Three Good Samaritans

The temperature hit 50 degrees F here in the Twin Cities today.  Yesterday was mild, too, causing a lot of the snow we've accumulated this winter to melt.  The only problem with the melting snow is that it freezes overnight, causing black ice on the roadways.

I wasn't immune to the black ice today.  My car slid off the road on my way to work this morning.

I work in Burnsville, so I drive against the rush hour traffic that heads to Minneapolis every weekday morning.

As I exited I-35W southbound to get onto Cliff Road, I hit a slick patch of ice on the exit ramp and veered towards the right shoulder of the road.  I thought I'd hit one of the signs, but then my car swerved to the right of it and headed for the ditch.  My car left the road and continued traveling on the gravel shoulder and into the snow.  I thought my car would rollover, but the snow slowed it down enough where I eventually came to a stop before going all the way into the ditch.

The red X marks where I slid off the road.  The purple X marks where I work.

My car was stuck on the hill decline heading into the ditch.  With my hands, I tried to shovel out some of the snow around my tires and then head in reverse to get my car back onto the road, but my front tires kept spinning.  Gravity and the snow were working against me.

"God, please help me," I kept repeating over and over.  Several cars passed me on the exit ramp before a pickup truck pulled over.  The guy driving it got out and asked me if I was ok.  I told him I was stuck, so he headed over to the front of my car and started pushing while I put the car in reverse and hit the gas.  With me driving and him pushing, we still couldn't get my car out of the snow.  The guy then asked if I had AAA.  "My roommate does, but I don't," I answered.  He then said he was going to head to his office (which was nearby) and get a couple guys to come help him push my car out of the snow.

I waited for a few minutes and called one of my co-workers to let her know I was going to be late and the reason why.  More cars passed me and then finally the guy and his two co-workers were back, and the three of them were able to push my car back onto the road.  A state trooper finally showed up after I was back on the road safe and sound.  The officer pulled up to my window and asked if I was ok.  I let him know that I was.

I'm really grateful that I wasn't hurt.  My front bumper is cracked in a couple spots, but it's barely noticeable.  The damage could have been greater and I could have been injured.  This whole incident could have been so much worse.  I'm also very thankful that those three nice gentlemen helped me out.

Be thankful for every minute you have on this earth because your life can change in an instant.  I will also be sure to keep a shovel in my car during the winter months and sign up for AAA.