SUPPORTING THE MINING INDUSTRY

This weekend was the big...GOLD RUSH DAYS.

With Kensington Mine winning the supreme court ruling to open it's doors, the whole mining community was excited. It couldn't have came at a better time. It was neat to walk into the Gold Rush Days and see all the support for mining and logging...an industry that seems to be so controversial. But when your there...at an event like gold rush days...you will SEE the people that work so hard for their families... the businesses that support it, and a community that appreciates.Because of this, I love miners and what they do. They are some of the best people I know.

The first day of Gold Rush days was mining. The events were timed to see who the "best of the best". Some of the different events were hand mucking, drilling, spike driving, and mine rescue. Trey got a chance to compete in the hand mucking for kids. Andy entered in the collar drilling competition and took 2nd place. Not only that, but he was on the front page of the Sunday Newspaper...crazy.

Andy is also the captain of the Mine Rescue team. They were given a problem that took almost 2 hours...wearing the oxygen tanks/gear. The Mine Rescue Team plays a very important role in Mining. (Come to find out, a Rescue team in a real mine rescue can only be underground for 2 hours. At that point they are replaced by another team. What an effort!) The kids and I had to go home...Little League Baseball Games still go on and it was the AAA Tournament. Unfortunately, the Mets lost but it was a good season.