Came face to face with my physical limitations last night. Southbound, I-25 from Chugwater, WY in a nasty Wyoming snow storm, was passed by a Jeep Liberty with California plates. How nasty was the storm? How often do you see a highway snowplow spun out in the center median? Since I’m always pushing the limits, anyone who passes me is going well into the danger zone.
About ten miles from Cheyenne, came over the top of a hill in time to see the Jeep, about a mile ahead of me, go from the left lane to over the right side of the road. As I slowed, I could see the Jeep, on it’s wheels, lights burning bright (engine still running), and not on fire, at the bottom of a 50’ embankment. Don’t know if he rolled it, hit the fence, or just spun out. For certain, I knew that I wasn’t physically able to climb down that steep, icy, snow covered embankment to check the occupants condition, and then climb back up. Would become another casualty. Instead, continued to Cheyenne where my cell phone would work (cheap, unreliable carrier - Cricket) and called for help.
It burns that I can no longer do the things I took for granted most of my life. It burns that I couldn’t offer any immediate help to the Jeep occupants.
On a more cheerful note, one delivery was to a mine vehicle shop and I was able to wander around the equipment. Big, big equipment! How often do you look up at a wheel hub?
The machines in the last two pictures are obsolete and too small for today’s operations. I usually drive past them in the dark.
6 comments:
Getting old sucks indeed. I would not be able to help someone in that way, either. You did the right thing. And just because they were driving like morons doesn't mean they deserved the accident... but I bet if they survived it, they'll slow the fuck down next time.
Smart move on your part, you DID do the right thing! And obsolete or not, they're STILL damn big pieces of equipment!!!
My mother gave me some wisdom a LONG time ago. Her words: "The older I get, the more excuses I have for being the way I am."
I now use the very words to my advantage whenever possible! ;-)
@ Ami. Checked news sources today. No fatalities reported in the area.
@NFO. The EMTs I know say I did the right thing. Still burns that I needed to do the right thing.
Your mother is a wise woman.
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