Hurricane Ike, Day 5

After Tony took the chain saw to Limb #1 and hours spent on dragging, hauling and carrying this stuff to the curb, there was only one thing left to do. Take care of Limb #2

If you look at the top of this photo, you can see where Limb #1 broke off and fell to the ground. Limb #2 was stubborn. You can see the broken end of the limb sticking straight up in the center of this photo. It liked hanging out at the top of the tree which was it's home for many many years. After studying the position of the limb, we were able to determine that the limb was not secure. It was wedged in a "Y" of the tree and looked as if it could drop if the wind blew hard enough. It had to come down. Tony and our neighbor put their thinking caps on and devised a plan. This plan consisted of a very large metal nut (like nuts and bolts), a heavy duty extension cord and some fluorescent orange string.

You might be a redneck if you use an extension cord and fluorescent orange string to yank a limb out of a tree.....I couldn't help myself.

It's pretty high up there!
Tony and our neighbor were able to tie the orange string onto the nut and throw it over the limb and tie on the extension cord. Then it got exciting. Rather that document this excitement with my camera, I chose to sit with our neighbor's wife and watch the guys in action. I watched in horror as the limb was freed and proceeded to fall, heavy side first, about two feet in front of our neighbor. Good thing he's quick on his feet. He ended up jumping back and out of the way. If a limb was coming your way, this was not the end you would want coming after your head! Everyone was okay and there were no injuries. just a few heart palpitations!