Happy Thanksgiving to all readers
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Monday, November 20, 2017
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX - Nov 15 - 18
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX - Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Morning 65 Degrees, Wind S at calm, Humidity 98%, mostly cloudy.
Afternoon 81 Degrees, Wind SSW at 5 to 13 Mph, Humidity 59%, partly cloudy.
Busy all day long but I did have time to do some projects. I put our another section of walkway making it four by six foot square with a two by two foot section. When we were in San Antonio in September they installed the new outside grip and having the shoe brush in that area we have a good grip to hold while cleaning our shoes.
My wife was up early and went shopping in Cuero at HEB. We are close to nothing unless you drive thirty miles or more.
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX - Thursday, November 16, 2017
Morning 68 Degrees, Wind WNW at calm, Humidity 98%, mostly cloudy/showers in the area. (Can I say there is mud in my future, not sure.)
Afternoon 84 Degrees, Wind SSW at 3 to 6 Mph, Humidity 56%, partly cloudy.
Sand trucks, all day never able to plan when they are coming in the gate. Going out times also vary with how close together the sand trucks arrive at the frack site.
Other vehicles are shift change and delivery of chemicals and diesel fuel.
There is other work building a piping network on the well pad that is a day operation so they are in early and out at dark.
Some of the local are now coming around
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX - Friday, November 17, 2017
Morning 71 Degrees, Wind S at 1 to 3 Mph, Humidity 94%, cloudy.
Afternoon 84 Degrees, Wind SW at 8 to 24 Mph, Humidity 50%, partly sunny.
Sand trucks day and night. Last Sunday and Monday the sand trucks started coming leaving their sand box at the well site building a supply at the well site. Now it is keeping that supply available. There is a conveyer system trailer that the boxes are placed on that can hold four sand boxes at a time for the operation and they use a heavy duty forklift to change out the boxes.
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX - Saturday, November 18, 2017
Morning 72 Degrees, Wind SSW at 9 to 11 Mph, Humidity 91%, cloudy.
Afternoon 87 Degrees, Wind WNW at 12 to 25 Mph, Humidity 31%, mostly sunny.
Frack is finishing up and the rigging down has started overnight. The sand trucks started taking out two empty boxes on the trailers. This sand operation uses boxes and gravity to unload on a conveyer belt. Additional empty boxes (four at a time, empty) were removed by a flat bed trailers.
Thought For The Day – There’s never enough time to do all the nothing you want to do.
Morning 65 Degrees, Wind S at calm, Humidity 98%, mostly cloudy.
Afternoon 81 Degrees, Wind SSW at 5 to 13 Mph, Humidity 59%, partly cloudy.
Busy all day long but I did have time to do some projects. I put our another section of walkway making it four by six foot square with a two by two foot section. When we were in San Antonio in September they installed the new outside grip and having the shoe brush in that area we have a good grip to hold while cleaning our shoes.
My wife was up early and went shopping in Cuero at HEB. We are close to nothing unless you drive thirty miles or more.
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX - Thursday, November 16, 2017
Morning 68 Degrees, Wind WNW at calm, Humidity 98%, mostly cloudy/showers in the area. (Can I say there is mud in my future, not sure.)
Afternoon 84 Degrees, Wind SSW at 3 to 6 Mph, Humidity 56%, partly cloudy.
Sand trucks, all day never able to plan when they are coming in the gate. Going out times also vary with how close together the sand trucks arrive at the frack site.
Other vehicles are shift change and delivery of chemicals and diesel fuel.
 |
| truck caring loaded sand box |
There is other work building a piping network on the well pad that is a day operation so they are in early and out at dark.
Some of the local are now coming around
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX - Friday, November 17, 2017
Morning 71 Degrees, Wind S at 1 to 3 Mph, Humidity 94%, cloudy.
Afternoon 84 Degrees, Wind SW at 8 to 24 Mph, Humidity 50%, partly sunny.
