BETHESDA CRANE WEEK: LIFE OF A CRANE OPERATOR

Bethesda Crane Week continues!  Wednesday, you learned crane signals.  But what about the brave men and women who climb into the clouds and operate these machines?

It's not a lifestyle for the faint of heart!

Up on these rigs, even getting lunch is a major operation.  And there's no elevator ride to the top, either.

Experience the crane operator's non-operating challenges vicariously, in these exclusive photos:

In this close-up, you can see the ladders leading
up to the crane rig.  That's Triangle Towers in
the background

Click to enlarge this, and you'll see an
intrepid crane man making the climb

The day is over, but the crane men can't carry
their lunch coolers down; they're lowered down

A long way down!

"Hope I screwed that Thermos lid on tight!"

"Don't drop my egg salad!"

In case you doubted those were really lunch coolers

DO YOU KNOW YOUR CRANE SIGNALS? - BETHESDA CRANE WEEK

After a day off for torrential downpours, Bethesda Crane Week is back in full swing (pun intended).

Today, we should brush up on crane signals.   In fact, everyone in downtown Bethesda should!  If you know the signals, you'll be able to follow the action at the Monty and That 70s Building construction sites like a pro.

Crane signals - click for larger image

With crane fever spreading in downtown Bethesda, I expect workers to empty out of offices at lunch, and head to Bethesda Lane for a crane signal workout.  When I think of the large dance and yoga gatherings held previously outdoors at Bethesda Row, my thought is, why not crane signals?

Sure, maybe you know the latest dance moves, but do you know how to "Lower the Boom" or "Dog everything?"

It's just a matter of time before Equinox adds a Crane Signal Workout!

PANORAMIC PHOTO OF CRANES IN BETHESDA SKYLINE - EXCLUSIVE!

Here's an exclusive, panoramic photo of the downtown Bethesda skyline, that captures both cranes in the shot!

Click to enlarge!

Another Crane Week exclusive from Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row!

Check out more crane photos in this photo gallery exclusive.