We are here on my back porch, savoring our mugs of organically & shade-grown, fair-trade, French-Roast coffee. I am, at least, savoring the week to come, ‘though Boomer may be of a differing opinion.
From Boomer’s point of view, this week could have had a miserable start. Over the weekend, MnDOT (Minnesota Department of Transportation) closed down the intersection of MN 280 & I94 to expand the number of traffic lanes for this critical detour around the downed I35W river bridge.
Then came the drought-easing rains—all weekend! This could have prevented the planned reopening of the intersection at 5am this morning. If it didn’t open there would have been a traffic headache of epic proportions. At last word, our MnDOT folks worked through the night after the rain subsided, and the intersection should be open. Who says state workers just lean on their shovels?
Boomer is also, amazingly enough, of fast-tracking necessary improvements—he managed to complete ALL his yard work Friday evening! This allowed us both to work on “Danger Bay” graphics. Some of which (we managed to get ahead of the story a bit) you may see here. This includes the debut of Sarah Cooper, who joins fellow AR luminaries Maggic Dokic & Ines Hegedus-Garcia at Danger Bay.
Well, its back to the drawing board—er—drawing software for me, and off to work (LOL) for Boomer. Have great Monday, and we’ll stop back here from time-to-time today.
Jay & Boomer
Goodness. From what we see in the news, Minnesota folks have flooding rains.
The bridge incident spurred Virginia Department of Transportation to "inspect" bridges in the state. They cited 9 in Loudoun County as questionable. They cited 5 as being obsolete. I drove to one yesterday that they cited as functionally obsolete. It has already been replaced with a culvert and new road. It would appear that VDOT is relyone on old information.
The government surely do not know what is going on. They declare falling bridges as safe and label as obsolete bridges that have already been replaced.
Sarah: You're welcome! ;-)
Lenn: MnDOT's original bridge report also showed replaced bridges as deficient..but noted that they had been replaced. The new reports are accurate. Southern Minnesota was hit hard (something I didn't know before I posted), in places receiving 17 1/2" in 24 hour - possibly a state record. Numerous washouts and six fatalities attributed to the storms. More coming today.
Jay
Doesn't seem fair that you are having too much rain while here in CA we have had almost none....2.5 inches.. wish we could trade a little..
Al: We've had a hot, humid yet dry summer thus far, many days in the mid to high 90's.
Lysa: Yeah--in a perfect world--but then...
George: Funny, yet interesting point. Except I created ALL the non-AR townspeople. ;-) I don't claim to be a fine writer of fiction--but I think I can squeeze some controversy out of the folks in Danger Bay! Thanks George.
Jay
Me--me--me--me! I share Jay's liking for this concoction!
Jack
I had the pleasure of traversing the new 5 lane stretch of 94 when it opened Monday morning without its new stripes. It was quite an interesting experience as many were confused about where the lanes were! Thankfully the lanes are now marked albeit it is still confusing to drive on the shoulder!
That lovely 62 degrees was so humid I had to have my car air conditioner going in order to keep the windows defogged. I tried the heat but the windows remained foggy! So I froze to death, but was able to see clearly.
17.5 inches of rain is unreal. I lived in Mankato before they put in the huge dikes on the river there. We experienced a flash flood where all the water washed down the roads from the hills on which Mankato is built. The river overflowed its banks and the subsequent mud sliding was extremely destructive. The huge walk-in refrigerator at a pizza place was just pushed over. No big deal to that kind of force. The big river bank dikes were built shortly thereafter and the water rushing down the hills no longer meets water coming over the river banks. Its quite the site to see now.
Bonnie: I've avoided the 280/94 interchange during the course of my workday, I've been able to find plenty of alternate routes for making my deliveries. I've not been to Mankato in many years, I should pay a visit.
Boomer