Barriers

Life gives you several barriers.  Some are difficulties or hurdles you must overcome.  Some are just minor speed bumps or detours to your goals and dreams.  However, some are white and orange with a flashing light that are just lying on the side of the road begging to be relocated to a good home.

If you are a long-time reader, you have read the stories of the crazy things my brother and I have done growing up.  Probably the “best” one – the one we were lucky to be alive after – was the river story.  However, the barrier story is probably the second best… at least no one almost died.

Jeff and I had gone to my grandma and grandpa’s house for dinner in the next town over.  Just outside of town, was a farm that raised the tomatoes for the local cannery.  We happened to be headed out of town this particular fall night when we saw it.

A flashing orange light.

A orange and white striped sign.

A huge barrier.

Just sitting off on the side of the road in the ditch.

We drove a little ways and both of us looked at each other and said, “Let’s go get it.”

Now, I know… this was illegal.  My father’s claim to fame growing up – among other things – was the orange barrel he stole from a construction site.  So, Jeff and I figured we’d one-up him and go for broke.

I turned around and dropped Jeff off at the sign… he climbed into the ditch and began dismantling the barrier.  I left him there and drove back into town to turn around and slowly headed back his way.  I jumped out of the car and helped him load the barrier into my 1979 Malibu.

Except, the barrier was huge.

It wouldn’t fit into the trunk.

We managed to stuff it into the backseat, with the barrier jammed into the back window and out the passenger side door.  We sped off down country roads to avoid the cops.

Except, there was no way to turn off the flashing orange light.

Jeff and I ended up taking our coats off – remember, it was fall and pretty chilly outside – to cover up the orange light so we could get home.

We pulled into the driveway, unloaded and took the barrier into our backyard and buried it under the wood pile.  Flashing light and all.

The funny thing is, of all the pranks and crap we did… this was the one we DIDN’T tell my parents about until they uncovered the barrier.  By then it was too late.

I said earlier, this was the one crazy thing we pulled where no one almost died.  However, neither of us were unscathed from the experience.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the severe ear infections we both had for a week after driving home with the window down and the wind blowing in… but it was worth it.

So, if you are in the market for a road closed sign and barrier, I might be able to hook you up… I might know someone who has one.

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