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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
...one can only hope that those rodents get shocked and fried!
