Good intentions by the property owner

Although I'm not the sharpest knife in the "drawer of life" I have been to a couple of rodeos and a county fair or two.?ÿ I think I'm pretty good at getting around in the field.?ÿ Being most of my work is rural I adhere to strict "country" protocol when it comes to trespass, fences, gates, livestock, crops...and reading dogs correctly and quickly at a glance.?ÿ Another?ÿtalent I've also picked up over the years is making a good guess where a sanitary lateral field is located when operating a vehicle on the property of others..for obvious reasons.

However today it didn't take a rocket surgeon to spot the lateral field; it was fairly new and the house was still under construction.?ÿ The backfill didn't look a week old.?ÿ And seeing as how we had a good shower about 3 AM this morning I'm pretty sure the ground was pretty soft over the lines.?ÿ

I had actually entered the property?ÿto the north ( I know the property owner)?ÿto set up my base.?ÿ?ÿ I guess a hunnert yards away from the house it looked like I might be close to the new lateral field although I was a good 100 feet north of it.?ÿ As soon as my tripod hit the dirt I see this fella get in his pickup and head my way.?ÿ He actually missed the laterals on his way over (luck) to chat.?ÿ He admonished me to not drive around the lateral field.?ÿ I assured him I was so intent on being careful I was actually on his neighbor's property for that very reason.?ÿ I pointed out the freshly backfilled lines were still plainly visible.?ÿ After a few other pleasantries he climbed back in his truck, dropped in in reverse and headed backwards a bit too far...he dropped his rear wheels (both of them) into the soft ditch.?ÿ Like a fly on fly-paper he was stuck as soon as he landed.

In short order I had?ÿthe tow-strap cinched to my trailer hitch and popped him out of the mess.?ÿ?ÿHe seemed a?ÿlittle embarrassed?ÿas he thanked me.?ÿ When he started to pull away I told him, "Watch out for the lateral lines!"?ÿ

I think he wanted to flip me the finger, but he didn't.?ÿ He was a nice man. ??ÿ

?ÿ