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Grayton Beach Good Samaritans!

Jdarg avatar
SoWal Expert
4,322 views
We had a trying afternoon yesterday, but as many of you know, the locals here are amazing. I would not want to live anywhere else!

We headed out onto Grayton Beach, as did most of SoWal, yesterday afternoon. The old beach truckster was humming right along, then decided to quit. After we were out in the sand. It refused to start- and oh how I wish we were merely stuck in the sand. :cry: Everyone who knows me knows that I lived in fear of getting stuck in the sand. Well- I learned a lesson- if you get stuck in the sand, at least your engine still runs and you will ultimately get dug or pulled out! If your engine quits, you are screwed.

I called AAA, why I don't know, but I did. Of course they do not have a 4 wheel drive tow truck. Bdarg called the sheriffs to let them know that the Rover might spend the night on the beach.

Then, along came the charter boat guy that drives the big brownish Dodge truck (Gary? Perry? sorry I was stressed and names went out the window!). Anyway, his truck is gi-normous, so we thought we were saved. God love him- he tried and tried, but that damn Rover weighs a couple tons, so there was no pulling it out. Thank you, giant truck man, we owe you lots of beer at the Red Bar for trying.:wave:

Skunky and Punz picked us up, took us home, and we tried to regroup. A call
to Jimmy's Paint and Auto Body confirmed our fears- even a 4 wheel drive tow truck won't come out on the beach. We started planning on talking to the heavy equipment operators parked at Grayton, and having their giant dumptruck or backhoe haul us off the next morning. Then the phone rang- it was Beachmom, relaying a message from the beach!

Sam Wesley, who rents beach chairs and umbrellas in Grayton, had appeared on the scene. We had been told by several people that Sam could get anybody off the beach, but we were a bit dejected at this point, especially after JohnR suggested that a helicopter might be needed.:bang: Anyway, Bdarg roared back down, and met up with Sam, who hooked up to the back of the Rover, had Bdarg "drive" to help steer, and pulled him right off the beach- Blaine said they were literally flying-backwards! Sam got them to the access, and AAA picked it up and brought it home later in the evening. SAM WESLEY IS OUR HERO! And if you see him this week, tell him that he rocks!

Thanks also to everyone on the beach that wished us luck, and especially Carmen, who came down to hang out, and ended up keeping me from completely losing my sheet. So much for your relaxing afternoon.:wub:

The evening finished with Skunky and Punz feeding us dinner - we were wiped out. Skunky grilled some great steaks on his new Big Green Egg...but that's another thread.

Edited

Replies

36
TooFarTampa avatar
SoWal Insider
#2
I can't decide whether to play you a well-deserved-and-not-at-all-sarcastic violin :violin: for your horror story or do some cheers for the Good Samaritans! How about both?

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Seriously, that's a really nice story, even though it was a PITA. Hope the truck comes out OK. :wave:
Jdarg avatar
SoWal ExpertAuthor
#4
Captain Kerry - Not a Dog Charters.

Hey! You got a free dinner out of the deal.

THANKS!!! He's a sweetheart!

Anybody have a good pic/ad for Sam Wesley too?

Edited

Miss Kitty avatar
Meow
#5
Simply awesome story! :clap:
DD avatar
SoWal Expert
#6
:clap:I love a good ending!!:clap:
scooterbug44 avatar
SoWal Expert
#7
So glad you got out!

I think you cashed in your karma points for rescuing me earlier in the year! That was a Sunday too. :blush:

How wonderful to live in a place where so many nice people are on hand to help out! :wub:
Walton Outdoors avatar
Beach Fanatic
#8
Capt. Sam Wesley

THANKS!!! He's a sweetheart!

Anybody have a good pic/ad for Sam Wesley too?

Go Fishing with the Pros!
Capt. Sam Wesley
Sam Wesley has been fishing with his brother and father since a young boy. Sam, his brother Jody and father Gene, are lifelong residents of Walton County. Sam has had a charter since 2000.
The boat: The Relentless - 17’ Cape Horn
Capacity: 3 adults
Contact: 850-231-2043 or 850-685-1086

http://www.waltonoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/samwesley.jpg

Edited

Minnie avatar
Beach Fanatic
#9
Sounds like a couple of really nice guys helping out, glad the outcome was a good one.
Beachbummette avatar
SoWal Insider
#10
Stories like this is part of what makes me love SoWal so very much. Glad y'all got the beachfunn truck out. Can it be fixed?

