Just Plain Jeff
07-29-2006, 07:45 AM
Hitman Frank and I decided the loop over the Great Lakes was the best return from OSH.
What we didn't know was that there was a 2.8 'metre' wide bridge in Sherbrooke, Quebec. The load limit signs were obscured and we didn't have the metric conversion tables at hand.
With Hitman at the wheel, we opted for the straight approach to the bridge, about 60 feet long, and Hitman cleared the first steel bridge support by a solid 3/8th of an inch. The bridge crew came out to watch, with the supervisior wildly waving his arms at us. Not speaking French, we didn't try to engage in dialogue.
Behind us was a semi-tractor, waiting to see what we were going to do.
As we cleared the final strut, with a strong 1/4 inch clearance at the mirror, Hitman got us on solid ground, only to hear a very loud CRACKING sound at the bridge with many people running around and the semi-tractor halted at the bridge approach.
Hitman said, "My hands are clammy." I began to breathe and we laughed, figuring that if they covered the load limit sign and it wasn't in English anyway, the got what they got.
Anyway, no damage to the bus and we are in another country now.
Nice save, Hitman!
What we didn't know was that there was a 2.8 'metre' wide bridge in Sherbrooke, Quebec. The load limit signs were obscured and we didn't have the metric conversion tables at hand.
With Hitman at the wheel, we opted for the straight approach to the bridge, about 60 feet long, and Hitman cleared the first steel bridge support by a solid 3/8th of an inch. The bridge crew came out to watch, with the supervisior wildly waving his arms at us. Not speaking French, we didn't try to engage in dialogue.
Behind us was a semi-tractor, waiting to see what we were going to do.
As we cleared the final strut, with a strong 1/4 inch clearance at the mirror, Hitman got us on solid ground, only to hear a very loud CRACKING sound at the bridge with many people running around and the semi-tractor halted at the bridge approach.
Hitman said, "My hands are clammy." I began to breathe and we laughed, figuring that if they covered the load limit sign and it wasn't in English anyway, the got what they got.
Anyway, no damage to the bus and we are in another country now.
Nice save, Hitman!