[SEL] Engine Trip

[Dave Rotigel]

Hi All,
	Yesterday Arnie and I drove down to Charleston WV to meet up with Spencer 
Yost to help him find an oil field engine. We arrived at 9:20 and met 
Spencer at Hardy's (exit 5 off Rt. 79.) Spencer had been joined by two good 
ol boys from WV (Vertis and Bob) who had assured Spencer that they had some 
good 20 HP Reid engines that he might want to buy and take off the wells 
that they were on.
	By 9:45 we were walking the hills of southern WV looking for engines. The 
first 3 we located were not much more that "parts." The 4th one was a nice 
20 HP--but in and almost impossible location for removal. (Spencer is sure 
that his bull doser is capable of the removal--I'm not so sure!) By that 
time it was 1:00 and we were all ready for lunch.
	After lunch (ie. 1:30) we were off again looking (this time) for a 15 HP 
that Vertis and Bob had never seen, but were sure was "just up thar on 
yonder ridge." Four ridges (and about 6 miles later) we had still not found 
the damn engine and Spencer was no where to be seen! After yelling to him 
for about 15 minutes we heard heavy breathing and Spencer appeared from a 
"hollar'" winded, sweating, red faced and gasping for breath--but other 
than that none the less worse for wear. He HAD NOT found the elusive 15 HP 
Reid!
	We tried one more (one mile) ridge looking for the 15 HP Reid and then I 
suggested that we all go back down to the "hard road" from which Vertis and 
Bob assured us we "can see the engine--but you hadn't try to cross that 
guys land to get to it." A half hour walk (like all the rest--UP HILL) and 
we were at Spencer's truck. Fifteen minutes later were looking across a 
field at the engine shack where the 15 was housed!
	We (Spencer, Bob and I) then walked to the closest trailer and Knocked on 
the door. Spencer introduced himself to the scantly clad chick who answered 
the door and asked her for permission to cross the field and the creek in 
order to have a look at the engine. She kept asking him "Is that all you 
want?" and after the 4th time he said "That's all!" she said "OK then do 
whatever you want!" and slammed the door.
	Spencer and Bob headed for the field (past the 2nd trailer) and forded the 
shallow creek. I, seeing the old man with the gun looking out the window, 
decided to hang back a bit to see if there were any shots fired. I, then 
went back up to the road to wait for Spencer's report on the 15 HP. Upon 
return Spencer reported that there were some parts missing, but it wasn't 
stuck! Vertis and Bob assured Spencer that they had the parts at home and 
that the engine would run!
	We then parted company with Vertis and Bob and went to have a sandwich. We 
talked about the engines and how they might be "extracted" from their 
locations. We also talked about the price that Vertis and Bob were asking 
and what they might take for one of the engines. Then Arnie and I headed 
for home (240 miles) tired, sour, buy happy with the day!
	I haven't talked to Arnie today, but I can tell you that my legs are sure 
sore! (I'll bet that I'll be taking it easy for at least two weeks!)  I 
can't tell you when I've walked 10+ miles (that's a conservative estimate) 
up and down hills in one day!  I do know that if this would be the last 
"engine trip" in my life it would be one of the best, GOOD friends, good 
hunting, good conversation--it just doesn't get much better than that!
	Dave
PS, Life is GOOD!