Road Rogue: October 2013

While taking a day ride with a friend around the VA, NC, TN corner of the universe a couple of weeks ago, we were held up along a single lane mountain track by a power line crew who was having their line trimmed by helicopter. It was to be a 30 minute wait so we were invited to watch a bit of the action. Where else would we go?? The helicopter hovered just a few feet above the trees while it dangled a 30' powered saw bar. Just like a giant hedge trimmer, only vertical! It looked pretty risky and expensive, but the ground crew said that 6 hours of aerial trimming saved about 30 days of ground work. I wondered who would be crazy enough to take that job? But wouldn't you know, in my excitement to see, I left my camera in my tank bag.

Fast forward 5 days and we were riding along the same road (a great place to see fall colors) and surprise of surprises! There is the chopper and blade parked in a clearing for maintenance. The crew saw us trying to take photos from the road and summoned us for a closer look. I actually got to meet the crazy pilot - he's the one polishing the tail fin.

I also went on line and found the power company had created a short video. Pix and link to the video are attached. Enjoy! We sure did!