Traveling manhole covers

College of Charleston campus, Charleston, SC  

I've had my eye on manhole and storm sewer covers lately, some decorative, some plain. I noticed that this one was made in India. That is a long way for a manhole cover to travel. After a photographer documented the process and factory the New York Times did an article on it and put factory safety measures in place. A picture can be worth a thousand words. 

Storm sewer designs

Storm Sewer, Charleston, SC  

I thought this was a pretty decorative storm sewer drain until I googled Storm Sewer Cover designs. The things I learn down the google rabbit hole are amazing and time consuming. Did you know some cities have storm sewer design contests and use the winning designs all over the city? Kansas City, Vancouver and North East Ohio had design contests as well. It looks like storm sewer design contests were a big thing in 2014, 2015. Sadly the web sites haven't been updated to showcase the winning entries.

I had the urge to learn how to cook some Cuban dishes after my recent trip. I thought I should test a few before I shared them with friends so I just took a roast pork out of the oven and finished simmering rice and beans. Smells darn good in there. I hope it all warms up nicely when I am actually hungry. 

Storm Sewer Babe

Storm Sewer Drain Cover, Charleston, S.C.

Not too shabby for a storm sewer drain cover.

Many years ago I fell in one down by White Point Gardens. The round over was loose and I was marching along quickly. I stepped on it, it flipped up and I fell in. I had nasty gashes on my legs and was lucky I didn't break both of them. I was able to get out and when I got home I called the city to report it so it wouldn't happen to someone else. A lady answered the phone and with a lazy drawl said, "you sound like you're alright". Yup. I could have snapped both my legs off but because I could talk she wasn't impressed.

I've been a little wary of these sewer covers ever since but this is a pretty one.