Saturday, June 21, 2008



Here's a picture from our feast on Monday night, my roommate had a few friends from college stay at the house I'm living in for the summer before they all went to the bluegrass festival in Telluride, Colorado. We had spaghetti with vegan "meat"balls (actually pretty good) and a really good red sauce, with chicken, bread, and (something called) a salad. It was the first time since I was home that I had a really good home cooked meal. As you can see, we also have a really cool, solid, wood table, which I really like.

I also should admit, I'm living with three girls. No, this isn't the start of a mormon lifestyle, but when I was looking for a place I really didn't want to end up in the same situation I was in last summer. I decided to take my time looking for a place and really find a situation I was comfortable with. The rent is cheap, the house is a huge 100 year old mansion with all hardwood floors, and the girls are three of the least girliest girls I know. Two of them work for an outdoor recreation programs for adults with disabilities and troubled children, so they're usually busy on backpacking trips. So far its a lot of fun, and I've met a lot of new people the past few weeks.

I've had a good start to work. I've been busy on a training schedule where I rotate mapping with the geologists, monitoring slopes with the geotech engineers, and monitoring inclinometers, extensometers, and wells with the hydrology technician. I like it so far, and my boss has told me they'll be pretty flexible with a project for me to work on. So far I'm more interested in the hydrogeology side of things. They monitor wells to get porosities of the various types of rock around the mine, and use that to calculate pore pressure in the walls, which is a major factor in slope stability. They use wells to draw out water and de-pressurize the walls. In a mine as HUGE as Bingham Canyon, its very important to take out as many factors as you can that may contribute to a failure. I never really saw hydrology as something I'd get involved with, but I kinda like it so far.

Thats enough blabbering from me! More later! Better leave room for the next post! Love you all!

-Walter B.

7 comments:

Sally said...

What a great blog. Are you sure Martha Stewart isn't living there? That is a beautifully set table. It was so interesting to hear about your job. You sure have a lot of experience to add to your resume, and it's a great way to find out what you really want to do. Thanks for the post.

Shawn said...

Hey, for anyone who wants to learn more about the mine, go to this website: http://www.kennecott.com/
If you click on "Virtual Tour" you can read some "Amazing Facts" and also see some really neat pictures of the min. What an interesting place!

It is neat to see pictures of the house, Wally!

Shawn said...

Walt, did you make the bread?

JimR said...

That look dee-lish!

Walter said...

No I didn't, but I've thought of making some.

JimR said...

I wish you would have found a house with matching chairs! (Actually I really like the mix and match look!)

nan & joe said...

Walt, it's so good of you to take time to inform your family! Thanks you. I'm so glad to hear about your job and living. I will check out the mine on-line. It all sounds great! How is the scenery? I suppose you have already seen the very best up in Alasks. . . but how exciting for you. Say Hello to the "girls". Love, Aunt Nancy