theoldwolf (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
theoldwolf) wrote2010-09-07 07:12 am
theoldwolf) wrote2010-09-07 07:12 am
Entry tags:
Low Bridge
I thought for sure I had journaled about our escapade in Davenport, Iowa. On the way up from Harrisonburg we traveled through Moline, Kansas oops, Moline, Illinois - thanks, Di! - and into Davenport, headed for the Super 8 Motel up by I-80 (a great value, by the way). Following Google Maps, we turned north off of East River Drive onto Brady Street, thinking we'd just toddle up all the way to 65th street.
Fortunately for us, ToniAnne was watching closely, because we found ourselves in front of this, in a truck with 12'6" clearance:
And it was a one-way street, with no way to turn. I had seen it as well, but I have to admit it didn't register as fast as it should have - it was dark, and driving a rental truck I'm not used to worrying about low clearances, even in spite of the flashing lights. I hate to think what might have happened if I hadn't had the good wife along, or if I hadn't been paying attention at all.
In fact, this could have happened:
Yikes! When I first saw that video, sent to me by my good friend DryGrub Willie, I thought for sure that this was our bridge... if you look at the still photo, you can see many scars on that bridge where people had had similar experiences...
As it was, we had no way forward and no way back. As it was late at night, I thought I might be able to back out onto 4th street, but DancingWolf suggested I call the local police for help, and for once I swallowed my testosterone-laced pride and agreed with her, after some initial snarling and snapping. A very friendly Davenport officer came smiling up, stopped traffic so we could back out, and guided us around the barricade until we were happily on our way. I took the time to send a note of appreciation to the Davenport Police Department on their website - disaster was averted, and we were grateful for the anonymous "Officer Friendly" who assisted us out of what could have been a very tight situation!
Fortunately for us, ToniAnne was watching closely, because we found ourselves in front of this, in a truck with 12'6" clearance:
And it was a one-way street, with no way to turn. I had seen it as well, but I have to admit it didn't register as fast as it should have - it was dark, and driving a rental truck I'm not used to worrying about low clearances, even in spite of the flashing lights. I hate to think what might have happened if I hadn't had the good wife along, or if I hadn't been paying attention at all.
In fact, this could have happened:
Yikes! When I first saw that video, sent to me by my good friend DryGrub Willie, I thought for sure that this was our bridge... if you look at the still photo, you can see many scars on that bridge where people had had similar experiences...
As it was, we had no way forward and no way back. As it was late at night, I thought I might be able to back out onto 4th street, but DancingWolf suggested I call the local police for help, and for once I swallowed my testosterone-laced pride and agreed with her, after some initial snarling and snapping. A very friendly Davenport officer came smiling up, stopped traffic so we could back out, and guided us around the barricade until we were happily on our way. I took the time to send a note of appreciation to the Davenport Police Department on their website - disaster was averted, and we were grateful for the anonymous "Officer Friendly" who assisted us out of what could have been a very tight situation!
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OK, I come for a country where most people (I think) honor a red traffic light at midnight with no other cars to see for miles. ;-)
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for
the camera never sleepeth not, and the ticket cometh as surely....
When the operator gets listed as "Pump19" you know how they do it.