Pierce Mfg. Bradenton, FL

Two complete trucks. The customers were there to pick them up.





The Pierce plant in Bradenton, FL also builds fire apparatus for the U.S. Military. There were at least 60 of the small mini-pumpers (built for the Army) lined up and ready to go to Charleston, SC to be transported by ship to the middle east. Those trucks were jam packed full of equipment and ready to go to work as soon as they get to there destination.

Reality Check

I went from this.
To this. In about three and a half hours.

Engine 312

Went to Pierce Manufacturing in Bradenton, FL today to check out our new fire engine. Looks pretty nice. Almost identical to the engine it will be replacing. It has a few little extras that the old one doesn't, like A/C. Man, I love those stripes on the rear. They make it look sharp.

Holmes Beach, FL

Went to Holmes Beach today after we checked our new fire engine at Pierce Mfg. in Bradenton. I saw the biggest jelly fish I've ever seen. It was as big as a Husson's large pizza. That's big!

Bradenton Beach, FL

The first time I've ever seen the Gulf of Mexico.

Manatee River

Too overcast for a nice sunrise. I'll probably try again in the morning. Good temperature though, about 60 at 630 am.

Wing

On my way to Bradenton, FL this morning.

38 Seconds Left

My Creation

We went to our friends house tonight and we made our own pizzas. Mine had pepper, onion, minced garlic, sausage, pepperoni, bacon, spinach, tomato and Parmesan cheese. Mama!!!!

Valentine's Day Flowers

I got these shots from the 100 Peruvian Lilly Blooms I got my wife for Valentine's Day.

Just Checkin'

Cathedral Falls

The tallest waterfall in WV. Took the top photo on my road trip to Belva last week. I only had my pocket camera with me 'cause I didn't know I was going on a trip. I converted it from brown & white (brown is the color of WV in winter) to black & white with Silver Efex Pro and simulated a film type of Kodak Panatomic X.

I grew up just 4 miles from the falls and love to stop there whenever I get a chance. The bottom shot is my favorite photo of the falls I've ever taken, and I've taken a bunch. Click on it for a better view.

Check out this shot taken by The Imagesmith. I like it too.

Evening Snow

Super Bowl Sandwich

We had these for dinner at the fire station before the Super Bowl. Shaved rib-eye, onion, garlic, peppers, mushrooms, mayo and provolone cheese. Mama!!!

United Bank

Kanawha Falls Post Office

I ended up having to take a road trip today. My wife's cousin had her mom at the doctor in Teays Valley when her car broke down. They called me, of all people, to come and see if I could fix it so they could make it home. While I was on my way I called my buddy, Jerry, and told him I might need assistance. He met me at the office and we determined that the water pump had gone out. It was my cousin's dad's car and he wanted it towed home, so we called a wrecker and they towed it the 65 miles back to Belva, WV.

Since I was up in the area I figured I'd mess around awhile and get some pictures. The post office building used to be across and down the river about 2 miles in a tiny town called Kanawha Falls. It has been moved to the teeming metropolis of Gauley Bridge and put on display with an old train depot. I also figured that since I was in the area, I'd stop at Burger Carte and get a Cartwheel. Mmm, mmm good. That's all.

Depot Window

Gauley Bridge, WV.