The setting is gorgeous, though stark in a way that only certain people can appreciate. Zen priests and black and white photographers would perhaps do best here. The town itself is, despite their best efforts over a number of years of clean-up, a totally industrial landscape.
Electrical wires run overhead, typical to most towns, but there are also sewer and water lines running above-ground through most of the town, reminiscent of most towns and cities in Russia. They inhibit vehicle traffic and require pedestrian cross-overs.
Rows of shipping containers (known here as milvans--no idea why) containing every possible construction material, general supply item, and spare part are in huge flat areas carved into the slopes, awaiting uses in support of science projects and maintenance of the town. When something is needed, you can't just run to your local hardware store for a spare part. They have to be stored on station in preparation for most eventualities. They have undergone a lot of progress over the years, but it still looks pretty ragged to me. At one time they were stored willy-nilly all over and with no apparent system, but there is now a computerized system that tells the Supply folks which of the containers a certain thing should be located in. Because of the huge expense of flying things in, most of these things are brought in once a year by ship in January and everyone must anticipate and plan for what will be needed.
In other areas there are piles of materials awaiting shipment back to the US. These might include general trash, various separated recyclable items, old equipment to be disposed of or resold, food waste, and even the solid sewage sludge from the treatment plant. These are taken out as space on the ship permits. Even the old nuclear power plant here has been removed and most of its building torn down. Over some more years the last of that will be removed. Interestingly, all of the food waste and other materials that could rot are sent out in refrigerated containers because they must pass through the tropics on the way back to Port Hueneme in Ventura County on their way to disposal. Without refrigeration the smells and gases produced would be overwhelming. I don't know why they aren't sent just to New Zealand, but maybe the Kiwis don't want to be our dumping ground.
On a different note, here are some details of the cab of a Delta.
Electrical wires run overhead, typical to most towns, but there are also sewer and water lines running above-ground through most of the town, reminiscent of most towns and cities in Russia. They inhibit vehicle traffic and require pedestrian cross-overs.
Rows of shipping containers (known here as milvans--no idea why) containing every possible construction material, general supply item, and spare part are in huge flat areas carved into the slopes, awaiting uses in support of science projects and maintenance of the town. When something is needed, you can't just run to your local hardware store for a spare part. They have to be stored on station in preparation for most eventualities. They have undergone a lot of progress over the years, but it still looks pretty ragged to me. At one time they were stored willy-nilly all over and with no apparent system, but there is now a computerized system that tells the Supply folks which of the containers a certain thing should be located in. Because of the huge expense of flying things in, most of these things are brought in once a year by ship in January and everyone must anticipate and plan for what will be needed.
In other areas there are piles of materials awaiting shipment back to the US. These might include general trash, various separated recyclable items, old equipment to be disposed of or resold, food waste, and even the solid sewage sludge from the treatment plant. These are taken out as space on the ship permits. Even the old nuclear power plant here has been removed and most of its building torn down. Over some more years the last of that will be removed. Interestingly, all of the food waste and other materials that could rot are sent out in refrigerated containers because they must pass through the tropics on the way back to Port Hueneme in Ventura County on their way to disposal. Without refrigeration the smells and gases produced would be overwhelming. I don't know why they aren't sent just to New Zealand, but maybe the Kiwis don't want to be our dumping ground.
On a different note, here are some details of the cab of a Delta.
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| Gear shifters on a Delta. Forward and Reverse on the left; individual gears on the right. |
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| Dashboard of a Delta |
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