Rain for Rent

By Nancy Covert

After all the recent rainfall, why would anyone want to “rent” rain? That thought skittered through those “little grey cells” as I stood on the Chambers Bay Properties’ pedestrian overpass bridge this past Wednesday, pondering the question.

A long-awaited excursion over that soaring ramp took place after I’d learned from a friendly CB shuttle bus driver that, “oh, you can drive down and park at the Central Meadow lot.”

Back to the Rain topic in a moment.

While lunching at the course’s grill earlier that afternoon and concluding that the panoramic view from the glassed-in outdoor dining area was almost—but not quite the same as—the view from the deck at the former ER Rogers (aka Waverly) Restaurant, I considered getting a closer look.

Following a yummy meal (chicken curry soup, an open-face crab and cheese melt sandwich; washed down with a glass of iced tea), I knew I could use the exercise.

En route to the walkway (four trains passed beneath) I photographed the leftover concrete storage bin walls from the days of the Pioneer Sand and Gravel operation (circa 1945)—in a certain slant of light they reminded me of those leaning Easter Island faces!

Other scenic views included progress at the Pierce County Wastewater Treatment Plant, artistic shots of the “egg slicer” bridge, a sign reminding pedestrians about proper bridge etiquette, and five blue storage containers.

Those five cars each bore the logo,  “Rain for Rent.”

A nearby, knowledgeable technician explained that BNSF Railroad had hired the company to remove materials from the remnants of this past winter’s freight train derailment.