Thursday, October 01, 2009

Detours

All the best laid plans go awry. This week has not exactly gone the way that I'd expected. My problem is that even when forced onto a detour I rarely take the time to look around at the new scenery. I. Don't. Have. Time.

Case in point, there was a nasty accident on the bridge over our creek on Tuesday. Semi crashed through the guardrail and ended up cab first in the creek below. Zilla sent me a picture of it. It did not look good! Fortunately, we knew right away that no one was seriously injured. The driver was damn lucky though. I honestly think if it had been my SUV to barrel through that rail and land nose first in the water that we'd have been SOL.

The problem is that the bridge has been out ever since. This is the way I get to work in the morning and return home at night. My commute is already 45 minutes and the detour has just added another 20 because there is no good way around the bridge closure. I don't have time for this! I'm up to my eyeballs in alligators lately and I really need that 20 minutes either to work or to spend with my family.

However, I've gotten a chance to see parts of the area where I live that I haven't ever seen. We've lived out here for 9 years now and I've just never bothered to drive some of these quiet country roads. I'm not sure why not. When Zilla and I were dating it was one of our favorite things - to jump in the car on a Sunday afternoon and just drive. But I suppose we were too far into life when we arrived here...new house, new jobs, new baby on the way. Now our Sundays usually consist of collapsing on the couch and wishing Monday wouldn't come.

The estimate is that the bridge might reopen late tomorrow. I'm not holding my breath. Baby Girl and I went to look at it yesterday and there is a gaping hole in the center of the guardrail. I've worried about the drop off the edge before this happened. I'll be honest and say the rail had been bent and beat-up long before this. I'd really like to know that the bridge is sound before I get back on it with my kids. While the detour is a pain in my rear, I'll deal while they make it safe.

Do you ever take the detours in life? Do they bug the hell out of you or do you find they offer a chance to see something new?

Instigator

10 comments:

Problem Child said...

I have no sense of direction, so detours are not a good idea for Kimberly. It's a very good way for me to get lost.

Now, that's the literal response; if we want to get metaphorical...

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

As the official Playground navigator, detours don’t bother me. We’ll get where we’re going. I have faith in my maps and my iPhone GPS. The important part is that I know where I am in reference to where I’m supposed to be. Yes, the Loch is on the wrong side, but we’re on the right road, so one slight correction and we’re back on track. The problem starts when there’s no Loch at all. Then you’re in trouble.

Don’t, however, expect me to enjoy the detour. I’m not good with that. I’m a destination, not a journey, kind of person. I want to get to Disney World. I could care less about the National Toilet Museum we pass on the way... I’m not stopping. This causes me much heartache as DB is a journey kind of guy.

Problem Child said...

Hey I knew the loch was on the wrong side for a long time, but *some* people kept arguing with me about it...

I'm not a journey girl either -- I'm all about the destination. (Although if there had actually been a toilet museum between here and Disney I think the kids in the backseat would have absolutely died...)

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

I blame Google Maps. It said to turn right onto A85. There's just no way to define "right" on a roundabout. Everything is to the right.

Problem Child said...

I think we've found our problem: everything is to the LEFT on a British roundabout...

Kira Sinclair - AKA Instigator said...

I'm amazed that you remember which road it was! I can't remember the name of the road I took to get to work this morning.

Instigator

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

Ah, you're right. I mean left. I mean... wait...

gigi said...

You guys are a hoot. ;)

I have had to do the bridge detour a few years ago. they replaced the whole thing and the detour was for a couple of months.

Detours make me appreciate when things are going right in life.

Angel said...

As a planner, I'm not a detour kind of girl. I don't act off the cuff or spontaneously, much to my children's sadness. I can enjoy the journey, but only if it goes according to plan. That's why it takes forever for me to make a decision... :(

Angel

Playground Monitor said...

Sorry I'm late popping in. I'm nursing a killer headache and all I want to do is pull the blanket over my head and sleep.

I'm reminded of the "Barbie Museum" in the movie Rat Race. Anyone see that?