Hookups Bridge Builders 1993

MAY 1993:  It was Saturday night and my wife and I were settled in watching television at our home in Hermosa Beach when the phone rang--it was my brother-in-law, Doctor Robb.  "Have a question for you" he stated, "have you thought about when you are going to complete the remainder of the bridge over Lake HiRi at Newberry".  Caught by surprise, I really did not have an answer when he continued, "I am with the Hookups on a camping weekend and a discussion came up related to the bridge--some of the members are willing to assist in completing the project".  At our desert property free labor is something you never turn down so I told him it sounded good to me.  "I was just wondering and will get back to you," he noted, and with that Doctor Robb rang off and I was left with a mind full of thoughts.  I saw visions of the Hookups sitting around a fire pit with a bottle of fine wine, discussing jobs that will never be done and battles that will never be fought, and dismissed the bridge idea with a smile.  Little did I know at the time that I was the only one who had dismissed the thought, others were already considering ways to implement an action plan.

Over the next month I had a number of general discussions with Doctor Robb about the bridge but nothing concrete.  Sometime later, we met at the desert with Art Keenan of the Hookups, and when this weekend was over there was no question in my mind that a completed bridge would span Lake HiRi.  Art took measurements and photographs, and discussed out thoughts on the design of the bridge.  He developed an extensive set of construction plans in conjunction with a material list.  He established the sequential steps and necessary material so that construction groups could all work at the same time without being in each others way.  He established a tool list and a numbered paper bag system for the hardware needed with each function.  Art is the most organized and attention to detail person I have ever met and when it came to implementing the plan, it worked.  Over the summer Art came to the desert a number of times and helped in doing all the little things that had to be accomplished prior to actual construction.

A weekend in October, 1993, was established as the Bridge Building Weekend for the Hookups.  On that early cold Saturday morning there were workers everywhere, the Hookups had showed up in mass along with other members of their families and friends.    Art did not blink an eye, he established work groups, handed out their marching orders, and watched his plan go into action.  Doctor Robb and I are indebted to Art Keenan for his time and commitment, and to the Hookups of Southern California for their time and significant effort constructing a bridge over Lake HiRi.  The sequence of events that was started on that Saturday night in May culminated in a bridge dedication ceremony at the biannual Hookups Desert excursion; April 1994.  And did those Margaritas taste good.......... The Hookups are always welcome at Lake HiRi either in mass, or as individuals.  Many thanks from the Hicks and Rice Families 
      The Finished Product, A Bridge Over Lake HiRi.
The Dedication Plaque lists the following Families:  Barney Fry....Dave Ford....Ken Hanke....Jeff Hicks.... Robb Hicks....Art Keenan...Pat Keenan....Bob Miller....Steve Miller....Ernie Packer....Bob Peterson....Hank Rice....Al Roh....Jeff Snyder....Jim Vincent....Paul Vincent....Jim Waltrip....Jim Ware.   

OVERVIEW OF WEEKEND by Tiz and Barney Fry
PHOTOGRAPHS:

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