Wednesday, April 27, 2011

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.

4 comments:

Kathy's Klothesline said...

I have a healthy fear of driving in water. Hate tunnels, too. Glad youmade it to high land. I am also sick of the rain!!

Hillbilly Mom said...

Kathy,
I don't especially enjoy driving over long bridges, like across the Mississippi. Or a lengthy causeway type of water-crossing.

And now that you mention it, I don't think I'm very fond of tunnels, either.

Mommy Needs a Xanax said...

You would not like going to New Orleans, then. The Pontchartrain bridge is, like, super long. Super duper long. Like 24 miles. After the first few miles, you just sorta forget you're over the water.

Hillbilly Mom said...

MommyNeeds,
Yikes! That's the bridge I was thinking of, but I forgot its name. I would need some strong meds to travel that highway of death. No forgettin' I'm over water for ME.