Okay. So. About yesterday! What can I say? I’m from the city. I didn’t think it was that deep. (Put that on my tombstone–Famous last words: “She didn’t think it was that deep!” LOL.) So then my car is, like, in the water. I had an immediate sense that this was it, this car was so over, and I felt totally calm. I had just been to town, to pay my car insurance payment. I’m not kidding!!! So I looked around and figured out what I should get. My purse, obviously. My camera, which I always have with me. And my CDs. There was this man across the road and he kept yelling at me to get out of the car, it’s going to wash away. I opened the door–into the water–and yelled back at him that I was fine and I was getting my CDs. The car wasn’t in any near danger of washing away and I had the door open so I could get out any time I wanted to, but just in case it was to wash away later– Not going anywhere without my CDs. I got my CDs, slogged out of the car, walked down the road in search of who else but Steve-the-Builder, who I knew would take a toothpick and some wire and fly me out of there.
Which he did.
Then Steve-the-Builder’s brother showed up, because of course everyone around here is related to everyone else and the tow truck guy is Steve-the-Builder’s brother. He said, “I rushed over here because the report I got was that you were stuck on top of your car and were about to die.” I said, “I was just fine and I told that guy I was just getting my CDs!” And he was really nice. He and Steve-the-Builder and his two sons all tried really hard not to let me see them laughing, and I took pictures, and then my car went away.
And I got a new one and it’s fab and I’ll try not to do anything else stupid for at least a couple more months, but that might be difficult because I’m so me.
Mental Pause Mama says:
I don’t know why, but I got such a kick out of this tale…maybe you should get an amphibious vehicle. What with all that water everywhere!
On February 6, 2008 at 7:48 am
jan says:
You do realize that if you aren’t already the talk of the town, you are now…”Do you know what that city slicker did today….?” But isn’t it reassuring to know that you have so many kinghts in shining armour to rescue you! You gotta love those big ole hearts!
On February 6, 2008 at 7:55 am
Kim A. says:
I love your blog, Suzanne. I get such a charge out of your adventures and they always get my day off to a great start.
So thank you!
-Kim :hug:
On February 6, 2008 at 8:06 am
becki says:
“16”, who totaled last year’s car, is never going to let you live this down. Give everyone a hug. 🙂
On February 6, 2008 at 8:07 am
kacey says:
I need a Steve-the-builder around to save me when I do silly stuff like this!
On February 6, 2008 at 8:56 am
Jill says:
LOL. Loved the pics of your rescue. I only got the after shot of mine, when the husband was giving me the look as he finished pulling my car out of the snow bank . . .
On February 6, 2008 at 9:40 am
Becky says:
Ahahahahahahaahaaaaa!!!! Sorry, but I’m dying laughing here.
Okay, I gotta know… what CDs do you love so much that you would have to save them from being washed away?
Seriously, it doesn’t take a lot of water to wash a car away. Even if you think it’s not going to wash away, if it’s too deep to drive through, you should get out… just so you know.
I’m glad you’re OK.
:drowning:
On February 6, 2008 at 10:32 am
Alice Audrey says:
You really lost the car over a little water? Humph. Get a Jeep. :no:
On February 6, 2008 at 10:40 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
The insurance adjuster estimated it at $17,000 in damage. I know, almost unbelievable! So, of course, that number totalled the car.
On February 6, 2008 at 10:43 am
Fannie M Wiggins says:
I am still laughing over this one. CD’s can be replaced, YOU can’t. :drowning: You should have gotten a Hummer. They are built for this situation. Plus they go anywhere. If I remember correctly, you have 3 of these creeks to drive thru just to get to the new house, so you really need a go anywhere vehicle. Glad you are okay and have such handsome men around to help when the going gets rough. I wish I had at least one. Enjoy the new car and take care. Have a great day and :hug: to all.
On February 6, 2008 at 10:55 am
JenniferB says:
Glad you are okay and that you obviously have awesome insurance to be able to go right out and replace the vehicle. Smart one that, having the car drown after paying the payment. :thumbsup:
Have a great day!
p.s. How is 52?
On February 6, 2008 at 11:09 am
Amy says:
What did 52 have to say about this? How long before he stopped laughing?
On February 6, 2008 at 11:14 am
Gloria Jean says:
I discovered your blog last month and I LOVE it. I live in the city and would certainly have figured that, if I drove slowly and carefully, I would have been able to get through thst creek. It’s not like it was actively pouring down in the pictures! Thanks for the recipes, too!
