07 September 2014

Rocket Man




Nineteen months ago, copier serviceman Bill Guernsey was in the middle of a trip to several villages along the Kuskokwim River when his plane crashed into the river ice on takeoff from Upper Kalskag. Thankfully, Guernsey was alive, but he was seriously hurt.

Seven ribs were fractured, and that’s not all. “My back was broken in three places,” he recalled. “My neck was whacked out and my scalp was ripped from eyebrow to ear.


“I was in the hospital for 10 days. I begged them to let me out.”

But Guernsey managed to turn tragedy to triumph by using his ample recovery time to focus on the fine details of what’s become one of the builder/tinkerer’s signature projects -- a 16-foot-long bright red rocket on wheels that stands out in the quiet mid-Hillside Anchorage neighborhood where he lives.



Follow the link for more photos, and the rest of the story.

8 comments:

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev. Paul,

Nice trailer!!! Obviously the good Lord had other plans for Bob Guernsey.

Home on the Range said...

That is the coolest thing I've seen this year.

Rev. Paul said...

Sandy, that's a distinct possibility. ;)

Brigid, I had a feeling you'd appreciate his handiwork.

Chickenmom said...

I sure do agree with Brigid! By the way - lots of good stories in that newspaper, too!

threecollie said...

That is pretty neat

Rev. Paul said...

Chickenmom - thanks. And yes, our news is ... different.

threecollie - it's a pretty good example of just how unique Alaskans tend to be. :)

Old NFO said...

That is some great work!!! And yes, other plans for that gent!

Rev. Paul said...

Agreed, sir!