This is our scenery

We have barely been working in this spot for a month.  While we have thoroughly enjoyed this job, the scenery does get a little monotonous.  Then I thought as I had when I first arrived outside Corrizzo Springs that not a lot of folks have seen this area.  A huge area comprising of a large part of South Texas.

Intermixed within the farms and ranches is the signature equipment of the Oil business.  Nonstop day and night heavy tractor trailers towing the now familiar Frac trailers. Sand, gravel and water trucks as well.  The latter taking a little time to familiarize ourselves with.  As did the terms "blowback" or water collected from the Fracking operation and "Mudd".  The different consistencies needed for the different pressures exerted by the various wells, and whatever operation being conducted.  "Workover" an unusual term for repairing or retrieving a tool, for lack of a better word, located from a thousand to several miles beneath the surface.  Everywhere the eye can see is filled with the towering derricks, the odd grasshopper shaped oil pumps of all different sizes, their  insect like heads moving slowly up and down scattered in pastures with cows grazing right next to them.  Every mile or so are the large storage facilities interconnected by a highly complex network of pipelines. Workers we are told working inside closely monitoring the huge pressures contained withing the pipelines.  At night, the sky is lit up by the numerous fires from flumes burning excess gasses.  Danteisque would be a description one might use were that term an actual word.

Night time

I was trying to concoct a description for scenes like the one below but I guess I'll just let it speak for itself.

and

The local San Antonio newspaper had an article last week describing the problems this horrendous drought has brought to the Oil Industry.  Competing with the surface dwellers, that's us, for the available water.  Roughly speaking one fracking operation of one well requires a million gallons of water.  A family of four however in a year uses about one hundred and thirty thousand gallons.  The water is collected in fracking ponds.  Lakes big enough to water ski in. One is being constructed next to us.  A stark contrast to the reservoirs that in some areas contain only fifteen percent of their capacity.   In many areas private wells are going dry.  Those that aren't, the water is being sold to the oil companies.   Some compromise has been reached in that the companies have agreed to use the water located below the water table.  This water is brackish and not potable.  

There are literally thousands of oil wells. 

It is what it is and Lisa and I keep our general mission in mind, that we work to live and not vice versa.  Personally, I think it naive to believe that energy independence does not come at a price.  My liberal leanings conflict with my conservative roots in this regard.  I think it preferable to rely on ourselves than the unstable Middle East and Central American governments.

And Gate Guards, there are literally hundreds of us.  I had not even heard of this opportunity prior to arriving in Texas.   This is such a unique opportunity for retirees.  In any direction you drive you will pass guards in everything from high end Class A's to converted school buses.  Also many high end fifth wheels and pull trailers with multiple slide outs.  I have read enough horror stories however about the havoc the dust and extreme conditions wreaks on slide out mechanisms, converters, RV washing machine etc.

                          Anywayyyyyy, our little 21 footer is way bigger inside than it looks from the outside.  I'll do pics someday.  We have found it ideal.  High enough to get over the roughest of roads and simple and rugged enough to withstand the nasty extremes.  Although the recent weather has been pleasurable enough.  Our AC, which was running 24/7 the past several months has recently been turned down as the evenings get a little chillier.  I am a little overwhelmed by the number of devices that have to be maintained even in this little house.  The water heater, plumbing, converter,AC and Furnace. Refrigeration and did I miss anything, oh yeah the directional TV antennae and fancy catalytic converter.  Also the magic chef range and oven and also the microwave.  Any of these things going out costing a pretty penny.  Despite the initial issues with the roof, I have otherwise been pretty satisfied with everything so far.  

We suspect this job will be over soon and Lisa hopes to shoot back to Idaho for a quick visit with the family.  I will stay with the rigs.  Best of wishes to my Mom who is recovering from shoulder surgery.