Last weekend they hauled some big rocks and a lot of dirt from the big culvert:
And a tiny bit of light was shining in from the far end (circled in white in the photo):
This weekend four people, including Andy, hauled out more rocks and dirt.
The light at the far end was growing bigger. The rope in the picture was attached to a little cart that hauled the dirt out:
And finally, success!
It sometimes take a lot of work to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Have you ever noticed that?
Update: Andy installed a stake in front of the culvert to prevent further big rocks from going in. It sometimes helps to be proactive. (But there are no guarantees. :))
Oh Yes, I wait a lot for “the light at the end of the tunnel”.
I have indeed. And then it is a matter of just seeing.
Yeah! Success! I have always heard that it is important to make sure it is the light at the end of the tunnel and not the light of an oncoming train…reminds me of that ride at Disney :).
bikehikebabe,
Have you had any luck waiting?
Evan,
Agreed. A lot of people wouldn’t recognize it.
Kaitlin,
Fortunately we don’t have to worry about trains up there. We have problems enough without them. 😀
That’s an awful lot of debris you cleared out of the culvert. Without the clean-out, it wouldn’t have been much use in a flood, I guess.
Nick,
This is what happened to the road when the culvert plugged up. And it’s what we’re trying to avoid if we have heavy rains again this summer.
As I write this, I can’t see the light at the end of my tunnel! But I know that suddenly the light will flood in on its own.
Being patient, waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel, is good so I won’t worry when I have no control. (I used to worry & I found out that things most always turn out OK.)
You managed to get that massive boulder out! I was gobsmacked to see it lodged in there last week. “How?”, I wondered.
And immediately thought, “You’re going to need a bigger boat.”
>It sometimes take a lot of work to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Have you ever noticed that?
– Sometimes? Always, Jean!
>Andy installed a stake in front of the culvert to prevent further big rocks from going in.
– Good thinking!
Kate
I see what you mean. That’s some serious damage to the road!
Jean,
I like the way you set up the post to teach how hard it may be to see light at the end of the tunnel. Nice analogy.
It is hard to see it but it is also worth it. The problem starts when we begin to get distracted with the hardship of the process instead of focusing in the purpose and in the main goal.
Cheers
i have awaited many lights through many tunnels! and like the child shoveling through the manure to find the pony…
it’s usually been there! lol.
and monk…
thanks for the link back to kaitlin’s and torben’s wedding.
i had read it before but enjoyed going back and re reading it all over again. yes. it was a magical event!
Rummuser,
It’s clear your situation will resolve itself in time. Remembering your Rule #6 will no doubt make the time pass more pleasantly.
bikehikebabe,
Not worrying about things we have no control over is always a good strategy.
Kate,
Yes that was one massive flash flood last year. It will be interesting to see what happens this summer.
It sounds as if you take a more active approach in life than simply waiting for the light to appear. That was definitely the approach needed here. That culvert would never have cleaned itself out. One of my favorite quotes is “When the wind stops it’s time to start rowing.” This was one of those times.
Max,
There have been many a project that would never have been started if people knew how much work was needed. A lot of our neighbors up there have decided not to rebuild. Once was enough, especially now that the trees have been replaced by blackened sticks.
tammy,
Thanks!