Sand trucks day and night. Last Sunday and Monday the sand trucks started coming leaving their sand box at the well site building a supply at the well site. Now it is keeping that supply available. There is a conveyer system trailer that the boxes are placed on that can hold four sand boxes at a time for the operation and they use a heavy duty forklift to change out the boxes.
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX - Saturday, November 18, 2017
Morning 72 Degrees, Wind SSW at 9 to 11 Mph, Humidity 91%, cloudy.
Afternoon 87 Degrees, Wind WNW at 12 to 25 Mph, Humidity 31%, mostly sunny.
Frack is finishing up and the rigging down has started overnight. The sand trucks started taking out two empty boxes on the trailers. This sand operation uses boxes and gravity to unload on a conveyer belt. Additional empty boxes (four at a time, empty) were removed by a flat bed trailers.
 |
| Trailer caring out two sand boxes |
Thought For The Day – There’s never enough time to do all the nothing you want to do.
Friday, November 17, 2017
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX - Nov 12 - 14
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX - Sunday, November 12, 2017
Morning 64 Degrees, Wind ENE calm Mph, Humidity 100%, overcast.
Afternoon 77 Degrees, Wind ESE at 4 to 10 Mph, Humidity 73%, rain.
Rain (0.007 inches) did not start until afternoon (almost dark) and was light rain most of the evening, just enough to have rain gear on. There was a short period of moderate rain but it did not last long. A busier day with equipment moving in and getting setup here at the gate.
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX - Monday, November 13, 2017
Morning 66 Degrees, Wind NE at calm, Humidity 100%, mostly cloudy.
Afternoon 82 Degrees, Wind E at 4 to 8 Mph, Humidity 50%, partly cloudy.
Mud, overnight and this morning, stick to your shoes type, but with the sun trying to break thru it dried pretty fast. Very busy today with trucks (and sand box trucks) of all types coming and going. I installed the shoe brush and that helps a lot.
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX - Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Morning 55 Degrees, Wind SSE at calm, Humidity 100%, partly cloudy.
Afternoon 81 Degrees, Wind SSE at 4 to 12 Mph, Humidity 51%, partly cloudy.
Close gate? This was not a fun day. There are multiple land owners and a renter running cattle that access thru this road. The cattle rancher is a renter and complaining about a gate further down having the lock broken and the gate was open. Yesterday a land owner came in saying he was the land owner but I only took down the plate number and not his name. Land owners can get huffy about being challenged accessing their own property so I did not push about the name also not knowing there were multiple land owners here. So the cattle rancher came today wanting to know all who came in the gate so he could figure out who opened the gate. While ths was going on I called my coordinator to advise him what was going on here. Also when I talked with the land owner yesterday he told me about the cattle rancher, so I knew he was knowledgeable about the property here.
When the coordinator called back ten minutes later an said we were released and ok to stay overnight with the generator. I stopped logging vehicles in the gate. I decided to let my wife sleep until she woke up for her to get good rest. One of the oil company men came in and said we are not released also called the gate coordinator back and his first reply was who is this? I told him and he said that was a mistake about being released. All this took awhile to settle out but I had started to take apart our walkway to pack it back into buster in the afternoon. I never questioned the coordinator about being released, but I knew the oil company still was working inside at the pad a mile and a half away.
Very emotional day for me I was thinking we lost the job because of the cattle rancher and land owner being dissatisfied with our work but just a mistake on the coordinators part when he called me.
Morning 64 Degrees, Wind ENE calm Mph, Humidity 100%, overcast.
Afternoon 77 Degrees, Wind ESE at 4 to 10 Mph, Humidity 73%, rain.
Rain (0.007 inches) did not start until afternoon (almost dark) and was light rain most of the evening, just enough to have rain gear on. There was a short period of moderate rain but it did not last long. A busier day with equipment moving in and getting setup here at the gate.
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX - Monday, November 13, 2017
Morning 66 Degrees, Wind NE at calm, Humidity 100%, mostly cloudy.
Afternoon 82 Degrees, Wind E at 4 to 8 Mph, Humidity 50%, partly cloudy.
