LOL, you're making me homesick, Lee. I've done many things related to the oilfield; roustabout gang (Champlin), logging & perforating (Thor-Jet), Making drill collars (Drilco), gauger/lease operator (Hewett & Dougherty), gas plant / refinery operator (Exxon). About the only thing I didn't do is roughnecking, but still spent time on the rigs while logging & perforating. I liked going offshore. Man was the food good!
You're right about the ruggedness. Of course, it really gets rugged just west of Alice, over toward Freer. I worked cattle off of a horse some over there. My BIL and his buddy were about the best head & heelers I ever saw.
