Neighbors

Yesterday morning Richard came by to plow my driveway... and about four hours later the snow started falling again!  The official accumulation was probably just a couple inches.  However, along Kauffman Blvd., with Huron just a few hundred feet to the east, lake effect increased the accumulation to about five inches.  So, this morning Richard came back to plowed me out again!

In addition to the driveway, Richard plows the roadside to the north of my drive.  That way, when the county plow does the road, it doesn't fill in my driveway entrance.  It was that small courtesy which got him into trouble.

Richard, stuck across from my driveway entrance.

Repeated thawing and freezing has turned Kauffman into a skating rink.  As he was turning around to take another swipe along the front of my property, Richard found the ice and side-slipped into the ditch across the street.  His plow blade is heavy enough that Richard couldn't get sufficient traction with his rear wheels.  In short, he was stuck.

That's what neighbors are for!  Richard called Dennis, who lives at the south end of Kauffman.  Dennis and Billy appeared a few minutes later and hauled Richard out of the ditch.  It just shows how easy a job can be when you have the right tools — in this case, another four-wheel drive vehicle!

Dennis and Billy hook up the chain...

...Dennis and Richard hit the gas simultaneously...

...and Richard is finally free!

Whatever its problems (and there are many), Presque Isle boasts some very kind, helpful people.  That's one of the reasons I like this part of Michigan.  For example, on Sundays when I've had to leave early to lead the service at Long Rapids, Richard has showed up by 7:00 a.m. to plow me out.  That's more than most plowmen would do! •••