Adventures In Driving, Or Never Back Down Our Driveway If You Drive a Cement Truck - 6/14/12

The day started out smoothly enough. The concrete guys were here first to finalize the forms for the patio, the guy with the pumping machine arrived next, and lastly the cement truck. 

All he had to do was keep the drum turning and the concrete discharging, while the other guys worked on the patio in back. 

A few hours later, his services were no longer required and he set out to head to the next job. To my surprise, instead of maneuvering a 3-point turn, he proceeded to back down the driveway. Our driveway is a sharp S-curve and on a hill, and it's difficult to back up or down in a car. But being suitably impressed with what I assumed were his driving skills, I started to photograph him.

Looking to his left,

Still looking to his left,

Telephone pole coming up photo left,

Contact!

At this point I watched him pull forward and move into reverse, repeatedly, and the telephone pole, which contains our power and cable lines, going with him. As I rushed out of the house, I saw the cement guy yelling at him to stop. The driver had no idea what havoc he was causing. He just knew he was stuck on something.

A tricky situation indeed. The driver's boss was called and came out with a mechanic and they decided they'd have to blow-torch-trim the bumper to extricate the truck. They'd be back in an hour. In the meantime, the driver was left to his own devices. He cleaned the truck and rued his actions (I'm assuming).

The cavalry arrived and the sparks flew.

At one point I was asked to move when they had the truck shift the telephone pole back into alignment. Then I was asked for a hammer, and the shovel-holder (company owner) banged off the offending piece of bumper. 

They propped up the pole, filled in the truck tracks, and offered to replace a decimated bush. Solid company. We'll have the electric company evaluate the pole but at least it still stands.

Drive forward, my friends!

Grand River Drive Walk - 5/17/12

Something was obviously amiss at the intersection.

I traversed on and found Dame's Rocket, masquerading as always as Wild Phlox, and Virburnum that's perhaps more notable in the fall/winter for its berries.

I circled up through the cemetery and was touched by the care taken of this tombstone, so old the dates were worn away.

Passing Holiday Farm, I decided to see what was happening, if anything, with Carl's Creek Preserve. 

All I found was this bridge to a neighboring property and an old chair that brought "Psycho" to mind. I didn't investigate further.

                                            I love my Grand River Drive neighbors :-)

Sometimes the sounds of nature are as pleasant, or more so, than the sights but I was lucky enough today to both hear and see Orioles and Bluebirds. After a visit to the horses, I headed back, just in time to see the stop sign being put in place, the perfect bookend to my walk. But before that I felt a little sorry for the bugs caught in this web. Be careful out there, my friends.

Things Seen On An Afternoon Walk

This decaying log covered in moss and lichens brought

Thich Nhat Hanh to mind.

"Our true nature is the nature of no birth and no death." 

I was brought out of my reverie by a jackdaw overseeing a creek, 

a huge, orange flying fish,  

and one of the least compelling real estate signs ever created :) 

??

They went that-a-way.

A gnarly optical illusion.

Just gnarly.

Peckerwood,

and other images from the changing season.

Wishing you all serenity and tranquility.