Today was an interesting day. I left the apartment this morning at a quarter-past eight and headed for a meeting in Marion. I met with a bunch of other pastors at College Church’s youth building and ate lunch at Fazoli’s.
Oh how I love that place.
I was back in Warsaw by 2:30 – after quite the fun trip back! Who would’ve thought that with the temperature above freezing today the snow that had been pushed off the roads would melt enough to blow right back onto those roads! It was an interesting ride, for sure.
After work I came home for about 30-minutes before heading to the Helfrich’s for Bible Study. We were meeting early tonight to go out and grab some Taco Bell with Craig and Matt Hunter. Well, Matt Hunter drives a Jeep, and that’s where the “real” story begins tonight.
Two nights ago – on Saturday, I got my first 4-wheel driving experience in the back seat of Matt VanKirk’s truck. Not just “4-wheeling” down the highway or anything trivial like that, but 4-wheeling through a field across from Matt Hunter’s home.
Two words: great fun.
Honestly, driving in snow and drifts of snow is an incredible experience that I will remember for a long time – going over hills and into ditches and coming out on the other side without a hurt vehicle is an awesome thing to watch on television – let alone, sit inside of!
So tonight, we’re on the road to Taco Bell, me in the back of the Jeep, Matt Hunter driving and Craig riding shotgun.
I decided that my timing was perfect as we pulled to the stopsign – LEFT meant Taco Bell, RIGHT meant heading to the 4-wheel trails.
I said, “Hey, we should take the ‘short-cut’ and show Craig what this thing can do in the trails!”
Matt took the bait and we were off.
We pulled into the empty lot where the trail begins and Craig asked what would happen if we “drove over there”. Matt responded with a left-turn directly towards Craig’s inquisition…
What happened next can only be described by two photos:
Needless to say, the Jeep was doing fine until the ice broke.
Yes, the ice broke and we were stuck. We made a couple good attempts at getting unstuck, but we eventually had to call for back-up!
We exited the Jeep on the right side – the only site we could get out of – due to the amount of water waiting to swallow us on the left side.
We realized we were cold, and upset about the sweet Jeep being stuck in the mud, so I did what any pyro would do – I gathered as many dry weeds as I could and started a signal-fire!
I had to make sure our rescuers would find us when they arrived! :)
My “signal fire” produced enough enjoyment for me to pass the time and eventually Jason Knepp showed up to pull the Jeep with his own Jeep. Matt VanKirk showed up with his truck in time to realize that Jason’s Jeep wouldn’t do the trick. Matt ended up hooking up to Jason’s Jeep and together they were able to pull Matt’s Jeep out of the mud.
It was a night to remember.
Thankfully everyone is safe and talking about how they will take on the trail “next time”.
I still think my Neon could’ve made it!
How in the world do you get stuck with a Jeep????
It goes through water!
It goes through snow!
It goes through mud!
Wish I coulda been there with you man!
All I can say is, you’d make a great movie!!!
I AM STILL FREEZING COLD FROM LAST NIGHT! WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!
All I can say is “oh my!’
What a distraction from the “Bible Study”!!!?
Hi, this is Randy Polston. If Craig was in the jeep with you, why is he here today? Couldn’t you do a better job throwing him out of the jeep next time? :-)
Ok, Stev……I can’t remember what you said about ‘who’ suggested this alternate route, but……oh dear Lord, I am afraid to ask how deep the water was on the opposite side of the jeep that you exited the jeep on. Stev, one of these days!!!!! No!!! I am not going to fear. Fear is not of the Lord. But……wait!!!! Dear Lord, isn’t there an amount of fear that Stevan should have? I think when Stevan sees something that he thinks would bring on fear….Lord, he thinks he is supposed to accept that challenge, instead of running from it. What does that mean? Couple screws loose? Brain synapses a bit screwed up? Ok! Ok! I will trust You, dear Lord for my precious nephew Stev!!!! Please help me with my moments of anxiety over his welfare. And, yes, I agree that he could make a movie – it would be a big seller……but, Lord….he needs one of those risk management crews that uses stunt doubles. That’s it. I will suggest to him that he carries a risk management crew with him at all times, and could you please bring a volunteer stunt double his way? Please! In Jesus Name I ask it all. Amen