Dirt road traffic jams and parades. (Story)

Monek Marie

The adventures on a dirt road never end. You never know exactly what you will see and I have a feeling my family added to that unknown aspect.

One day my neighbor called and wanted to know where the greyhound bus went. My mom replied, "its sitting in our yard. Wayne will be welding on it later." Not long after that the other neighbor above us called and my dad answered. The neighbor asked, "what are you doing with that bus?" My father replied, "We are selling the house and using this to travel in." And then dad hung up. A few minutes later the neighbor called back and wanted to know if the house and land were for sale. "No, not at this time, replied my dad.

"Wayne, You can't say those remarks and not tell them its not true," said my mom. My dad just laughed. I'm not sure how long it took the neighbors to figure out we were not moving.

Next week an ambulance pulled in to the driveway and needed repaired. It joined the bus in the side yard. Moments later, the phone rings with neighbors asking questions.

The firemen who delivered the ambulance asked if dad could work on the fire truck too. My dad replied, "You better space it out, The neighbors might have a heart attack"

My dad being an expert mechanic and welder was in demand around here and you never knew what to expect sitting in the driveway or side yard.

And my brother, not to be outdone, worked on and drove race cars. So on Friday through Sunday, he would be working on his car tuning it up and fixing any racing damage. And the only place to test drive it was, you guessed it, the dirt road. I can still see and smell the dust clouds

Our traffic jams would happen when it was hay season and the hay wagon parade would take off. Five farms and 100's of acres to be cut and loaded. If one wagon had an issue or dumped a load we all helped get it cleaned up and moving. More than often though, it was our neighbors cows who would be walking down the middle of the road.

Monek Marie

Has anyone ever had a hay wagon tip on them?

We live in a very hilly area and its something you have to keep in mid. One rut that you don't see and it can be a serious issue

RustBeltCowgirl

We had the trailer tip on the way back from the field. I fortunately was already back at the barn helping stack bales in the loft.

RustBeltCowgirl

I had a situation that I had to call my boss and tell him that I didn't know when I would be able to make it back from lunch. I had half a house blocking my driveway.😋

JodieDownUnder

@Denise Grant For a large part of my life I lived on a dirt road, that at one stage was deemed one of the roughest, toughest roads in my state. Some of the things I have seen and experienced, well I could write a book. Broken axles, flat tyres, overturned trailers, car accidents, bogged motor cycles, trucks loaded with hay, burning to the ground. Picking up all sorts of items, tools, dogs, stranded people, stray cows and horses. That road taught me how to drive and handle a vehicle, for which I’m very grateful. Great memories!

Monek Marie

@jodienancarrow My dirt road also taught me how to handle a vehicle. Our winters were extreme back then and getting up our road and home was a challenge. I hit a rut once left by the plow truck and ripped my muffler half way off. I dragged it home because to stop meant I would get stuck and walk in sub zero weather.