A totally bizarre day!

[DanG]

Last night, I went over and babysat the fire in the pottery kiln, and got home about 8am this morning.  I slept until about 2pm, and planned to go back and help finish out the burn.

About 2:30, Linda opened the door to let the cat in and said, "I hope that limb didn't hit the car."  I went straight out and found that the fallen branch had indeed broken the windshield.   "Well SHUCKS" I said.  The biggest deal was that I wouldn't be able to go back to the kiln, at that point.  In Florida, windshield replacements are fully covered, with no deductible, so it wasn't going to cost me anything but a small inconvenience.  I called the insurance company(Farm Bureau ), and got the ball rolling.  They told me if it wasn't fixed by 10am tomorrow, to call them back.  Now THAT is service!   That being settled, I got on the ForestryForum for a while, and fixed myself some lunch, then the TV started telling us that more storms were coming.  I decided I'd better go feed the dogs unless I wanted to do it in the rain, so I geared up to go out.  About that time, my Mom called to tell us of the warnings I already knew about, so I chatted with her for a few minutes and told her about our misfortune with the windshield.  By that time, the wind was picking up and it started to sprinkle, so I decided to take the car over to the shop and put a tarp over it in case the busted windshield leaked.  I paused to pick some broken glass from the driver's seat, when I heard a crack and a branch flew across the yard and hit the house.  When I saw that, I also saw that the two huge dead pines in the yard, about 50 feet from me, were swirling around violently and the tops were beginning to come apart.  Taking very little time to cogitate, as would usually be my custom, I began to run.  I'm proud to say, I can run just as fast now as I ever could. : :D  I got about 10 feet past the rear of the vehicle before I looked back and saw the entire tops of BOTH trees land squarely on top of the car!  With that brief glance, I saw a branch from another tree(this one had green pine straw on it) coming straight at me, so I ran some more, and that branch hit right where I had paused.  When the big chunks hit the car, a 2001 Grande Caravan, the car sank all the way to the ground before bouncing back up.  Both trees were at least 90 feet tall, and both of them broke off simultaneously at about 40 feet.  One of them was about 16" at that point, and the other about 14".  That is the first time I recall that I ever literally ran for my life, and would have lost my life if I hadn't!   There is a pile of large wood right where I was standing.  If I hadn't moved, and moved quickly, they would have been picking ol' DanG's body up with a shovel!

One of the humorous aspects of the moment was when Linda came out to investigate that first branch that hit the house.  She must have been right by the door, because she saw the treetops hit the car.  She screamed, "DANG" and I answered, "I'M OK".  She totally cracked up at that point, because she had no idea I was near the car.  She though I was over at the barn feeding the dogs, and was just using my "name" as a convenient expletive! :D :D :D

I had to call Farm Bureau back and cancel the glass guy and get the adjuster headed my way.  That conversation had its humorous moments as well.  He said I have the "Interesting call of the day" award. :D

[thecfarm]

Looks like you have a tree to saw up now.   :D     :D    :D  Glad to see all that got damaged was just the car,not you or the house.Pictures of the mess?

[fencerowphil (Phil L.)]

I saw an Indiana Jones movie with action like that.

If you had the video, you could be famous.

Glad you zigged and zagged at the right times, DanG.

[Jeff]

Dang, Dang. I'm sure glad to hear you came out of that unscathed.

[DanG]

I have pics of the aftermath, but no way to get them into the new computer.  The old one had a built-in card reader.  I'll pick up a reader next time I'm in town.

The insurance guy just called.  He'll be here about 11am.

[OneWithWood]

It pays to be quick on your feet!

Sorry to hear about the car, but very glad you and yours are safe and sound.

[Qweaver]

How's that song go?  If I didn't have bad luck, I'd have no luck at all. 
I wanted to leave trees standing around the cabin that we're building but after experiencing the winter winds here in the hills of WV, I decided to remove the trees on the windward side.  I'm now so glad I did. 
On a positive note, at least you don't have to worry about them falling anymore. :D
Quinton

[sprucebunny]

Glad you're OK

Hope you bought a lottery ticket yesterday  ;D 'cause it sounds like you was some lucky 

[DanG]

Didn't buy no lottery ticket...they don't deliver and I got no wheels.  Besides, I figger I used up my good luck for the month.  I feel like a cat that just lost his eighth life. :D

[Warbird]

Wow.  Glad you are okay, DanG.  Definitely interested in seeing the pics when you get them uploaded.

[sharp edge]

DanG
Are you trying to become the poster child for the tree huggers?----don't even cut dead trees. :

sparp E

[DanG]

 :D :D  Nawww, I been thinking about being the poster child for Procrastinators Anonymous, but I never got around to joining.

I'm busted, redhanded on this one, too.  At least a dozen Forumites have seen those two trees since they died.  Ain't no way in the world I can wiggle out of this one. :-[  I've gotten a good grip on the mower seat every time I've mowed around that area for quite a while now. :D :D :D

[Mooseherder]

I could see why those trees weren't cut because they was way out of my league.
I'da have to work my way up to cutting those beasts. :D
Cutting not so much the problem as the Where dey was gonna fall in between. ;D
Glad your okay DanG.  Hope the Farm Bureau does the right thing for ya.