Mud, overnight and this morning, stick to your shoes type, but with the sun trying to break thru it dried pretty fast. Very busy today with trucks (and sand box trucks) of all types coming and going. I installed the shoe brush and that helps a lot.
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX - Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Morning 55 Degrees, Wind SSE at calm, Humidity 100%, partly cloudy.
Afternoon 81 Degrees, Wind SSE at 4 to 12 Mph, Humidity 51%, partly cloudy.
Close gate? This was not a fun day. There are multiple land owners and a renter running cattle that access thru this road. The cattle rancher is a renter and complaining about a gate further down having the lock broken and the gate was open. Yesterday a land owner came in saying he was the land owner but I only took down the plate number and not his name. Land owners can get huffy about being challenged accessing their own property so I did not push about the name also not knowing there were multiple land owners here. So the cattle rancher came today wanting to know all who came in the gate so he could figure out who opened the gate. While ths was going on I called my coordinator to advise him what was going on here. Also when I talked with the land owner yesterday he told me about the cattle rancher, so I knew he was knowledgeable about the property here.
When the coordinator called back ten minutes later an said we were released and ok to stay overnight with the generator. I stopped logging vehicles in the gate. I decided to let my wife sleep until she woke up for her to get good rest. One of the oil company men came in and said we are not released also called the gate coordinator back and his first reply was who is this? I told him and he said that was a mistake about being released. All this took awhile to settle out but I had started to take apart our walkway to pack it back into buster in the afternoon. I never questioned the coordinator about being released, but I knew the oil company still was working inside at the pad a mile and a half away.
Very emotional day for me I was thinking we lost the job because of the cattle rancher and land owner being dissatisfied with our work but just a mistake on the coordinators part when he called me.
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX - Nov 5 - 11
Vaquero Village RV Park, Botines, TX - Nov 5 - 8
Three days it was sunny and the fourth overcast but no rain. It was nice get up when we wanted go to bed when we wanted and no gate alarm to answer, great time off. Every day we made it into Ladero to explore and have lunch / dinner a nice mini vacation.
Vaquero Village RV Park, Botines, TX - Nov 9
we did something different, we stayed home at Buster today and made plans to take Buster to Crystal City to wait for another gate. In parking Buster here we did not “spread out” too much. We kept in the on the go mode easier to start moving again.
Vaquero Village RV Park, Botines, TX - Friday, November 10, 2017
Morning 55 Degrees, Wind N at 4 to 8 Mph, Humidity 90%, overcast.
Still go up later today and did not move Buster until after eleven o’clock.
El Dorado Ranch Resort, Crystal City, TX
Afternoon 64 Degrees, Wind E at 2 to 4 Mph, Humidity 68%, overcast.
At the company RV park staying in the go mode not “spreading out too much” waiting for our next gate assignment. While we were in the driveway getting our bearings a guy came over letting me know about low wires. Talking with him he (Fred & Gladis) and I were at a gate together in 2015 in Asherton, Texas. After parking Buster and setting up we went into Carrizo Springs for Mexican, a place we have had tak out from other years.
After returning to Buster we got a call on my wifes phone from an unknown number so we did not answer that latter I got a call from our last coordinator we have a new gate tomorrow with a different coordinator. When I tried to call the phone number was out of service. Calling the coordinator back to get the number I recognized it as the strange call we did not answer.
The new to us gate, starting tomorrow is southeast of San Antonio
El Dorado Ranch Resort, Crystal City, TX - Saturday, November 11, 2017
Morning 57 Degrees, Wind NNW calm, Humidity 94%, cloudy.
Buster was moving after nine o’clock but it was hard to get up and get moving early today as we have been in lazy mode for a week. No “big roads” today as we took US 83 north a mile or so and looped around the south side of Crystal City and onto TX 65 to TX 85 northeast to TX 97 thru Pleasanton, goy we both wanted to stop and get some BBQ brisket but we were pressed for time.
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX
Afternoon 78 Degrees, Wind ESE at 3 to 13 Mph, Humidity 59%, overcast.
