2008.11.29
29NOV08--Rain
It's raining outside right now and inside, for that matter.
Top lesson of the day is that my trailer leaks. The roof. Random spots throughout. Alls it is is a layer of aluminum.
I have my trash can in the worst place and water bottles with their tops cut off strategically placed around the room. Luckily, my bed, computer and other possessions all stayed dry. It's actually quite amazing.
The rain started earlier this evening and came in two half hour bursts. It even hailed for a short time. After the hail is when we went to our living trailers and discovered that they leaked.
The problem is that we took the time to level the trailers, so the water just pools on top of the trailers where Sergeant Brian Parker and I had been standing on them when we carried them in via crane.
After the last burst of rain, I got a jack out to lift one side of the trailer that I share with Sergeant Kevin "KC" Connaugton. I had to dig a hole in order to fit the jack under the trailer, and not but a inch under the ground that is puddled with standing rain water is dry, dusty dirt. Now the rain runs off the back.
At any rate, the current round of rain has lasted over an hour. The patter of rain on the roof will put me to sleep soon in a bed that is tilted at a 15-degree angle.
Must be that time of the year again. It doesn't rain very often in Iraq, but when it does, it makes a huge mess. Since there isn't very much in the way of vegetation to hold the ground together, the hard dusty earth turns into a quagmire, with mud that sticks to your boots like glue. After you've tracked it into your billets, it turns into little splotches of yellow/orange dirt. Don't worry though. After three days without rain, the whole place will be dry again.
Gotta love those trailers! Nothing in Iraq is built to keep out the rain, simply because it doesn't rain but a few times a year. Wait until it rains during a dust storm. It will rain mud. That's a real fun driving experience.
Stay safe, brother, and enjoy the cooler weather while you still have it.
Comment by Cleatis Sisson — November 29, 2008 @ 5:03 pm
I'm enjoying your blog. Keep up the good work and stay safe. My former Unit will deploy to your AO next year. (I'd go again in a heartbeat, but I HAD to retire after 24 yrs.)
Rick Guptill
SFC (ret)
(Bobby McGraw's Uncle)
Comment by Rick Guptill — November 29, 2008 @ 7:49 pm
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 12/01/2008 News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
http://thunderrun.blogspot.com/2008/12/from-front-12012008.html
Comment by David M — December 1, 2008 @ 2:12 pm
Cleatis,
Sometimes I wonder how rough going back to 115+ will feel like. Until then, I will take the cooler weather for granted.
Rick,
Thank you for your service. It means a lot to me.
Comment by Rich Connaroe — December 25, 2008 @ 4:46 pm