This Way To My Blog

This Way To My Blog

Monday, December 7, 2009

Fences Are Not For Driving On


Someone drove through the fence at the ranch. Thank goodness this one had insurance. The ranch is on a farm to market road running from John's hometown to the next town west. When I first met John you could travel between these two towns and maybe only meet two cars. Now there is constant traffic all hours of the day and night. Some of them end up on John's fence. This last one claimed he dodged a varmit and lost control. He wasn't sure what it was but thought it was a wild hog. Could have been, could have fell asleep, could have had too much to drink. The fence must be repaired immediately. If the cattle get out its a big danger to motorist and to the animals. Once I remember a large truck pulling a mobile home drove into the bar ditch and into the fence and the mobile home turned over. Think that one claimed to have jackknifed. Another time a brand new truck hauling illegals being chased by the Border Patrol drove into the fence and the illegals bailed out and ran into the brush. The guys were caught but the driver (called a coyote) got away. Then the new truck was reported stolen. Probably not, that is the game they play. Another time a girl in a cute little red car went into the fence and ended up heading the opposite direction. Someone in town came to her rescue and towed her out and fixed the fence. Another time I was standing by the cattle guard watching John spray weeds in the cattle guard. A car came barreling down the highway from town and slammed on the brakes when they got even with us. They ended up in the bar ditch on the other side of the highway but was able to drive away after sitting there long enough for their heart to calm down. If they had veered to our side they would have hit us most probably. Took a while for our hearts to calm down too. The large ranch John gave up had a car to drive through the fence in the middle of the night. They were able to get the car out and not report it. Just left the fence open and the next day we found little toys in the field and the fence in need of repair. Fences are not for driving on but people do sometime.

13 comments:

Frances said...

My goodness, maybe John should put some concrete posts, or a concrete barrier along that fence. But I guess the people would still run into it, and would probably be killed. So, I guess it is best to just keep fixing the fence each time. What a hassel!!!!!!!!

Lisa said...

I haven't been around too much but just had to check in on you and see what is happening and I see there is still never a boring moment!! As you say, at least this one carries insurance. I can't even imagine what it would be like to try and round up the cattle if they were to get out.
I like your header picture...very festive!

Helen said...

I wonder if you had a business on that road if you would get any customers since it seems so busy there. Helen

Jennifer said...

It seems like there aren't any country roads left anymore. A lot of the farmland around here has been sold off to developers who build big fancy subdivisions. Now, the country roads are just as busy as the city roads...

Jimmy's Journal said...

I know a lot of people who do nothing but straddle the fence. How's the turtles?

Jimmy

shirl72 said...

I believe the answer maybe DWI. You sure do have some intresting things happen. How exciting
to live on a ranch. Hope the turtles are doing
OK and the excitement will not upset them.

Shirl

jack69 said...

Never a dull day at the ranch. Did the renters move out that were feeding the turtles?
Just talked to someone who had a vacation scheduled for SAn Antonio last week, but cancelled cause y'all had such a cold spell.
Hope all is well now, cept the fence mishaps!
Jack & Sherry still in NC for two more days.

Dar said...

Mercy Child, you sure must have a busy road...I hate when folks just ride on in and make a mess...sounds like DWI to me too...or maybe that hog...coulda, woulda, shoulda,..who knows. Glad no one got hurt.
We lost a black angus with calf that broke fence, wandered onto the road and got hit by a fella who fell asleep. He said he never saw her, well, of course not, he was asleep., and it was a black cow on a pitch black night, funny, but I do remember seeing his headlights. Turns out, he was a butcher from the city who for the first time in his life, saw a butchering job done from the hoof up, johnny-on-the-spot. He was so shocked at the process he said he was going home to quit his job. We had to laugh.
Anyway, glad the fence is mended and your cattle never got out, that's an expensive loss.
We try to get to TX annually but not as far south as you are...have a great winter there and stay warm.
Blessings Be Yours

Fernan said...

Have found most horse owners (99%) and all snowmobilers care little about cattle fences. They all believe these fences are our respouncabilty whether their damage has been reported to us or not. A courtious and human act upon their part they feel no respouncabilty to act upon it at all.

Lucy said...

Those Texan's don't know when to leave the bar. We are supposed to have a blizzard today and into tomorrow. Just be glad you do not have to contend with a LOT of snow. SOME Texans cheat like the game we just played there. The officials favored Texas on the most important call of the night and I bet the really great Texan quarterback with the really great arm and speed beats out our Suh for the Hiesman trophy. Oh well, just call it a little resentment because my TX. family has been so disappointing.

garnett109 said...

yikes

Sheila Y said...

That is definitely busy for a country road. Hope no one ends up getting hurt. Maybe the turtles will warm up enough to come back out for food. Take care, Sheila

Gerry said...

A good reason Grandpa kept building 'rip gut' fences as they are so solid hardly any animal can break them down, but fences on the mountain pasture are broken down every summer by man or beast so cows can get to the untouched grass in the pasture that beckons to them even though they will be trespassed, a lot of reasons fences get busted, mostly for illegal reasons!