BTW, I thought that green egg was for Punzey? :scratch:
Bobby J avatar
Beach Fanatic
#11
Sam has been pulling folks out of Grayton a long time! He is a great guy and an incredible fisherman! He is also a great surfer! He was the first person to ever take me surfing. This was almost 25 years ago!
KISH7374 avatar
Beach Fanatic
#12
Isn,t it amazing that good Samaritans pop up when and where you least expect them. Glad the story had a happy ending and hope your vehicle can be fixed for a very minimal cost.
ItzKatzTime avatar
Beach Fanatic
#13
We had a trying afternoon yesterday, but as many of you know, the locals here are amazing. I would not want to live anywhere else!

We headed out onto Grayton Beach, as did most of SoWal, yesterday afternoon. The old beach truckster was humming right along, then decided to quit. After we were out in the sand. It refused to start- and oh how I wish we were merely stuck in the sand. :cry: Everyone who knows me knows that I lived in fear of getting stuck in the sand. Well- I learned a lesson- if you get stuck in the sand, at least your engine still runs and you will ultimately get dug or pulled out! If your engine quits, you are screwed.

I called AAA, why I don't know, but I did. Of course they do not have a 4 wheel drive tow truck. Bdarg called the sheriffs to let them know that the Rover might spend the night on the beach.

Then, along came the charter boat guy that drives the big brownish Dodge truck (Gary? Perry? sorry I was stressed and names went out the window!). Anyway, his truck is gi-normous, so we thought we were saved. God love him- he tried and tried, but that damn Rover weighs a couple tons, so there was no pulling it out. Thank you, giant truck man, we owe you lots of beer at the Red Bar for trying.:wave:

Skunky and Punz picked us up, took us home, and we tried to regroup. A call
to Jimmy's Paint and Auto Body confirmed our fears- even a 4 wheel drive tow truck won't come out on the beach. We started planning on talking to the heavy equipment operators parked at Grayton, and having their giant dumptruck or backhoe haul us off the next morning. Then the phone rang- it was Beachmom, relaying a message from the beach!

Sam Wesley, who rents beach chairs and umbrellas in Grayton, had appeared on the scene. We had been told by several people that Sam could get anybody off the beach, but we were a bit dejected at this point, especially after JohnR suggested that a helicopter might be needed.:bang: Anyway, Bdarg roared back down, and met up with Sam, who hooked up to the back of the Rover, had Bdarg "drive" to help steer, and pulled him right off the beach- Blaine said they were literally flying-backwards! Sam got them to the access, and AAA picked it up and brought it home later in the evening. SAM WESLEY IS OUR HERO! And if you see him this week, tell him that he rocks!

Thanks also to everyone on the beach that wished us luck, and especially Carmen, who came down to hang out, and ended up keeping me from completely losing my sheet. So much for your relaxing afternoon.:wub:

The evening finished with Skunky and Punz feeding us dinner - we were wiped out. Skunky grilled some great steaks on his new Big Green Egg...but that's another thread.


Heard this whole story last night.....just don't ever let someone tie onto your front bumper!!!!!;-):shock:

Good for Sam!!!!:clap::clap::clap: Usually the people that get pulled out pay $100.00-150.00 to have the boys down there pull them out.....instead of waiting hours for a tow truck that will charge you $300.00 and up. Sam is such a great guy!!!! Karma is the best payback and the great feeling of helping someone!

Edited

AAbsolute avatar
Banned
#14
Lotsa great spirit in that story. Thanks
beachyteachy avatar
Beach Fanatic
#15
Sam's good people!!!
Hop avatar
Beach Fanatic
#16
Gotta love SoWal!
Jdarg avatar
SoWal ExpertAuthor
#17
Heard this whole story last night.....just don't ever let someone tie onto your front bumper!!!!!;-):shock:

Good for Sam!!!!:clap::clap::clap: Usually the people that get pulled out pay $100.00-150.00 to have the boys down there pull them out.....instead of waiting hours for a tow truck that will charge you $300.00 and up. Sam is such a great guy!!!! Karma is the best payback and the great feeling of helping someone!

FYI- there isn't a 4 wheel drive tow truck on the Panhandle that will come out on the beach- we called them! The sheriff's department didn't have a clue how to get us out of there, or the park rangers. As I said, if you are stuck, you are lucky. If your engine quits, you are in big trouble!