[Warbird]

Hey DanG...  if'n ya need someplace to dump that firewood, c'mon up.  You can put as much of it on my property as you like.  We'll even feed ya dinner!  ;D

[Mooseherder]

Hey DanG...  if'n ya need someplace to dump that firewood, c'mon up.  You can put as much of it on my property as you like.  We'll even feed ya dinner!  ;D

DanG's dodge rim will burn it. ;D

[Tom]

They might not let you burn Southern Yellow Pine in Alaska. It might melt the permafrost... and everything else in sight.  That stuff is hot!  It doesn't burn slow and easy.  :D

[Kevin]

There is a pile of large wood right where I was standing.

Don't try stepping there it might not be wood.  :D

Glad to hear you came out of it unscathed thanks to the DanG two step... 8)

[brdmkr]

DanG, I suppose that would have to rate as a bizarre day.  I'm glad ya'll weren't hurt.  Do you need any help with cleanup?

[Gary_C]

Glad to hear that you can run fast enough to escape. And you could also tell that insurance man he can't run fast enough to get away from you.  :D

[DanG]

 :D :D  Thanks guys!  It rained most of today, but I was able to get out there and clear a path so we can get in and out without having to climb.  If any of you still don't have a tractor with a loader on it, you need to get crackin'! ;D

The insurance adjuster seem's like a nice enough young fella, and said he will have an offer for me tomorrow morning.  Since he used the term "offer", I feel free to negotiate, and I think that was his intent.  According to the guidelines on the Kellybluebook site, I think the car was in borderline excellent condition.  There were very few flaws for a seven year old car, so I will be pushing for a good settlement.  It probably won't hurt that my Son is an insurance lawyer. ;) :D  I also found out that I have rental car benefits on my policy, which I didn't know, so I'll be picking up some economical wheels tomorrow.  That mean's I can still go visit with Tom this weekend! 8) 8) 8)

[WDH]

DanG,

It is good that you can move your car-cass so rapidly .

[DanG]

My carc-ass is quite portable, thanks. ;D :D

[little Bark]

That rental car is worth it.  We had ours over a month until we got our check.  The only catch is that they want the rental car back the day they cut the check.  A call the the agent cleared that little issue up though.

[DanG]

I may not even need the rental.  I'm picking up the check this afternoon, and have spotted a potential replacement vehicle.  If it pans out, I might be back on the road in my own car tonight.

[little Bark]

That is great!!  I had a simular event happen to my van 4 years ago but mine involved a fire instead of a tree.

Did file the claim w/ home owners or was it your car insurance.   

With service like that I may have to look for a new insurance co.

[isawlogs]

DanG ,
   I am happy it is pulling together for ya . You sure had me worried for a bit there  Thats way to close for comfort , Glad you made those long legs stretch out and get a movin when you did . 

[scsmith42]

Dan, I am really glad to hear that everybody is ok - man what a scare!

That reminds me,  I've got a couple of standing dead pines to remove.  One of them is right next to one of the Doc's horse trailers, too....

[DanG]

Thanks again for all the well-wishes guys.   I seem to have stepped in a pile of doody and came out smelling like a rose.  As I said before, I picked up the check less than 48 hours after the incident.  I had to negotiate a little bit, but ended up within $200 of my target payoff.  I figured the value at $6500, based on Kelly, and wanted to see a check for $5500 after the $1k deductible.  I got $5285, after an initial offer of $4500.  I had already spotted my next car on Craigslist for $4200.  It is one year older, but has 30,000 less miles on it and is in better shape overall.  It has new brakes all around, new spark plugs(a big deal on those crossways v6's) and the tranny has just been serviced.  I struck the deal on it this evening and will pick it up tomorrow.

Scott, I hated hearing about your barn.  Hope you get it rebuilt, bigger and better, real soon.  Ya might want to move that horse trailer well away from the pines.  The trees that really crunched my car were dead, but there were lots of branches with green straw on them, too.  I'm giving serious thought to clearcutting my yard.  The mill can use the wood, anyway. ;D

[Radar67]

DanG, glad things worked out for the good and you are alright.

I've been cringing every time a wind comes up here...I have two dead pines out back that really need to come down. One will be a bugger, but possible, the other is a bucket truck special....

[woodbowl]

DanG, I've been meaning to ask you, can I borrow some money?  :

[DanG]

Sure, Olen.  That shouldn't be a problem.  Just call our new Instant Credit Hotline at  1-900-510-2668, and enjoy our new 35 step call screening platform.  Please listen to each step in its entirity and respond according to your needs, as your personal information is essential if we are to service you thoroughly. ;D

[DanG]

I picked up a card reader for the new computer today, so I can finally post some pics of the carnage.


Here's a shot of the whole scene.  The tree to the right was one of the dead ones.  The other is out of the pic to the right.





Part of the car is obscured by the little Magnolia tree, which also took a beating.  The two big chunks in front of the car apparently did the biggest damage, then rolled down the front of the car.





Damage to roof, door, and windshield.





Damage to fender and hood.

[Roxie]

   So you were next to the car when the trees started to come down.  Wow.  Peers to me that you did have a nice sprint outta there.  DanG glad you weren't hurt.

[John_Haylow]

Sorry about your vehicle DanG. I'm glad no one was injured.
John