From TX 97 to US 87 into Smiley and south and onto county road (dirt to the gate one hundred sixty miles here about twelve-thirty, only thirty minutes late. Coming in the dirt road we passed a EV going out, the people we are relieving. The coordinator who called while we were on TX 97 was already on US 87 when he called so he relieved them while we were on the road. That worked well as there is not much room for two RV and three vehicles. The oil company is bringing in a frack operation for the work here at this gate. There are other oil wells in operation so there is other traffic to come in and record.
While arriving and setting up talking with the coordinator Rahlee was “talkiing” to us wanting to come outside where we were talking with the coordinator just outside Buster’s door. After the coordinator left I continued working outside and I could here but nor see Rahlee, then I caught a glimpse of him going under Buster. We both tried to get him to come in but no luck. I decided to ignore him for a bit thinking he would come out. Then I could here him again not see him, following the sound of him I found him on top of the left front wheel. We had been keeping a close eye on the door as I did not think he got out there then I realized it was the drivers window was open. Rahlee jumped out there wandering around under Buster then finally getting on top of the left front tire. Glad that is solved.
Three days it was sunny and the fourth overcast but no rain. It was nice get up when we wanted go to bed when we wanted and no gate alarm to answer, great time off. Every day we made it into Ladero to explore and have lunch / dinner a nice mini vacation.
Vaquero Village RV Park, Botines, TX - Nov 9
we did something different, we stayed home at Buster today and made plans to take Buster to Crystal City to wait for another gate. In parking Buster here we did not “spread out” too much. We kept in the on the go mode easier to start moving again.
Vaquero Village RV Park, Botines, TX - Friday, November 10, 2017
Morning 55 Degrees, Wind N at 4 to 8 Mph, Humidity 90%, overcast.
Still go up later today and did not move Buster until after eleven o’clock.
El Dorado Ranch Resort, Crystal City, TX
Afternoon 64 Degrees, Wind E at 2 to 4 Mph, Humidity 68%, overcast.
At the company RV park staying in the go mode not “spreading out too much” waiting for our next gate assignment. While we were in the driveway getting our bearings a guy came over letting me know about low wires. Talking with him he (Fred & Gladis) and I were at a gate together in 2015 in Asherton, Texas. After parking Buster and setting up we went into Carrizo Springs for Mexican, a place we have had tak out from other years.
After returning to Buster we got a call on my wifes phone from an unknown number so we did not answer that latter I got a call from our last coordinator we have a new gate tomorrow with a different coordinator. When I tried to call the phone number was out of service. Calling the coordinator back to get the number I recognized it as the strange call we did not answer.
The new to us gate, starting tomorrow is southeast of San Antonio
El Dorado Ranch Resort, Crystal City, TX - Saturday, November 11, 2017
Morning 57 Degrees, Wind NNW calm, Humidity 94%, cloudy.
Buster was moving after nine o’clock but it was hard to get up and get moving early today as we have been in lazy mode for a week. No “big roads” today as we took US 83 north a mile or so and looped around the south side of Crystal City and onto TX 65 to TX 85 northeast to TX 97 thru Pleasanton, goy we both wanted to stop and get some BBQ brisket but we were pressed for time.
Buster’s Gate Smiley, TX
Afternoon 78 Degrees, Wind ESE at 3 to 13 Mph, Humidity 59%, overcast.
From TX 97 to US 87 into Smiley and south and onto county road (dirt to the gate one hundred sixty miles here about twelve-thirty, only thirty minutes late. Coming in the dirt road we passed a EV going out, the people we are relieving. The coordinator who called while we were on TX 97 was already on US 87 when he called so he relieved them while we were on the road. That worked well as there is not much room for two RV and three vehicles. The oil company is bringing in a frack operation for the work here at this gate. There are other oil wells in operation so there is other traffic to come in and record.
 |
| Looking in the gate |
 |
| Looking out the gate |
Monday, November 6, 2017
Buster’s Gate, Laredo, TX Oct 30 - Nov 4
Buster’s Gate, Laredo, TX - Monday, October 30, 2017
Morning 53 Degrees, Wind SSE at 1 to 3 Mph, Humidity 65%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 86 Degrees, Wind SE at 8 to 10 Mph, Humidity 25%, .
