This week at BuildWitt…
I was utterly wrong, I shot one of my best photos to date, and we smashed cars with D10s. Talk about highs and lows…
I Was Wrong!
Frankly, the past few months have worn me down. In May, I visualized what my July Fourth could look like to keep myself on the path.
I'd have our Series A investment round closed, a huge real estate deal done, and dare I say, even a dash of romance? The best 4th of my life!
Fast-forward to 7/4/22, and I tallied up my score. To save you the time of guessing, I'll tell you what I got — 0/3!
I was completely wrong, not by a little, but by a mile.
Despite the hefty dose of humility, I wasn't crushed. The lesson — I'm not in control of outcomes. All I can do is give each day my best, and everything will happen when the time's right.
For now, I'll keep my head down and give today everything I've got.
Yosemite
Two years ago, I saw one of my favorite photographers, Chris Burkard, post about Glacier Point in Yosemite closing for construction.
If you're unfamiliar with Glacier Point, it's one of the most scenic places in all of America, as it overlooks the Yosemite Valley.
Not only is the point beautiful, but the road leading to it is remarkable in its own right, with one curve providing an incredible view of the iconic Half Dome. World-class photographers have captured cars, longboarders, and skiers cruising the curve with Half Dome towering in the background.
What if I could photograph a machine in the same spot?
I found the right people to call, and earlier this week, we drove through the Yosemite Valley and arrived at a closed gate at the bottom of Glacier Point's road.
The flagger waved us through, and we were soon after cruising up the hill toward our objective.
We arrived, hopped out of the car with our cameras, and one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen was there to greet us.
Despite the view, there wasn't much work at the famous roadway curve...
We waited. We then heard the hum of a grader from around the corner. As the machine made only two passes to smooth the torn-up road out for trucks, the four of us captured every second of it.
The photo below is the result. One of my favorite photos ever… It's incredible how so much work and effort can culminate in a single moment.
Smashed Cars
My friend Josh McCahill, owner of McCahill's Bulldozer Service, runs a tree and vineyard removal company near Fresno, California. Since we were in the area, we had to visit.
A few days before arriving, I got the following text —" There is a very good chance we are going to smash two cars with both D10s while you guys are visiting."
Say no more…
We pulled into Josh's yard as the sun rose across farmland covered in trees and vines. There were two cars, a Honda Civic and Ford Mustang. Josh (a former sheriff) bought them from the Sheriff's Department after their owners were arrested for DUIs.
Go time.
The D10s, typically used for deep-ripping farmland, roared to life and positioned themselves in front of and behind the first car, the Honda. The goal was to crush the cars by ramming them with both dozers simultaneously.
Once we were in position with about 100 cameras, Josh gave the signal, and in seconds, the car folded in half at the command of the two 150,000-pound machines. I haven't had such a big smile on my face in a long time!
After the dust settled, I jumped into the 950 loader to clear the first car and reset with the other. Again, as Josh gave the signal, the D10s roared and turned the former muscle car into a dense cube of metal, old car interior, and engine.
We couldn't believe how quickly the dozers squished the cars. I greatly admire the power of machines but seeing what they can do to something as familiar as a car puts their strength into a different perspective.
Want to see the footage? Stay tuned — it'll be on my YouTube channel soon!
Thanks for reading this week, and we'll see you on the next one.
Stay dirty!
