Roof Work

Last week was a packed with roof work. With winter approaching and summer cabins being closed, roof repairs were foremost in several of my friends’ minds. They feel that since I fell off my roof last winter, I am a seasoned professional! I have a host of friends.

The two things that I learned from last year’s fall were first, stake the bottom of the extension ladder and second, tie off with a safety line. Pat Ridley recently explained that my choice of an anchor point for the safety line is very important. He once tied off to a company truck while working on a second story roof. Unfortunately, a co-worker decided to take the truck to lunch while Pat was working. Pat’s roof work came to an abrupt end as the truck to which he was tethered sped from the site. He was dragged over the roof and to the ground before the driver realized what he had done. Apparently Pat didn’t bounce any better than I did.

I spent my week replacing vents and metal roofing, tightening roofing screws and rebuilding roof valleys. I was glad to help a few friends who are apprehensive about laboring thirty feet above ground on metal roofs. Whatever skills that I have developed over the past three years are a testament to the help and patience of Island Park residents.

While I was climbing from peak to peak, I was happy that at sixty-one years old I am capable of such activities. Life in the caldera demands that one remain active. For that I am grateful.