We have had a cool weekend with temperatures getting down into the forties and me in warm long pants for the weekend.
Rig cleaning crew came in today in preparation for the drill rig move out. They started the drill rig move out and pieces and parts on flat bed trucks. These are heavy hauls requiring trailers with five axles tractors with four axles to handle the weight.
Buster’s Gate, Laredo, TX - Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Morning 65 Degrees, Wind NE calm to 1 Mph, Humidity 96%, mostly cloudy.
Afternoon 68 Degrees, Wind N at 8 to 16 Mph, Humidity 63%, partly cloudy.
The company supplying the onsite housing were in early for the move today of five house trailers, water and waste water tanks. Then there are steps and other parts all on trailers pulled by pickup trucks. Trucks continues hauling loads with equipment used in the drilling operation.
Buster’s Gate, Laredo, TX - Wednesday, November 1, 2017
Morning 57 Degrees, Wind NW at calm to 1 Mph, Humidity 89%, mostly cloudy.
Afternoon 84 Degrees, Wind N at 4 to 9 Mph, Humidity 50%, partly sunny.
Big pieces moved out today all but one, the tower it is loaded on its dolly ready to roll out in the morning.
Another drill rig moved in four miles further down the road from our location and traffic coming to that gate is stopping trying to enter for us. I have to ask what rig are they looking for and direct them four miles further down the road. So all first timers want to stop thinking they are at their destination and I direct them four miles more, that they are now only half way there to their destination. I did notice a few drivers stop look recheck their paperwork and continue on but more stop and ask to enter here.
Buster’s Gate, Laredo, TX - Thursday, November 2, 2017
Morning 71 Degrees, Wind SSW at 1 to 2 Mph, Humidity 96%, partly sunny.
Afternoon 92 Degrees, Wind SSE at 7 to 12 Mph, Humidity 47%, partly sunny.
With the tower rolling out this morning the drill rig is moved out. I took our trash into the trash trailer still onsite. On the well site there is still material on pallets that will be moved out frcak tanks to be drained and cleaned stll more to be done.
Buster’s Gate, Laredo, TX - Friday, November 3, 2017
Morning 74 Degrees, Wind SSE at 1 to 3 Mph, Humidity 96%, partly sunny.
Afternoon 90 Degrees, Wind SE at 8 to 13 Mph, Humidity 55%, partly sunny.
It was a slower traffic day and late this afternoon we got the word, Close Gate, we are done as of midnight tonight. I started the breakdown for Buster’s move. Worked outside on that til near dark. A lot more to breakdown and put away things in Buster for the move off site.
Buster’s Gate, Laredo, TX - Saturday, November 4, 2017
Morning 77 Degrees, Wind ESE at 3 to 5 Mph, Humidity 86%, cloudy.
Very busy morning breaking down and packing away. While we are doing our thing, there are trucks coming in removing the supplies and draining the frack tanks. I just opened the gate for them to do their work as we are off the clock I made no attempt to keep track of them. There were still some that were looking for the new drill rig and directed them down the road four more miles. Some drivers see a gate guard and think that is where they are going.
About noon Buster rolled out the gate, I put the lock on and started the slow drive down the dirt road, four and a half miles.
Vaquero Village RV Park, Botines, TX
Afternoon 90 Degrees, Wind SSE at 9 to 13 Mph, Humidity 52%, partly sunny.
I sent my wife ahead to the paved road in Tan Jan. And Buster caught up after a slow going down the dirt road trying to keep the dust as low as possible. Then we turn east on the TX 255 and south on US 83, with a total trip of nineteen miles here to the RV park. After setting Buster on a site and taking a shower we drove into Ladero for dimmer and shopping. Getting back to Buster we crashed after a big work day moving.
Thought for the Day:
If the earth were really flat, Cats would have pushed everything over the edge by now.
