At the 17th Hole

When most people were at work on Friday, I was out on the golf course. But the reality is: I was still working. Tracy and I were sent to Virginia to collect a groundwater sample from a monitoring well that was stationed strategically on the fairway between the tee and Hole 17. We were briefed by the site maintenance supervisor ahead of time to bring our hard hats and take all safety precautions at the well. It was recommended we start sampling before 10:00 so that we would be done by the time the golfers made it around the first 16 holes. Not to be. We started sampling at 12:00 about the time when all golfers made it to Hole 17. So, we situated the SUV between us and the tee so that we would be shielded somewhat. Tracy worked hard to calm my nerves by explaining that she's done plenty of golfing and everyone is usually pretty good about their aim. Besides, our well was slightly off to the side and not smack in the middle of the fairway.

We were taking our first readings, looking up each time a golfer set up on the tee to make sure we kept our eyes on the ball. Not more than 5 minutes passed when a line drive came barreling straight into the back of the SUV. No damage done, and so we waved the golfers on and tried to look relaxed. Throughout the day a few balls landed in the trees overhead, a few to our right, a few to our left. We ended up being there all day because our pump wasn't working and the well went dry. What was supposed to be an hour on the golf course turned into 3 and we were there to wave at all the golfers, cheer them when they made a good hit and look the other way when the ball landed in the sand pit. I think we made them nervous, and yet they were good sports asking if we got hazard pay and, "surely that's not your personal vehicle you have parked there." And then, "you are brave souls, and "any oil in that well?" We have never had so much company when sampling and I felt kinda like we were on the boardwalk at the beach back home.

Starting Saturday, Paul and I have been really busy lately getting ready for my family to come out for a visit. :-) We have the furniture situated to make the most of the little floor space available for sleeping, a drying rack set up for all the towels and the fridge stocked. Oh, and we got garland and a tree up and decorated. That's what we've been doing for the last 3 days.