FOGGY MOUNTAIN TOOL

On a Monday afternoon, back when I owned an equipment rental business,

- Kennesaw Tailor

I delivered a skid steer to a job site on top of a mountain. I parked at the bottom, on level ground and then drove the skid steer up a mile of steep, gravel road to the top. This proves I’m smart enough to survive, the return trip proved I was stupid enough to die. I had a tilt trailer; in itself on level ground it was just about too steep to load.

When I returned on Friday to pick it up, I stopped on level ground and contemplated the mile walk. I convinced myself that if I went to the top, turned around and pointed the trailer down the road, it would be level, once it was tilted, genius really. If it don’t look good on Monday, it ain’t good on Friday, no matter how ready you are to go home. I hit the mountain pouring the coal to that old dually truck. I was spinning and slingin’ gravel as I climbed, this being a clear indication I was making a mistake.

I reached the top, turned around, found a straight place, set the brake, put the truck in reverse, got out and placed blocks in front of the tires. Everyone at the job site was paying attention; they could see the fool in me.