Saw Sam in the Bay carpool line yesterday- he is just too nice. Wouldn't let us pay him, just asked Bdarg to help get him out one day...but I think I need to make a delivery of goodies of some sort.....
Teresa avatar
SoWal Guide
#18
wow dargs! so glad the day was saved. now that you've experienced an all out stuck in the sand/break down on the beach, you should be totally over your beach driving/sand stuck fears (or are you more paranoid than ever?:lol:). while truck problems on the beach are a complete pain in the neck, people are always there to help. we've witnessed and experienced this more times than I can remember (helping and being helped).

ya'll are now official local experts on beach driving and/or rescuing!:clap: next time we're in trouble out there we're calling you. (though our problem is usually a dead battery for some reason - pretty easy to deal with).
aggieb avatar
Beach Fanatic
#19
oh, the lovely benefits of owning a rover. i think i'll have seperation anxiety the day i have to do something with mine, bc i really do love my car. so, what is your next move? i'm interested in knowing that. keep it, trade it, upgrade? i think once you go rover it's hard to switch to anything else, even knowing what trials and tribulations they will bring. weird, yes, i know, but it's just something about owning a rover.

and big kudos to you sam wesley! what a cool guy!:clap:
Jdarg avatar
SoWal ExpertAuthor
#20
oh, the lovely benefits of owning a rover. i think i'll have seperation anxiety the day i have to do something with mine, bc i really do love my car. so, what is your next move? i'm interested in knowing that. keep it, trade it, upgrade? i think once you go rover it's hard to switch to anything else, even knowing what trials and tribulations they will bring. weird, yes, i know, but it's just something about owning a rover.

and big kudos to you sam wesley! what a cool guy!:clap:


Fix it. It is an ancient POS, but Bdarg can do most of the repairs, and it works fine as a beach car. When it dies for real, I will give it to you- I don't have car loyalty. As long as it runs and doesn't give me problems, I could care less what it is!:lol:

As I said- everyone give Sam a round of applause when you see him!

I would rather have a beach pickup truck, and if I was getting a brand new car, it would be something that is easily serviced around here! I hear about to many people wasting time driving to far away service appointments! I would go insane.
florida girl avatar
Beach Fanatic
#21
Reminds me of the old days! Shovel, boards, and a heavy chain have always been standard equipment here! Used to, anyone that pulled off the pavement would get stuck, you could always tell who were the tourists! Beach buggies were awesome!
CampCreekLou avatar
Beach Lover
#22
Fix it. It is an ancient POS, but Bdarg can do most of the repairs, and it works fine as a beach car. When it dies for real, I will give it to you- I don't have car loyalty. As long as it runs and doesn't give me problems, I could care less what it is!:lol:

As I said- everyone give Sam a round of applause when you see him!

I would rather have a beach pickup truck, and if I was getting a brand new car, it would be something that is easily serviced around here! I hear about to many people wasting time driving to far away service appointments! I would go insane.

Jealous every time I see a Rover on the beach. Mine is 1300 miles from the beach, and the dream is that if only the head gaskets can hold out, it will enjoy a sunset on Grayton Beach before it .......
ItzKatzTime avatar
Beach Fanatic
#23
FYI- there isn't a 4 wheel drive tow truck on the Panhandle that will come out on the beach- we called them! The sheriff's department didn't have a clue how to get us out of there, or the park rangers. As I said, if you are stuck, you are lucky. If your engine quits, you are in big trouble!

Saw Sam in the Bay carpool line yesterday- he is just too nice. Wouldn't let us pay him, just asked Bdarg to help get him out one day...but I think I need to make a delivery of goodies of some sort.....

You are sooo right jdarg. There isn't a 4 wheel drive tow truck that will come on the beach....the tow trucks will only come to the sandy road (if it's packed down enough) by The Wash-A-Way. Then they use a long chain if your close enough. That's another reason it's worth gold to get someone to get you out!!! And, it is usually the tourists that pay. And, then they have to run 'em down and stick it in their pockets. I bet the road by the Wash-A-WAY is really deep in sand now that they've had all those trucks and backhoe vehicles working over there. Probably couldn't get a tow truck to go past Hotz Ave.:eek:

Sam is a good guy always helping someone! I know he would enjoy goodies, especially lil' Sam. Next time you see Sam, when he's alone, ask him the story of how he and lil' Sam find a Christmas Tree each year! It is so touching!!! :clap:

Glad to hear all is well for you after that ordeal!!!
30A Skunkape avatar
Skunky
#24
Let the record note that Jenny was cool and collected the entire time. :wave:

You like your steak rare, right;-)
UofL avatar
Beach Fanatic
#26
Do the Wesleys still own GBD East and West? We stayed there a couple of years in a row and would like to head back sometime. Great spot. When we were there, Sam and family were moving into a new house near one of the Tom Thumbs. Thanks, Ellen

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