Rain poured down yesterday for most of the day. Goats hid in and under their shelters. Chickens hid in their house. Dogs slept on the porch.
Georgia called to tell me the water was up to the trees behind her house. She told me I’d better not go anywhere!
I told her I had kids to pick up from the bus!
We were talking in exclamation points!
I headed down my driveway. I could see trouble before I was all the way down.
The river was flooded, rushing wildly, out of its banks.
There was water running down the road.
The bridge over the creek on our driveway was stopped up with branches and brush and a tire that had washed down the creek from who knows where.
The water was flooding out over the driveway and into the road and part of the sheep’s field.
To leave our farm, you can either ford the river or drive through three creeks and go over the hill. I was headed for the old farmhouse where the kids get off the bus–through the three creeks and over the hill.
The creek running alongside the sheep’s field was full to the banks.
See the leaning tree? That’s the spot where I walk across the creek every morning to the shelter where I milk Beulah Petunia.
The creek makes a lot of noise when it’s high and running hard. You can’t hear anything else but rushing water. The river is even louder, but I was driving away from the river.
Creek crossings in fencelines always have to be checked after a flood because the pounding water and rolling debris, logs, branches, and other junk that gets caught up in the wild water often tears them down. This one was holding up so far.
The first creek is the deepest, and it’s full and running fast. I’m still thinking I can do this.
Now I’m thinking I can’t do this.
I’ve never driven across the creek when it’s this high before. I chicken out and have to back up a long way before I reach the drive up to the old cemetery where I can turn around.
Then I have to call Georgia and make her day by telling her she was right, and leave my children to spend the night at my cousin’s house.
Flood-stuck.
Barbee' says:
That looks really dangerous. I’m GLAD you chickened out. Shows good sense. So many people get washed away and drowned in their cars trying just what you considered. The force of rushing water is amazing.
On May 13, 2010 at 2:08 am
Shelly says:
Bummer, it sure fills up fast. Don’t take the chance. Georgia is right its too flooded. :no:
On May 13, 2010 at 3:21 am
CindyP says:
Wow! That was some fast water! Good think you only milk BP in the morning! Hopefully it’s down for you today!!
I am so glad I live at the top of a very steep bank from my creek!
On May 13, 2010 at 6:25 am
northcountrygirl says:
Dare Debbie: New goals: Get pilot’s license…build heliport…get helicopter. Is there no other way to redirect your driveway to avoid most of that? Wow! What you have to face just to leave home! I’m glad you chickened out as only a few inches of water can move a car. Take care!
On May 13, 2010 at 6:55 am
Diane says:
Oh my that is bad. Hope your sheep or cow did not get flooded out. We have a place down by a farm that gets flooded out when it rains bad. A big truck could go though it but not a car. I had to turn around many times. Better safe then sorry.
On May 13, 2010 at 6:55 am
blueberrylu says:
Were you able to get to Beulah Petunia to milk?
On May 13, 2010 at 6:58 am
Peggy says:
We recently have been dealing with floods in my area also. I am glad you decided to not cross the creek, because you and your children are now safe. Take care and keep those animals safe.
On May 13, 2010 at 6:58 am
Lori Skoog says:
That’s what I call a lot of water! Can you get to your cow? I hope the water level has gone down a little by now.
On May 13, 2010 at 7:14 am
Carmen C. says:
Good golly those creeks are high! I hope the water recedes soon so you can get out and your kiddos can get home!
On May 13, 2010 at 7:28 am
Melinda says:
I wouldnt call it chickening out…….I would call it making a wise decision. That water looked pretty swift and better a night at the cousins than a night searching for a swept away mama!
On May 13, 2010 at 8:15 am
Cheryl LeMay says:
Wow! I would never try that.Too dangerous. You really need some sort of bridge, even when it isn’t flooded.
On May 13, 2010 at 8:17 am
KentuckyFarmGirl says:
Glad you decided not to cross that! Hope the water goes down soon.
On May 13, 2010 at 8:45 am
Kieran says:
I’m so glad you didn’t risk it, Suzanne!!! Better safe than sorry.
