I spent a week in Williston, North Dakota working in the yard. Williston is known for being Boomtown, USA. It is at the epicenter of the Bakken oil region and has grown so rapidly that there are literally thousands of dwelling crammed together all over the area to house the workers. They are also know as man camps. The demand for work is so great and the inflation of everything because of it has everyone hiring and at a higher hourly rate. Walmart starts people at $17 an hour. I've heard McDonalds is not far behind and offers a starting wage of $15 an hour. Hotels are everywhere and can command a nightly rate of almost 300 dollars a night. A studio apartment can range in a price ten times that amount. Thankfully, the railroad covered the bill and meals, so I just worked a 10pm to 10am shift learning how to build trains. I was riding rail cars and making joints and cutting them away. I enjoyed the work a lot but must say that walking on those rocks all day in steel toe and shank boots were killing my feet after a 12 hour day. It also takes a toll on your lower back as well. The week was great and I got some good instructors as well who taught me a lot and let me learn by doing the work. I go back for another week of switching in the yard in my last week of training which coincides with my birthday.
I drove back and got the following day off and since then have been on a couple trips to Minot and back. My last train was almost 8000 feet long. Amazing! It's been really slow out here and have heard nothing but whispers and continuing conversation of apparent furloughs that are coming. My biggest fear is being laid off after I get out of training which is about a month away. I can't afford to not collect a paycheck and certainly would feel like a failure to my family if I were to come home with my tail between my legs empty handed. It worries me a lot and have somewhat of a game plan if things were to require the implementation of my plan B or even my plan C, but as for now I'm still going with plan A, which is putting my best foot forward and giving my all towards this training and praying that work will be available when I get out of class. I'm banking on the well being of my marriage and my family's survival on it as I've been trying to get on top of paying more of the bills between two locations. As scary as I've allowed my mind to take me with the worries of my relationship, being away from my kids, and ensuring a financially security for all of it in the end game. I for the most part am trying to stay positive but can tends to wander with the weight of the world and its realities bearing down heavy onto my shoulders. I also know that I serve a just God that gives an abundance of grace and love, who also wouldn't give me anything that I couldn't handle as well. That brings rest and peace to my burdens. I trust it all to him to sort out and can only continue on with my trying efforts as each day passes by.
A train also derailed 50 east of Minot carrying crude. It continues to put pressure on the railroad to fix the derailment problems it's been having with these explosive loads. It's apparently the fifth one this year. Fortunately, the town was safely evacuated and the crew were okay. It has definitely slowed traffic down greatly which is why in in a van to Minot opposed to a train. They've rerouted several trains and I will be taking one back to Glasgow in the morning.
In summarizing these dozen or so days on a lighter note. I came back from Williston and watched the sequel to the Avengers at my favorite theater. Only six other people were in the theater when I watched it. I've seen thee most beautiful sunrises on that graveyard shift. To see the moon set and slowly fade away before my eyes as it gives way to the light of day is amazing. In my free time, I'll drive around town or the area on mini adventures. In Epping, there's a little restored town which is cute and would seem like a destination place for tourists, but it turned out to be a ghost town to be. I was brought on as an active firefighter of the city of Glasgow and Valley County fire departments as my application was reviewed and accepted. It certainly had my heart racing with excitement as I got fit for my bunker gear. I'm looking forward to being as helpful as I can with my limited schedule. All of the volunteers there have been extremely friendly and know that I'm in great company and am honored to be a part of their family.
To come as far as I have on my own, I feel I have come a long way and would hate for it to all be cut short because of the circumstances that could be. I'll rest in knowing that his will is sufficient and whatever path he puts forth in front of me is just and will take it on with my best of efforts.
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