Morning 53 Degrees, Wind SSE at 1 to 3 Mph, Humidity 65%, mostly sunny.
Afternoon 86 Degrees, Wind SE at 8 to 10 Mph, Humidity 25%, .
We have had a cool weekend with temperatures getting down into the forties and me in warm long pants for the weekend.
Rig cleaning crew came in today in preparation for the drill rig move out. They started the drill rig move out and pieces and parts on flat bed trucks. These are heavy hauls requiring trailers with five axles tractors with four axles to handle the weight.
 |
| This animal hung around for about five nights coming before dart staying until eight or nine in the morning |
Morning 65 Degrees, Wind NE calm to 1 Mph, Humidity 96%, mostly cloudy.
Afternoon 68 Degrees, Wind N at 8 to 16 Mph, Humidity 63%, partly cloudy.
The company supplying the onsite housing were in early for the move today of five house trailers, water and waste water tanks. Then there are steps and other parts all on trailers pulled by pickup trucks. Trucks continues hauling loads with equipment used in the drilling operation.
Buster’s Gate, Laredo, TX - Wednesday, November 1, 2017
Morning 57 Degrees, Wind NW at calm to 1 Mph, Humidity 89%, mostly cloudy.
Afternoon 84 Degrees, Wind N at 4 to 9 Mph, Humidity 50%, partly sunny.
Big pieces moved out today all but one, the tower it is loaded on its dolly ready to roll out in the morning.
Another drill rig moved in four miles further down the road from our location and traffic coming to that gate is stopping trying to enter for us. I have to ask what rig are they looking for and direct them four miles further down the road. So all first timers want to stop thinking they are at their destination and I direct them four miles more, that they are now only half way there to their destination. I did notice a few drivers stop look recheck their paperwork and continue on but more stop and ask to enter here.
 |
| Cat TV |
Morning 71 Degrees, Wind SSW at 1 to 2 Mph, Humidity 96%, partly sunny.
Afternoon 92 Degrees, Wind SSE at 7 to 12 Mph, Humidity 47%, partly sunny.
With the tower rolling out this morning the drill rig is moved out. I took our trash into the trash trailer still onsite. On the well site there is still material on pallets that will be moved out frcak tanks to be drained and cleaned stll more to be done.
Buster’s Gate, Laredo, TX - Friday, November 3, 2017
Morning 74 Degrees, Wind SSE at 1 to 3 Mph, Humidity 96%, partly sunny.
Afternoon 90 Degrees, Wind SE at 8 to 13 Mph, Humidity 55%, partly sunny.
It was a slower traffic day and late this afternoon we got the word, Close Gate, we are done as of midnight tonight. I started the breakdown for Buster’s move. Worked outside on that til near dark. A lot more to breakdown and put away things in Buster for the move off site.
Buster’s Gate, Laredo, TX - Saturday, November 4, 2017
Morning 77 Degrees, Wind ESE at 3 to 5 Mph, Humidity 86%, cloudy.
Very busy morning breaking down and packing away. While we are doing our thing, there are trucks coming in removing the supplies and draining the frack tanks. I just opened the gate for them to do their work as we are off the clock I made no attempt to keep track of them. There were still some that were looking for the new drill rig and directed them down the road four more miles. Some drivers see a gate guard and think that is where they are going.
About noon Buster rolled out the gate, I put the lock on and started the slow drive down the dirt road, four and a half miles.
Vaquero Village RV Park, Botines, TX
Afternoon 90 Degrees, Wind SSE at 9 to 13 Mph, Humidity 52%, partly sunny.
I sent my wife ahead to the paved road in Tan Jan. And Buster caught up after a slow going down the dirt road trying to keep the dust as low as possible. Then we turn east on the TX 255 and south on US 83, with a total trip of nineteen miles here to the RV park. After setting Buster on a site and taking a shower we drove into Ladero for dimmer and shopping. Getting back to Buster we crashed after a big work day moving.
 |
| Buster parked at Vaquero Village RV Park |
Thought for the Day:
If the earth were really flat, Cats would have pushed everything over the edge by now.
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