It turned out to be a party…of sorts! A very fun one at that, seeing that it was me and four of our teen aged grandkids that attended. And it happened spontaneously…certainly nothing we planned to be doing that overcast Sunday afternoon. At the end of our almost two hours together we had some lasting memories!
It was the weekend that most of our family made it back to the farm for our family Christmas. Several of us attended church together, and decided to have a family “pizza picnic” in our church kitchen before leaving Worthington to head north back into home territory. Myself, three granddaughters, and one of our grandsons were riding together in our van. The roads had been icy, so I chose to drive as far as our farm, but then as we continued on toward Slayton, our grandson asked if he could drive.
The roads actually were pretty clear coming home except for the gravel roads, so I decided to let him take the wheel. He is a careful driver, but just learning this important skill of driving. While on the blacktop west of Fulda, trying to get away from the snow packed edge, he over corrected and began to slide toward the north ditch. In we went, at a very slow pace, so no one was hurt by the time we came to rest in a couple feet of snow. However the ditch is rather deep, so we weren’t going to get out without help.
It wasn’t a cold day, so we were not worried about whatever wait we would have for help to come. We all began to talk and laugh, teasing our grandson about his first “off road” adventure! We had just talked to Grandpa Dan telling him we would see him soon, but now had to call back and give him the updated news. He said “really”…and then said he would come our way after going home to retrieve a tractor and chain to pull us out. As we waited, I asked my grandkids several things about their lives, school, and even plans for the summer. One of the girls is a senior, so she shared her hopes for the months after her upcoming graduation.
Within just a few minutes the first red pick-up stopped to see if we needed help. My grandson explained that his grandpa was on his way and we would be fine. The four teens did not believe that within the first twenty minutes four more vehicles stopped to check on us. I was kind of surprised myself, but I assured them that we live in a very friendly area, and people are great to respond when help is needed. Every time another person slowed down, my grandson was more embarrassed to have someone see that he had gone into the ditch. Between them stopping, and his cousins teasing him, he was being humbled by the awkward situation.
My oldest granddaughter was in the back of the van and began asking if anyone was hungry! Suddenly pizza was coming forward, along with sliced apples and root beer. We had transported all of the lunch leftovers in the back of our van, so we were in good shape. The two sisters in the middle seats asked if I happened to have a knife. Yes I did! I always carry a paring knife and some other eating utensils in the glove compartment just for such a time. To my astonishment, they used the knife to cut off the tops of two empty water bottles and proceeded to fill them with snow from the ditch outside their door. Then they poured root beer into the bottles making a delicious “ Icy”. Next they wondered if I had straws in that same compartment. Yup, they were in luck.
All of this eating, and now telling stories and laughing, made for a fun time stuck in the ditch! Pretty soon I see the oldest granddaughter in the way back, using the knife to cut a piece of coconut crème pie. Her snack looked and smelled pretty good, just a little messy as it was the first piece to be cut, and with just napkins for plates.
Soon grandpa appeared with both of our sons to come to our rescue. All three of them had to scoop snow away from the tires before the chain and tractor could do their jobs. We felt badly that they had to work so hard while we were still laughing and talking and having fun inside, where it was warm and comfortable. With all three of them working to “free” us, it didn’t take them too long.
Soon we were back on the road, and the teens and I said goodbye for a few hours. They finally went to Slayton with their dads, and Dan and I returned home with the tractor and van. The power steering belt had broken, and the space under the hood needed to be warmed up so the packed in snow could melt and be cleaned out. Crazy how much snow could be wedged up under the hood and fenders from just sliding into the ditch in slow motion!
Hopefully that will be the last time I sit in the ditch this winter. But one never knows what exciting adventures await around the next bend!
lbeerman68@gmail.com
