SLIP SLIDING AWAY

Slip sliding away, slip sliding away

You know the nearer your destination, the more you slip sliding away

Paul Simon couldn't have written a better lyric than the one above to describe what we did Monday in Rockport, Ontario at Ed Huck's Marine. Just like in New Hampshire, I doubt anyone put any thought, when making the streets, that one day, in the future, a very large truck with a 53 foot trailer, would make its way on those said streets. Most people can not comprehend just how much room is needed to make a turn, and with snow banks and signs making the turn even harder, well, let's just say, it makes for a fun morning.

We followed the dealer's instructions, including to disregard the signs saying no trucks over 5 tons, and found what we believed to be the entrance to the business. With both of us looking down a steep hill, covered in ice, I made the decision to walk down, find someone, and make sure that was the entry they wanted us down. After my short hike, I find two employees who inform me that yes indeed, that is the one and only way to get into their property. I walk back and wave at Craig up high on the hill and motion for him, in my best Price is Right imitation to "Come on down". I hold my breath as he slowly backs up, and takes as wide of an approach as possible to make the turn. He moves forward, and then slowly down the hill, to where they will take the boat off the trailer.

.

I'll tell you right now, that was the easiest part of this little adventure. After they hoisted the boat off the trailer with the forklift, we had to try and figure out just how we were going to get out. Craig first tried backing up the hill, but could not get any traction. Then he did some snow plowing of his own, flattening out a few snow banks in the process, and got the truck and trailer turned around. Now it was time to take on the ice covered hill again. He backs up, gets a good running start, and almost makes it, but loses traction and needs to try again. This time, he backs up as far as he can get, takes a run at the hill again, makes it to the top, and the trailer gets high centered and wedged in the snow. Unable to get any traction on the icy road to back up, the forklift is dispatched into action.

First they poured a bag of snow salt under the tires of the truck, a chain is attached to the bumper of the trailer, and in tandem, Craig backs up as the forklift pulls the trailer and it comes free from the asphalt and snow. Backing up further, the trailer runs out of room, and has to be pulled by the forklift to straighten it out, and continue down the hill to make one more try. I stand at the top of the hill as Craig makes one more attempt. He goes as wide as he can on his approach, makes a sweeping turn, crests the hill, and drags the trailer safely across and onto the roadway. He did take out one snow bank in the process, but missed the signs, as we went about kicking as much snow as we could from the trailer. With a sign of relief, and yet another story to tell, off we went, no longer slipping or sliding, and with our sights set on getting to the border and our next adventure.