Son of a Ditch!

26 years driving in Wisconsin winters. 26 years of not really even a close call. But I ended up in the ditch last tuesday. Yup. The car upshifted at 35 mph, the back end of the hoopty slides right. The sphincter tightens. I cross the center line and slide into some farmer's field, facing the highway.

You know, I wonder why the road crew didn't salt or sand on a day when the temperatures were predicted to drop way below freezing. For days. I'm glad hurricanes don't happen here.

A nice family stopped to make sure all was well. Thanks guys! But I called 911 to get a trooper out there. The 12 year old cop arrived and asked me my wrecker preference. I said whatever gets here quick. We went back to our cars.

KNOCK KNOCK. Sphincter tightens again. It was the farm owner. I roll down my window and the man says "I wouldn't mind if you tried to drive out". Seeing the 60 degree angle I'd have to traverse, I shake my head. But he doesn't give up. "I'll push, just give 'er the gas!" Fine. Won't work, but this guy's nice.

After a couple of abortive attemtps, the car goes up and on the highway. WTF?!

All I can do is wave at the guy and yell "THANKS!!!". He gives me a wave and walks back to the barn.

I pull up behind the cop car, get out, and run up to his passenger window. "I got out", I say. The cop looks at me, cranks his neck around to look at the ditch, and looks at me. "Oh!" He apparently thought I was backup pulling up behind him (I have a Grand Marquis just like him). He never saw me get out. "I think we're all set", I say, and get back in my car and return home at 5 mph.

Crap! I know I got out and all, and I owe the farmer (Fleet Farm gift certificate on it's way), but I hated it. Never want to do it again. It sucks.