Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.
Henry David Thoreau - Walden - Conclusion
This week we had our first real snow of the year. And, at the same time, the temperatures have plummeted. Temperatures seem now to be constantly below freezing and even into the single digits. But, why not? It is winter!
The work on the tower has slowed considerably. Mick, the stone mason, has finished his work for now; he is forced, due to the temperatures, to wait for springtime temperatures. The move of the electronics and antenna elements also have apparently been put on hold until the spring; no way is anyone going to be working to transfer components for communication from one tower to the other. And even the assembly of the triple tiered stairway that reaches to the cab from the observation deck appears to have ground to a halt this week.
With the snow storm which arrived late Wednesday night and continued throughout the day on Thursday, all this is understandable. It is obvious that the road has been plowed and that vehicles have been moving inside the gate, but visual evidence of progress is certainly lacking.
Lets take a walk around the site ... before my camera freezes or its batteries run dry!
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| Overview of the Site |
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| Twin Towers in the Afternoon Sunshine |
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| Tower 1/14/12 |
From Last week we saw this view ... below
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| Tower 1/7/12 |
As I examine the two pictures, it does not appear as if anything significant has been added from last Saturday.
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| Old Glory Laying Straight in the Wind |
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| The Cold NE Corner |
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| The Sunbathed Western Wall |
As my sojourns to the summit generally take place in the early hours of the day near the time of sunrise, I seldom get to see the western and the southern sides of the site in the sunlight. But today, while the sunshine provides an inner warmth as it comes down upon us, the cold air and the blustery winds tell us otherwise.
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| South-side |
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| SE Corner |
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| Cold and Icy Eastern Facade |
One other element of the project remains a question - the hand rails that will run along the outside of the ramp and the observation platform. Nothing in site yet; nothing even on the ground.
And we took a look over the north slope; yes, the skiers are out in full force. Not a good day for construction, but a beautiful day to ski, as long as you keep your cheeks warm!
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| Skiing on Natural Snow ... Finally |
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| Snowy Road Home |
Are we finished for the "season?" We'll see in the weeks to come.
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