Wanted Man

Two weeks ago we were notified our 15 day cruise would be cancelled the following Saturday.(March 7th) They say vacations are full of surprises- I could never imagine all the surprises since that announcement that have happened- I am hoping they will be over by this Sunday, the day our cruise was to end. (22nd) Ironically I would not have had internet those 15 days- but staying home I was put in facebook Jail several times- and someone made me a shirt about that and several asked why I was in facebook Jail? I decided to make a video of an 1969 Johnny Cash song called "Wanted Man". Many photos are posts I may have posted- some, facebook may have removed without me knowing it? This song will have to replace our vacation Video for this year.

Thank You Maureen Johnson who made this shirt- I had over 42 likes on facebook and over 16 comments in just one day. The song is a Johnny Cash song from 1969- a song he seldom sang in his later years. I do hope the song takes your mind away from fear and worry and these two weeks will soon be history.

Wanted Man - YouTube

"The moon belongs to everyone, the best things in life are free"

Recently I was challenged to make a video to the song "The Moon belongs to Everyone, The Best Things In Life Are Free". The 1925 song took on new life during the depression. I chose the Ink Spots version that was in 1946 I believe. I hope you enjoy the video as much as I enjoyed making it. I also hope you will remember, "The Best Things in Life Are Free.

Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon?
Great food, horrible atmosphere.

Two blondes are walking and one asks, “which is closer, the moon or Florida?” The other responds, “duh......can you see Florida?

What did Neil Armstrong say when no one laughed at his moon jokes?
I guess you had to be there.

The reason that no one has returned to the moon for so long is that every time someone tries to book a hotel there, it's full...

The Best Things In Life Are Free - YouTube

American Trilogy- New Orleans

I am reminded of what a beautiful place we live, every time I take a  Vacation! Seven years ago today we arrived home from a cruise. We flew into New Orleans and had 2 hours  before we could board the ship and a 2 hour tour after the cruise of New Orleans, to visit that city. There is a lot of history and beauty there- and of coarse the tour guide was proud of his city, but I still prefer North Central Washington! I have always said I liked most about striping was the beautiful country we saw.  In 1972 Elvis sang a song called American Trilogy. I added some photos of that New Orleans trip.  We are blessed and I hope you include North Central Washington in your vacation plans this summer.

"An American Trilogy" is a song arranged by country songwriter Mickey Newbury and made popular by Elvis Presley, who began including the song as part of his regular concert routine in the 1970s, thereby making the song a showstopper. It is a medley of three 19th century songs—"Dixie", a blackface minstrel song that became the unofficial anthem of the Confederacy since the Civil War; "All My Trials", originally a Bahamian lullaby, but closely related to African American spirituals, and well-known through folk music revivalists; and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", the marching song of the Union Army during the Civil War. Over 465 versions of "An American Trilogy" have been recorded by different artists.

Just found out that someone has accidentally given away all my Elvis records. I’m all shook up.

I lost my pet mouse Elvis the other night. He was caught in a trap

Tried to book tickets for an Elvis tribute night over the phone. Had to press one for the money, two for the show…

american triology - YouTube

Leavenworth Chicken Dance

Twenty Six and half years ago I started work for WSDOT in Wenatchee. It really was a blessing; as we had just bought a house, our oldest daughter would be a  senior in High School, and Jan had just started her job- so transferring to Kent would have changed our lives greatly. Prior to that I worked for WUTC and was actually RIF'd,(reduction in force)  and had commuted to Kent for one month.  DOT has been good to me and I have worked with some great friends. My first winter was spent on Stevens pass working nights plowing snow and was required to stay at camp for our scheduled work week. I love the variety of work we perform and our goal of keeping the roads open for you.

In 2004 I transferred to the Striping Crew full time in the summers, and continued to work in maintenance in the winters. I worked on striping crew until 2 years ago when I transferred back to maintenance. I made this video in 2016 when I worked that winter in Leavenworth. One of the blessings is the beautiful country we would work in every day and the variety in our region. 

Today is my last scheduled day for work. I look forward to what God has for me in this next chapter of my life. 