On May 13, 2010 at 8:46 am
LauraP says:
I wouldn’t have crossed that water either. Heck, right now I’m still working myself up to walking out to see whether we’ll be wading in and out for a while here, too.
On May 13, 2010 at 8:58 am
Sue says:
:bugeyed: When are you going to put in a bridge? :sun: You could use some sunshine! :sun:
On May 13, 2010 at 9:50 am
Chic says:
You certainly live an exciting life over there Suzanne…if I was 20 years younger I’d be right in my element on your hill. I was fearless then..now I’m smarter and know better! Looks like you’re going to have a wonderful day with sunshine and heat and I guess that means high humidity too. Oh well at least the water will go down soon. Have a great day! Maura
On May 13, 2010 at 10:04 am
Donna says:
one big chicken in the road… smart move, Suzanne! Keep safe and dry!! :clover:
On May 13, 2010 at 10:06 am
IowaCowgirl says:
smart farmer to back up and not go in the drink!!!
On May 13, 2010 at 11:33 am
AA says:
It’s so beautiful though. I am envious everytime I see all that green. I now live in a desert-y part of TX and i don’t like it much. Nice weather in the winter, though I am even tired of that now sometimes.
I used to live in the hil country of TX and we had problems with creek and river crossings too. I know people who have gotten swept away.
On May 13, 2010 at 11:39 am
Nancy in Iowa says:
I’m with northcountrygirl – my first thought was that your next project needs to be a pilot’s license, and your next rescue should be a helicopter that needs a new home!!! It’s a good thing your kids are used to staying at your cousin’s house….
On May 13, 2010 at 11:40 am
BethAnn says:
I’m thinking the new summer project for 52 might be a few small bridges!
On May 13, 2010 at 11:41 am
Kathy in KY says:
Like they say here in KY: “turn around, don’t drown”. I’m glad you turned around, I just hope the water recedes and your critters aren’t in jeopardy. Take care of you and yours, Suzanne. :moo:
On May 13, 2010 at 11:45 am
Miss Becky says:
I looked at the rushing creek and at first thought imagined that I would have gone for it and then…on second thought decided that I, like you, would have thought better and turned around too! All in a day, huh? :happyflower:
On May 13, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Conny says:
Wow! Now instead of a helicopter, I’m thinking something more low tech, like a rope swing across the creek -or- a zip line (like those in a jungle). Hopefully this doesn’t happen too often. Yikes!
On May 13, 2010 at 1:24 pm
sahmcolorado says:
Oh – I definitely vote for the rope swing!! Suzanne of the jungle! 😆
On May 13, 2010 at 3:45 pm
JOJO says:
:woof:
HOLY CANOLY–that water is moving fast–best not to second guess your self when it comes to rushing water.
JOJO
ps–save the tire for a swing!
On May 13, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Amber says:
I’m glad you didn’t cross, that looks dangerous.
On May 13, 2010 at 10:43 pm
scorwin says:
Yes, I’m glad you didn’t try to cross. That’s scary! Oh, what about Beulah Petunia when she needs to be milked in the morning?? Hope it stops raining!
On May 13, 2010 at 11:21 pm
whaledancer says:
Oooo, good decision. Just think if you had crossed the creek and it continued to rise: you’d be stuck on the wrong side with no way to get to the animals. Scary. I hope the water goes down quickly.
Donna: “one big chicken in the road” 😆
On May 14, 2010 at 2:17 am
Dawn says:
Hi! I have never posted before, but had to say that you absolutely did the right thing. Crossing moving water in your car if it over 1/4 of your tires can be extremely dangerous! I am enjoying your blog and especially your relationship with Georgia!
On May 15, 2010 at 9:53 am
lavenderblue says:
Okaaaay?!I don’t drive. At all. Period. So the thought of anything like this terrifies me, but my question is… With all that gadawful water rushing around, how did you have the presence of mind to take pictures? While backing up? “Chicken” in the road, indeed.
On May 15, 2010 at 10:34 am