We then pull back on the tundra mat like you are pulling back on sod. We then take what we rolled up and place in organic material down right next to the ditch. So when you are done you should have a ditch that is 8-10 inches wide and 15 ft long. Then you do it right next to the next person and you will have one contunous line that has no organic materials in it. Then we went on to learn how to do dig line in tusocks. And let me tell you that that stuff sacks ass. I mean not only are you digging in 3 incehes of water but then when you move all the organic material away you are left with about 8 inches of water. And on a hot day Swisher says that all the water will evaproate and leave a muddy mess that the fire will not be able to cross. But I think that he just said that so we would have to keep digging. Which Sucked. But then we went and did PT again and that was a little more on the painful side. We did a nice and easy run through the Golf course but stop every hour or so to do, what else, Push -ups and situps. Man was I hurting after 100 situps and 55 pushups where we had to hold the last one halfway down....that was painful. Then go running again and keep doing that for about 4 miles or so. Then run back to base and do some pullups and dips. wow were we worked or what. I think that was the attempt to show people how hard this crew will be this summer and if you want to leave now then do it.
The next day friday was a relaxed day where we had to climpb Birch hill again which totally sucked but that is the best thing for me to get ready for the hiking that we will be doing in the lower 48. So even if it hurts it is good to get ready early. And as for the day we were in a Aviation Safety course. It is imparitive for hotshots to take this course at least once every 3 years because we are in all sorts of air transportaions through out the season especially up here in Alaska. So that was a good course to take for us and quite easy.
Durign the day we did what is called "the flip" which is where both of the crew bosses from each crew get together and flip and 50 cent piece to see who gets to go on the first fire order. So heads you win tails you lose. And as our luck would have it we lost. So that means that Chena Hotshots will get the first fire assignmet...but really it does not mean that mauch because either they will need to crews on the fire or most likely their will be aanother fire within a day or two...so really everyone wins regardless.
That was are two weeks. During which Carroll hurt his knee on the mile and half and one of the rookies Ben Cunningham quit. But other then that the crew is ready for a fire. I think that everyone who is on a saw now is temporaily on a saw. What I mean by that is that everything will change after the first roll (meaning our first tour)
On friday night they have whats called "THe Hotshot Party" at night. To congratulate all the rookies for making it through two a days. That is where we get to have fun adn drink a lot of beer and play games that the crews put together. One is the red bag race to see who can take their tent down the fastest and put in a red bag. Pinatas to break and get manly prizes like chew and little bottles of booze and sunflower seeds. And last was the little tikes bike race. Grown man on a bike that a 2 year older would ride...the funniest thing ever. That was probably the funniest thing I have ssen in a while. the bad part about the party was that the Suns could not drink very much becasue we were going on a prescribed burn Saturday morning at 630. that was a bummer but what are you gonna do. As government employees you smile and go with it.....jsut like i will try and do the whole season.
Saturday was rough for some of us, me included...because I did have a little too much to drink the night before but at least I got to bed before midnight. Anyways that saturday was a 2 hour drive to the burn so I was able to get a couple hours of sleep in and then we started to burn around 11. We started to burn little plots of grass for a military range. This meant there could be live ammunitions in the range and test flares in the range. Not really sure what that meant we were just told to stay clear or move fast if you start to hear popping sounds. Kind of freaky but this is what I signed up for...so go with the flow is what I say. The burning lasted until about 7 at night when we then proceeded to travel back to the base. We got to base around 2230 and was able to go back to the barrracks and we had all day Sunday to recooperate. That was need by many of people. The best part about Saturday besides burning stuff all day long was when we got back to the barracks....we all got together and ordered 10 pizzas. 13 people and 10 pizzas. Needless to say we ate them with no problem at 2330. I mean we just sat there and drank beer and ate pizza. from the time everyone woke up at 600 we only had what we had food wise to eat in our rooms for breakfast and during the entire day we only had time to sit down for about 10-15 minutes to eat something. Not even time for a full meal so by the time we were back in the barracks we were F.ing starving. So we ate and ate and ate.