I realize I posted my retirement video a couple weeks ago and this video was from a few years ago- tonight I sit looking back- I am retired. I am a blessed Man. Thank you to all with your advice and best wishes. Thank you to those who bought us lunch, desserts, and treats.  Thank you to those who put up with me- both the traveling public and co-workers. Thanks to the support staff at work who make us look good- the mechanics, our big bosses and office staff. I think the two greatest things we now have are the tommy gates on pickups to pickup deer and the overhead signs on pickups to inform and direct traffic- well the new robo flaggers are pretty neat too- we just started using them last year.  I remember going from 3 foot warning signs to 4 foot and I remember having just one or no warning vehicle behind us to now 3 or 4 at times- not sure if that is good or bad. I remember flagging for so many accidents- far too many were fatalities and caused by drinking or drugs. The saddest was 3 including a 5 years old boy buried by a rock slide on 97A and then several weeks later on that same highway a two vehicle accident where 10 or 11 people would die from a head on just few miles  north on that same highway. I am thankful for the help we get from wsp and other police and fire districts. I am thankful for the emphasis on safety at all times even though we have seen some dumb things by motorists. I am also thankful for good health and a good marriage and a God who has directed my steps and has a plan for the next part of my life. Perhaps the best advice I received was to enjoy life before you are too old and cannot- I am doing that right now.....

Some friends bought this dinner for us to celebrate our first dinner retired. We had the Martenelli's saved for this special occasion. Thank You!

Winter shift changeover this weekend for all except for me- Hopefully we can arrange another get together with friends, family,  and co-workers in April when we are back from a short vacation.

This is my final checkout at work-(click on arrow)

 and saying goodbye to Dave Bersbauch on 2-28-20

I hope you can hear the feelings in my response.

Leavenworth Chicken Dance - YouTube

Happy Retirement Dennis

Happy Retirement- This month came too fast but I am looking forward to my next chapter in my Life. This is actually my 36th video I made about my work- but it brought back so many memories- many who have retired and sadly a few who have passed on.  I started with Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission Sept. 3rd, 1985. It involved moving to Pasco and working port of entries on 4 different rotating shifts. In 1987 I was promoted to Snohomish but transferred to Wenatchee (for Okanagon position) on Dec. 25th, 1987. My office was the old forest service building at 2/Easy Street as well as an office in WSP Okanagon office once a week.  In 1993 due to funding cuts- I could move to Kent or be laid off- I commuted for one month and started at Wenatchee Maintenance on Oct. 4th, 1993 with my first winter on nights on Stevens Pass. I would fill in for stripers as needed and in 2003 I transferred to Striping and continued to work winter maintenance. In 2017 I transferred back to maintenance full time and this month I retire. I have worked with some tremendous people, seen some beautiful country, and so many good memories. I am a blessed man. These 34.5 years have gone by much faster than this one song- I hope the photos bring memories for you- I wish I had more time to include more of my friends and issues we dealt with. If you did not work with me- thank you for your patience and understanding on the highways. It is a team effort and I want to thank each one who made my time so much fun and such a success in my eyes. God Bless You.

Started 9/3/85 in Pasco- 
would drive to port of Entry(s) with these cars. 

Below was featured in "The Regulator"- The WUTC Newsletter
1986 in Review by MCLE Inspector 
Dennis Hendricks, WUTC, D-6, Pasco, Wa.
 Tis the night before Christmas-Just 3 hours to go
As I sit alone at Plymouth scale "Five-0"
 The sign flashes "park, bring your papers in"
It is quiet and I remember what a good year it has been
We Lost four to promotion, transfer or leave
That was Kevin, Tom, John and Steve. 
Joes' training and leadership is the best we all agree,
To Dave, Bob, Ed and Jim we give the name rookie 
The raises, the picnic, vacations were great,
The haz mate, first aid and tariff classes we appreciate
The day Joe and Ron decided at smoking there were through
The year Joes' car, computer, and copiers were new 
The log book lies and excuses we hear,
All make up a funny, exciting and memorable year
So working graveyard isn't quite as bad
When I stop to remember what a great year we had

My last day with WUTC was 10/3/93 and started next day with WSDOT with no break in service. My last day with WSDOT was 2-28-20

1993 on Stevens Pass with Randy Darlington who has retired. 

This was dress up night for dinner. Back then we were required to stay at Byrne camp for our shifts

We were on call for emergencies such as accidents, fires, road closures. This one was a Friday morning where 3 died on 97A, including a 5 year old boy, when the mountain slid- the loader is loading my truck front view. Later on this same highway, 2 miles from here,  on a sunday night, I would flag where 10 people would die in a head on crash caused by drinking

Above group photo taken a few years ago in Wenatchee- maybe a fourth are still working with WSDOT? I think I am in front row

 Photo taken in 04?- we had six on crew back then. Spent 14 summers with mostly this same crew

We had a reporter ride with us years ago, in fact we were not told it as a reporter riding with boss, so we were kinda loose with our answers- but you can see- we had FUN. I doubt if our boss approved of all our quotes. 

This was taken April of 2018 at the last retirement party I attended with most still living or still working for wsdot.

Here is a video I took 2 years ago- we stopped to help an accident and since a fight started- filming actually helped stop the situation I feel. You can hear me in the background as Phil calls this in to Wenatchee Radio

Happily Retired Now - YouTube