When I'm at work during the week I like to go to my car for lunch, away from the chatter of our break room. I park under some trees that offer shade during the hot summer months and a quiet place to read. It wasn't always possible this week with the relentless rains, but yesterday, after another heavy downpour, the sky brightened and it looked like it would be nice for the hour I would be on my lunch break. As I was sitting in my car, eating my lunch and reading as usual, the heavens opened and another deluge hit, pounding my car and quickly filling the street. I enjoyed watching the scene as huge raindrops hit the pavement in a drenching rain. I imagined myself curled up on a sofa in front of a warm fireplace, sipping hot chocolate and listening to the downpour outside. I love days like this!
But reality returned and it was time to go back to work, so I went to start my car and . . . nothing. It wouldn't even turn over -- my battery was dead. I thought about walking back to work since I was just across the street, and calling AAA to start my battery at the end of the day. But I soon realized I was surrounded by water! The rain had filled the street with water to the top of the curb -- about 8" deep. I was trapped in a mini-flood! I called AAA right away and just had to wait it out. So I went back to reading and decided to enjoy the extra time. By the time AAA got there 40 minutes later, the rain had stopped and the water receded enough that I could now get out. As for my battery? I had them put in a new one!
The picture was taken by our maintenance manager who was amazed at the sudden flooding in the street and around our Department of Education campus. Yes, that is my car you see up the street, and although it doesn't capture the full extent of how deep the water was, you can at least get a glimpse of it. I saw him taking the picture, but he had no idea I was trapped in my own car! What an adventure!
