It’d be hard to exaggerate the difference between the weather we enjoyed yesterday on The Mountain and conditions today. Big storms overnight — including one that brought a destructive EF2 tornado to within ten miles of our homesite — were followed by a cold front that dropped temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees.
What just 24 hours ago was 77°F and sunny with a gentle breeze today became 40°F and gloomy, made even less tolerable by a stiff northwest wind.
The drilling crew was already at work when we rolled up the road. Steam rose from the hole. A wide stream of thick, chalk-gray cuttings flowed from behind the rig and across the road. The latter, though it’s a mess right now, will improve the road surface when it (eventually) dries — dolostone and water make cement.
We traded the Ranger for the Silverado today, setting up above the worksite on the driveway to watch the proceedings. Deb checked in with the boss and learned that the drill head had reached 420 feet without yet finding water. Just after 1pm he walked up to our truck and reported that they’d be calling it a day around 2pm, having run out of 20-foot “stems.”
The drilling stopped today at 620 feet. Still no water. That’s not unexpected.
They’ll be back on the job early tomorrow morning. We’ll be there, too.
If you don’t mind, I’ll close today with what may be good news for Yellville and one of its small businesses. As you may remember, Carolyn’s Razorback Ribs suffered a fire in November. The owners expected the restaurant to be closed for a few months while undergoing repairs.
Complications with insurance coverage left the business without the money to rebuild. Fundraisers were held but barely made a dent in what was needed. Sadly, it looked like Carolyn’s would be closed for good.
Driving by on our way to The Mountain the last couple of days, we’ve noticed distinctive green ServPro vans parked outside the little BBQ joint. That’s the first activity we’ve seen there since the week after the fire, and though Carolyn’s official Facebook page has been mum, we’re optimistic that repairs have begun.
We have our fingers firmly crossed.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath
#LetsGoBrandon #FJB