Fording In A Ranger

I normally enjoy a nice rainy day. But after six of them, my love has grown cold.

We have been taking a circuitous route to school because of our flooded bridges. It adds about five minutes to the trip.

Tonight, after an interlude in which we witnessed the #1 son's induction into the Newmentia chapter of the National Honor Society, we rushed home to the Mansion. Today was one big nonstop deluge. The rivers and creeks were already groaning like a pampered uncle who ate too much meatloaf at Thanksgiving dinner. (Because he would eat no fish or fowl, and Grandma spoiled him).

The #1 son arrived at the last creek first. Meaning, before Pizza Delivery H or I. He called to ask permission to drive through "...ankle deep water that I know I can make it through." I have a thing about fording low-water bridges. Because when the boys were in the single-digit ages, I drove my Yukon through one such submerged link to civilization. It was only about 8 inches deep. In the last four feet of that fifty-foot crossing, I started to slide down current. I will not put myself in that situation again.

I told #1 that I was about two miles behind him. To STAY PUT until I took a look at the overflow. He was not pleased. But did as he was told. This little low-water crossing is the last before the steep incline to Mansion Acres. It is short, about five feet across, and level, not a dip. I could see the concrete through the water. It was about 4 inches deep. I told #1 to straighten out his little red Ranger for the approach, put it in 4wd, and go for it. Mission accomplished. I followed. Pizza Delivery H came along in the next five minutes.

We are safely ensconced in the Mansion while the water rises all around the various bridges. It will go down by morning. And I think we have two days of dry weather in our future.