It was a slow day in the store. Annie and I chipped away at inventory and preparations for the coming holiday season; a quick meeting with an ad rep for the local paper, taking inventory of holiday bags, ordering cheese and greeting customers while Annie reduced an enormous bag of salts ands spice blends to manageable tins stocked for sale.
We turned the key as the last light was leaving the sky and the streetlights were beginning to glow. Annie left the parking area first, there was no need to warm up our cars as the balmy winds, remnants of Hurricane Patricia, had driven the temps in to the high 60s. I missed the light at the four-corners, but saw Annie’s car make the turn ahead of me. As I turned off the main road, I adjusted my speed and focused. This time of year, particularly if it is this warm, deer, moose and sundry creatures are often moving at dusk and they don’t have a GPS to let them know where automobiles might be streaking by. If I’m lucky, my headlights illuminate their eyes in the distance and I have a fair warning to slow and pass safely. The old Deer-in-the-Headlights scenario is very real.
I came over a slight rise and saw the car headed toward me wildly flashing his lights. My own headlights illuminated a massive tree that had decided to give up its life and fall directly across the road ahead. There was no going around it. From my direction, drivers coming behind me had a clear view that there was a problem of some sort though the clouds were obstructing any moonlight and we were far from streetlights. From the oncoming direction there was a tight curve and no way to warn those approaching. Another car stopped as I steered to the edge of the road and leapt out. Soon there were three vehicles parked on the dangerous curve.
I sprinted to the first vehicle, a pick-up, and found the driver already climbing into the bed of his truck searching for chains. The second driver sat stunned but I managed to send him in search of a flashlight to warn drivers coming to the curve. When he proved too slow, I ran to the next truck and instructed him to drive around the corner and stop traffic.
Back at the tree, a fellow had joined the first driver. He said he had a chain saw in his truck but the first man had already wrapped a cable around the trunk of the tree and was preparing to drag it with his truck. Instead, the three of us picked up an end and dragged it to the edge of the pavement.
It was all over in an instant, just as life can be…
Therapeutic Misadventures 
You are so right. Life can be over in a minute. Thanks for sharing this story.
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Your phrasing and word choice are perfect to portray the feeling and danger of this.
One observation, everyone stepped into action – no standing around waiting for someone else to do it. Self reliance out of necessity and concern for others. More typical in less populated areas. Quiet nod and cheers for all involved. Whew.
(The tree picture is pretty impressive – beauty in the oddest places.)
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Thanks Phil. I think people are basically good in a tense situation. Funny, no one said a thing after it was all over, we just nodded and went on our way…
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Really typical, isn’t it? Cool. And you’ve found your place.
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Great job clearing a dangerous situation. Kudos to all. You are so right – it only takes an instant.
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So many obstacles on the road to life right now!
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I am so glad the timing was as it was! Thank you for calling me to check on me that evening! That was pretty unnerving when I heard the story and then saw the tree the next day in my way to work! Thank you to the angels watching over us that evening!
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Timing is everything!
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Part of the joy of living in the 4.8 million acre forest called New Hampshire.
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And it is a joy indeed, most of the time!!
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“..instead the three of us picked it up…” – you make it sound like an easy task, but I imagine a bit of adrenaline helped!
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Lots of adrenaline Susan! It was just one of those moments when you kick into action without thinking.
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Quick thinking, Martha, and so heartwarming that everyone just went to work to solve the problem and protect others. ~Terri
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Never a dull moment here in the great North, Terri!!
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That sounds scary, especially with no street lights. There was me thinking driving on city roads at night was bad.
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The lack of street lights make it tough on a dark night with no moon but also provide lovely star-gazing Marie. I find the older I get the less I like driving after dark.
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Talk about grace under pressure. If I’m ever in trouble, I want you to handle things! Life is an odd place to live, eh?
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Never a dull moment, badfish! I have learned to step up and take control when necessary.
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