dsc01548.jpg
(1734 KB)
Matt and Tony returning from a reconnaissance mission with some mud on their shoes and high hopes.
dsc01549.jpg
(1858 KB)
No your eyes are not playing tricks on you. That is running water and it is running right over the road! Are you beginning to see where this is going?
dsc01550.jpg
(1770 KB)
Tony hops the creek to safety on the east end.
dsc01551.jpg
(1664 KB)
Dusty the Taurus waits patiently.
dsc01552.jpg
(1776 KB)
Matt straps on his driving gloves.
dsc01553.jpg
(1791 KB)
The trick here is having enough speed to avoid sinking into the mud but not so much speed that inetia takes the place of traction in guiding your path.
dsc01554.jpg
(1838 KB)
The moment of truth! We made it through the softest spot but so far it has all been down hill.
Not pictured #&%@!*[^@%#.
About 25 feet after Matt cleared the stream the residual momentum gave into the mud and Dusty began to slow. You could hear the tires break free as Matt carefully reduced power trying to maximize driving force without digging ruts. As the car slowed even the crest of the road proved an insurmountable hill in such slick conditions. Carfully Matt nursed Dusty along but after about ten more feet it was clear we would need a better plan of action.
Slowly Matt put the car in reverse and backed up about five feet. In drive he was able to make it about another 15 feet forward but it would not be enough. Continuing along this course would just dig ruts that were deeper, eroding the precious space between the bottom of the car and the mud.
With some brute force and expert maneuvering we were able to get the car back to the center of the road where the traction was good. This was the only time on the whole trip where being taller may have been an asset to me. As we push the car the sideways force, toward the center of the road, proved to be far more important than forward force. This was fine while we were close enough to the edge of the road to benefit from the traction provided by a bank sloping toward the road with grass on it. As the car moved forward and to the center of the road we had to move away from that bank and the traction on the road was minimal at best. I stretched out so that I could exert more force and of course right about the time the car was catching on dry ground I met my limit of length and took a dive into the mud.
Slowly Matt put the car in reverse and backed up about five feet. In drive he was able to make it about another 15 feet forward but it would not be enough. Continuing along this course would just dig ruts that were deeper, eroding the precious space between the bottom of the car and the mud.
With some brute force and expert maneuvering we were able to get the car back to the center of the road where the traction was good. This was the only time on the whole trip where being taller may have been an asset to me. As we push the car the sideways force, toward the center of the road, proved to be far more important than forward force. This was fine while we were close enough to the edge of the road to benefit from the traction provided by a bank sloping toward the road with grass on it. As the car moved forward and to the center of the road we had to move away from that bank and the traction on the road was minimal at best. I stretched out so that I could exert more force and of course right about the time the car was catching on dry ground I met my limit of length and took a dive into the mud.
dsc01555.jpg
(1812 KB)
Three glider pilots standing on top of the world after only a minor detour on a long trip.