On February 6, 2008 at 11:39 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Thank you, Gloria Jean! I swear it didn’t look that deep!!!
Re 52’s reaction–he said he liked how I total cars better than how 16 does it.
You can see how 16 totals cars here–
https://chickensintheroad.com/blog/2007/05/29/mom-i-wrecked-the-car/
Re my CDs–they’re ALL important, LOL! I took them ALL!
On February 6, 2008 at 11:51 am
Jodie says:
I grew up with low water crossings all over the place in San Antonio TX… so my Dad told me NEVER to go into the water to cross one. Be very careful with the streams you have to ford to get to your new farmhouse too! You’ve got to tell us what the name of your insurance company is! They sound like they are very quick and wonderful.
On February 6, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Melissa says:
I’m sorry, I must be a bit slow today. It doesn’t look like the car went that deep, it is, after all, an SUV, so, how did it sustain $17,000 worth of damage?!
Sorry to be so nosy. I’m just flabbergasted. 😮
On February 6, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Melissa, I was flabbergasted, too, believe me! The adjuster had several full pages of items that would have to be replaced to put the car back in working order. Major items included the engine, transmission, and the car’s computer/electronic systems being ruined, along with a whole slew of smaller items, then the massive labor estimate. It was a shocking list! The car was nearly totalled twice over by the number.
It’s surprising how few items can total a car. When 16 had his accident, the airbag deployment alone would have totalled the car. (Airbags are extremely expensive.)
On February 6, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Karen says:
Was your car really ruined? my dad once drove me and my five sisters and mom through a “small” creek to get to hucklberries on the other side. It was with a station wagon. We got stuck in the middle of the creek, where the water level at the floor boards. We did get out to the other side, picked our berries and came home a different route. But the car still worked. We even did more 4x4ing trips in it through the mountains.
On February 6, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Tori Lennox says:
Wow! That’s quite a list of damages!
On February 6, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Brandy says:
WHOA! $17,000 worth of damage? Can you come and figure out how I can total my PIA van? *g*
On February 6, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Brandy says:
I’m kidding! Sorta.
On February 6, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Alice Audrey says:
I guess if muddy water got in the wrong places… but maybe it’s the way they make cars now a days.
On February 6, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Susan says:
We rural folks might do a little chuckling, okay a lot, but we would never leave you stranded! 😆
Yikes, $17,000! That is unbelievable. 😮
On February 6, 2008 at 2:46 pm
catslady says:
I am amazed too – I guess it’s the city slicker in me because I didn’t think it was very deep either. Both my daughters had their cars considered totaled – the first was just a minor bump to the next car (from an exboyfriend who was driving) but those darn airbags went off and obviously the car wasn’t anywhere near that expensive. The other car was hit pretty hard and apparently it bent the whole frame. It is really shocking that repairs cost so much to consider them unfixable.
On February 6, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Estella says:
Suzanne, you live such an interesting life!
On February 6, 2008 at 3:56 pm
lintys says:
I’m so glad I found your blog! You crack me up! :rotfl: And I’m green with envy over your lifestyle. You’re living my fantasy life. . . sigh. . . I guess for now I’ll just have to enjoy it vicariously.
On February 6, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Claudia W says:
Sounds like something I would do! What I need to know is: How did you get a new car so quickly? I want your insurance company!!!
On February 6, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Mental Pause Mama says:
Well…thank goodness you are okay. Isn’t that right? Oh, by the way, you’re tagged! Too fun. Please visit me to find out the details!
On February 6, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Granny Sue says:
A :rotfl: happy ending and all is well, so it’s funny. I can just imagine my neighbors if I did something like that. (Well, walking through floodwaters is looked at kinda funny too). Keep ’em laughing–Walton needs a little excitement!
I enjoy your perspective on it, too–you may not be from here, but you look at things the same easy-going way. Got a problem, figure it out, call a few neighbors, fix the problem, and have a good story to tell for years afterwards.
On February 6, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Baby Island says:
OMG, Look at that mess of water pouring out the door of your car. I’m going to go clean out my car and find a stream to ford…No, not really, but sheesh what pictures!
Love it.
On February 7, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Sheila says:
Ok quick question (and sorry if it seems stupid) but how hard / easy is it / was it to adjust to farm life after leaving the city? (I’m a city girl myself but would love to someday live on a farm).My hubby thinks I’m being ridiculous and laughed at me for it , but I just keep dreaming :/.
On December 7, 2010 at 12:21 am