Sunday was a chill day I say around Icing my forearm becuase it some how swelled up on Saturday...and muscle strain or somethng. It should be going away soon and also played some horseshoes. All in all a pretty relaxing day.
Monday we found out that we are going to prep a burn area tomorrow, burn that area we preped Wednesday and then head down to Valdez on thursday. i will let you know how the prepping goes and stuff.
I hope every thing is all right back home and tell Susie I will be thinking about her on the 18th. i love all yall and dont any of you worry about me.
Love E
The next day friday was a relaxed day where we had to climpb Birch hill again which totally sucked but that is the best thing for me to get ready for the hiking that we will be doing in the lower 48. So even if it hurts it is good to get ready early. And as for the day we were in a Aviation Safety course. It is imparitive for hotshots to take this course at least once every 3 years because we are in all sorts of air transportaions through out the season especially up here in Alaska. So that was a good course to take for us and quite easy.
Durign the day we did what is called "the flip" which is where both of the crew bosses from each crew get together and flip and 50 cent piece to see who gets to go on the first fire order. So heads you win tails you lose. And as our luck would have it we lost. So that means that Chena Hotshots will get the first fire assignmet...but really it does not mean that mauch because either they will need to crews on the fire or most likely their will be aanother fire within a day or two...so really everyone wins regardless.
That was are two weeks. During which Carroll hurt his knee on the mile and half and one of the rookies Ben Cunningham quit. But other then that the crew is ready for a fire. I think that everyone who is on a saw now is temporaily on a saw. What I mean by that is that everything will change after the first roll (meaning our first tour)
On friday night they have whats called "THe Hotshot Party" at night. To congratulate all the rookies for making it through two a days. That is where we get to have fun adn drink a lot of beer and play games that the crews put together. One is the red bag race to see who can take their tent down the fastest and put in a red bag. Pinatas to break and get manly prizes like chew and little bottles of booze and sunflower seeds. And last was the little tikes bike race. Grown man on a bike that a 2 year older would ride...the funniest thing ever. That was probably the funniest thing I have ssen in a while. the bad part about the party was that the Suns could not drink very much becasue we were going on a prescribed burn Saturday morning at 630. that was a bummer but what are you gonna do. As government employees you smile and go with it.....jsut like i will try and do the whole season.
Saturday was rough for some of us, me included...because I did have a little too much to drink the night before but at least I got to bed before midnight. Anyways that saturday was a 2 hour drive to the burn so I was able to get a couple hours of sleep in and then we started to burn around 11. We started to burn little plots of grass for a military range. This meant there could be live ammunitions in the range and test flares in the range. Not really sure what that meant we were just told to stay clear or move fast if you start to hear popping sounds. Kind of freaky but this is what I signed up for...so go with the flow is what I say. The burning lasted until about 7 at night when we then proceeded to travel back to the base. We got to base around 2230 and was able to go back to the barrracks and we had all day Sunday to recooperate. That was need by many of people. The best part about Saturday besides burning stuff all day long was when we got back to the barracks....we all got together and ordered 10 pizzas. 13 people and 10 pizzas. Needless to say we ate them with no problem at 2330. I mean we just sat there and drank beer and ate pizza. from the time everyone woke up at 600 we only had what we had food wise to eat in our rooms for breakfast and during the entire day we only had time to sit down for about 10-15 minutes to eat something. Not even time for a full meal so by the time we were back in the barracks we were F.ing starving. So we ate and ate and ate.
Sunday was a chill day I say around Icing my forearm becuase it some how swelled up on Saturday...and muscle strain or somethng. It should be going away soon and also played some horseshoes. All in all a pretty relaxing day.
Monday we found out that we are going to prep a burn area tomorrow, burn that area we preped Wednesday and then head down to Valdez on thursday. i will let you know how the prepping goes and stuff.
I hope every thing is all right back home and tell Susie I will be thinking about her on the 18th. i love all yall and dont any of you worry about me.
Love E
Comments
Take care of yourself.
We love you and miss you!
Love, Mom
E