We joined the host church for Sunday morning worship. The congregation were asking each other how they had fared in the storm, how long they were without power, and how they were managing to communicate without internet or phone lines. This represented the community. I felt that it was a privilege and honor that we have been blessed with the time, skills, and energy such that we could bless them, shining Jesus’s light in their post-storm darkness.
After worship, we headed back to Gulf Breeze and split the crew between two jobs. I worked with the crew at the first house which was a technical takedown. A large tree towered over an air conditioner and an old water well, right next to the house. The homeowner was a local pastor who had already cleared a huge oak that fell in their back yard and much of the tree over their air conditioner, as well as helping several members of his church, but he was not confident enough to tackle the technical stuff. He was happy to leave the big stuff to us, especially as it was a brand new air conditioner!
Matt and Todd climbed the tree and used the opportunity to teach the rest of us about rigging. It was tough working in a confined space, between the house and the fence, while needing to prevent the large limbs from hitting the AC and water wellhead. The tree limbs were safely cut and lowered by either negative blocking, using a rope to control the cut limb’s descent, or cutting small enough “cookies” that could be thrown into a drop zone. The work was methodical and safe and the AC was never at risk! As a thank you, the homeowner’s daughters baked us home made cookies and the family wrote the warmest of thank you notes. The end of my day was rewarded by a Blue Angels flyover.
We attended worship with Hillcrest Baptist Church. I found it touching that we sang about being a light in the darkness.Our morning meeting. Our trucks were now parked in a dirt parking lot, allowing church members and staff to use the regular parking as normal church activities had resumed.We enjoyed eating our lunch after the homeowner led us in prayer.Matt and Todd assessed the trees and worked out how to climb and cut them safely without hitting the AC unit.Matt rigged up a block on a neighboring tree that would be used to control the lowering of the limb. Note the portawrap at the bottom of the tree, tied on with a loopie. Spot the person cutting a limb!Matt and Todd stood on the roof to cut some of the tree.Todd picked up the cut piece to throw into a safe drop zone on the ground.Todd created a shower of wood chips as he cut another limb.Spot the limb hanging by the rope. Todd had just cut it.Todd wore special tree climbing spurs.Matt pushed the recently cut limb so that it could be lowered into a safe space.Todd made the next cut. One of very many!As the limbs got bigger, the saw got bigger!This picture captured the moment that Todd finished cutting the trunk, just before the rope it was attached to caused it to swung to the right, away from the air conditioner.With less tree remaining, we used the mini skid steer, driven by Charlie, to assist in pulling down the limb cut by Matt. Tension on the rope between the skid steer and the trunk ensured that it fell towards the skid steer.The final trunk was felled, cut by Matt and assisted by Charlie on the skid steer.An after photo. The pipework in the foreground was the water wellhead, and it was unscathed.Another after photo. Air conditioner unscathed! Robert holds a “cookie” that we gave to the home owners.The homeowner’s daughters gave us homemade cookies.The homeowner’s family wrote the most amazing thank you note. I’ve blacked out last names for privacy.As I walked from our vehicle to the church, I was treated to this fly past by the Blue Angels, who are based in Pensacola.
"Cajunlimeys" combines Lousiana (Janet) and Britain (Peter). British sailors in the 19th century were nicknamed "limeys" as they drank lime juice to prevent scurvy. However, while Janet is a fine cook, she has no Cajun blood, but the name fit.
We love adventures and use blogging to write a photo diary to preserve our memories. Some crazy friends enjoy following us, and my notes might help others plan.
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