Jack took these photos a couple of days ago. The clouds have a really weird consistency to them, like there are air pockets underneath that are pushing them up in patches.
Hard to believe this was 10 years ago, Jack says. This is a mod lift at the Alpine oil fields (mod is short for modular), back when he was doing heavy haul. Since it’s been so many years all he had to say about it was that he hauled this prefabricated unit to Alpine from Valdez and the workers there got busy lifting it off his truck. It took all day actually. That was one part of heavy haul he doesn’t miss.
A few years ago Jack and some other truckers took these pipe rack units from Fairbanks to Alpine, an area of Prudhoe Bay owned by Conoco-Phillips. You’ll see the units being loaded, then Jack driving behind other units. You can see the pipes in the middle of the structure as well as the valve controls on the top. These units are lined up next to each other and connected as part of the process of extracting oil and getting it into the pipeline to go south. In one of the ice road photos you can see a pipeline on the right.
They drive through tundra, over mountains, and finally on the ice roads of Prudhoe Bay. The last couple of photos, the ones where the road doesn’t look particularly icy, they are passing over a river. If you are also rather astute (and here I am giving you a clue) you can also see Jack’s reflection in the mirror, as well as a reflection of the small fan that he had mounted on the dash that could turn toward the windshield to defrost it or toward him on hot days.
(The best way to view the photos is to click on the first one and then click on the right arrow.)
Jack finally took a video of driving down the road. It seems like a silly thing to do but people have requested more videos and this one shows what most of his job is like, on the good days. 🙂
(If these appear blurry change your resolution settings on the bottom right side of the player.)
Happy New Year!!
This short video was taken a couple of years ago when a truck carrying a bridge beam went off the road and flopped over. It was a costly problem for whoever ended up paying for it. It broke in the wreck so they tore it into pieces and hauled it away.
Jack and I were so sad to hear about the passing of Jack McCahan. Jack “Cactus Jack” McCahan was a hard-working trucker with a great sense of humor. Jack says he told fantastic stories and would always win in a battle to keep a straight face. He told the best jokes. He was simply a joy to be around. Everybody loved Jack. Everybody loves Jack. It doesn’t change just because he is gone. He will be in our thoughts and so…still on the road…with us…
Even though it is a sad day for all the drivers on the Dalton, and everyone else who loved and knew Jack, enjoy your Thanksgiving especially if you get to spend it with your loved ones. And to all the truckers who are on the road instead of being home with their families, thank you for towing the line.
Our deepest sympathies to Jack McCahan’s family.
As some of you have heard, there was a terrible accident on the Dalton Highway recently. Two trucks were in a head-on collision about 75 miles from Prudhoe Bay back in October. Jack arrived on the scene about an hour after it happened so he was able to document it for his bosses. We’re sharing the photos with you but please keep Jack McCahan in your thoughts as he is in serious condition still even after over a month.
Apparently Jack McCahan was able to crawl out of the burning wreck only a short time before it was engulfed in flames. Photos below show the burnt truck. It doesn’t even look like a truck anymore. Very scary.
(Click on one and scroll.)
Have a great Thanksgiving everyone and please always drive safely, whether you are a trucker or not.
Jack caught a view of Denali from his truck on a clear day, kind of a miracle!
Some memories are dictated much by the weather. Storms, wind, rain, and very often, sun. Sometimes the sun falls just right, and the breeze is peaceful, and you’re in a good place. It might so happen that it’s 40 below, but some things can’t be helped.
This is my single favorite photo of Jack. It is November 2006. His face is a little stiff from the cold but the afternoon setting sun shows how much he enjoys this crazy job of taking big things to faraway places.
In this case he gets to bring bridge beams to the Donjek River in Yukon Territory, Canada.
The old bridge is behind Jack.
Jack actually helped haul the bridge beams in the summer and is now (November 2006) back in the winter to pick them up again and bring them down to the crane on the ice.
There are two cranes used to pick up the bridge beam. The yellow piece that is at the right in the photo above is hanging from the other crane which is behind the person taking the photo (Jack).
The trucks are awaiting another bridge beam to load.
This is the dolly used to haul the bridge beams.
Jack is wearing a face mask, but no gloves! No figure.
The arrow is pointing to the bridge beams already placed where they will forever stay.
Below is a Google Earth image of the Donjek River. You can see the new bridge and the old road leading up to the river but the old bridge has been dismantled and removed.
Have a great day!
The Jack Jessee Blog 