Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
It's amazing how this stretch of road below the Crandall Canyon Mine that was such a hub of activity for weeks has suddenly turned into a ghost town. I was the only reporter to be live up here this morning. My only company? Sheriff's deputies and a squirrel that's sprinting across the rocks on the hillside in front of me.
In a way, it's sad to see this place reduced to its natural form. That means this story is near its end, and, unfortunately, that end isn't a good one for families of the six trapped miners. It seems like as the media leaves, so does hope and optimism about this story. I'm not sure why it feels that way. At least when you had satellite trucks here from CNN, NBC, Fox News, plus all the locals ... you felt like the miners had a fighting chance. Now ... it feels to be more a matter of mathematics, time and consolation.
In my in-depth report this morning, I remarked on how when you're waiting and waiting and nothing happens, you start noticing the ordinary sights and sounds around you. I believe it's part of trying to stay sane. I notice a distinct difference here this morning not having any satellite trucks on scene. There motors are constantly going. So is the sound of the river beside me.
It's been a unique experience being a part of such a major story. The pace at times was intense, and always involving. A colleague of mine called it a "marathon more than a race," and it certainly has been that. It leaves you feeling melancholy, though, that everyone seems to be plodding dejectedly toward the end of this one.
