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View Full Version : Marauder attacked by a Bartlet Pear



Mike Poore
11-11-2005, 11:05 AM
There's good news and bad news.

On Monday I went to see the surgeon who did my ACL replacement, on the 25th of August, and he said, "all better", go do anything you like, I don't have to see you again. That's a remarkable recovery in just 73 days, he said, I'm very pleased. So yesterday was the trip to my GP to get the back to work and official blessing from him. Needless to say, he was very pleased also, as are Barb and me.

While waiting to get the paperwork & stuff, the nurse asked if that was my silver car in the lot with PA tags. Of course, I brightened right up, as is the case whenever anyone asks about the MM. (she was looking very good, the MM) Well, she said we can arrange transportation for you to get home, is there anyone we can call? My smile was fading fast.

You see, she said, a Bartlet Pear tree has fallen on your car. Did you say, I asked, that a *%$#^%$ tree has fallen on my Marauder? Yes, she said, a Bartlet Pear, what's a Marauder? Let's go look I said. We're very sorry, she said, and there's a man coming to take it away. What!!!! Do you mean my Marauder or the tree? Both, she said, we're very sorry, you see, there's been some high winds while you were visiting the doctor. We're taking pictures, now, for the insurance company. Arrrrrraaaaauuuugggghhhh!:eek:

So, out we went, me, expecting to see my beloved MM squashed like a pancake. Sure enough, there was a 20 something foot tree completely covering the MM and all I could see of it was part of the trunk, and the tail lights. In front it was completely covered by branches from the vile tree, and it was impossible to gain access to the interior of the car from the driver's side.

Fortunately, there was a GMC pickup backed into the spot next to the tree, and the tree trunk had landed squarely on the truck's bed, with the branches covering/resting on my baby.

In a while, an old fellow (that's anyone who looks to be over 70) showed up with a Chevy S-10 and a chain saw. So, while he carefully sawed away at the branches as I selected them and lifted and carried them away, we were able to cut away anything from the horrid tree that was touching the MM.

Now it was inspection time. There were a few "rub" marks on the hood roof, and driver's side door, but no dents that I could see, and except for the debris from the saw and leaves, not much of anything else. I went down the street to the car wash and spritzed off the stuff and drove home.

Close inspection revealed a few light scratches, but the Meguiar's yellow wax and a little elbow grease cleaned 'em right up, as it was the wax that was marked, not the paint. So, here's the happy ending, my poor knee is OK and so is the Marauder.:)

Tallboy
11-11-2005, 11:10 AM
Unbelieveable! Glad it all worked out, Mike...:)

LordVader
11-11-2005, 11:16 AM
My oh my...that is a story with a happy ending. A "clean" diagnosis on both the knee and the car. Glad it was only some cosmetics.

MyTMerc
11-11-2005, 11:53 AM
Mike,
You went to the doctors for a bad knee and almost had a heart attack. Glad to hear everything was OK! I had the same thing happen in my driveway a few years ago. The Weeping Willow blew over and completely covered my Subaru XT. Once I cut the tree away, the car was not even scratched. My son finished the car off though, pulling a Dukes of Hazard aborne assault finishing off by making it a submarine. Thankfully he was OK too. Last time he ever borrowed my car......

martyo
11-11-2005, 11:54 AM
Did you tell them that the impact must have knocked your supercharger off the car?

Marauderjack
11-11-2005, 11:58 AM
Mike,

That's good news!! I was affraid it would be worse??:argue:

While driving about 45 MPH one day a limb fell from a pine tree and hit my roof right above the windshield!!:mad2: It hit so hard it sounded like a brick!!:baaa:

I stopped and expected a huge dent but was pleasantly surprised by a wad of pine tar and not even a scratch!!:bows: :banana:

A little rubbing alcohol and the pine tar is gone...works on hard and crusty pine drippings too!!:beer:

GOOD AS NEW.....Whew!!:rolleyes:

Marauderjack:D

fastblackmerc
11-11-2005, 03:07 PM
Glad to hear you & your MM are OK :up:

Mike Poore
11-11-2005, 03:38 PM
Did you tell them that the impact must have knocked your supercharger off the car?

Yeh! Know any good lawyers?

I do have a small crack in the windshield, and guess I could get that fixed; however, after talking with the guy at the glass shop determined it will pass inspection, and the hastle with the inspection sticker and security pass at Ft. Detrick, hardly makes it worth the BS to get it replaced, never mind the mess. :rolleyes:

marauder307
11-11-2005, 05:13 PM
Now to take the ultimate revenge...

Find the pieces of that tree and BURN THAT SUCKER! :fire: :flamer: :D

CRUZTAKER
11-11-2005, 08:15 PM
Sorry to hear about that.:(

I never had a Bartlet Pear fall on my car, bur had a doosy of large ornamental cherry smash the trunk down last winter.

jimlam56
11-12-2005, 04:39 AM
Glad to hear everything worked out Mike.
Bet the ole heart was pumpin' when you walked out to see the car!
Jim

AzMarauder
11-12-2005, 04:57 PM
I'd a have to have sent them a bill for a brand new set of underwear!

Big House
11-12-2005, 07:46 PM
As much as I hate to say it but it seems you owe GM a grand load of thanks for building their trucks "professional grade." Seeing that its truck took on a tree and saved a Ford; imagine the PR spin GM would put on that one. I am glad allturned out well for you and the Silver Beauty.

snowbird
11-13-2005, 06:01 AM
Amazing club. After all these years, we found practicle usage of GM trucks !!

Glad the story have a nice end.

Joe Walsh
11-13-2005, 08:21 AM
Hi Mike, I'm glad to here that your Silver BIRCH fended off the wayward Bartlett Pear!
You must have been sick to your stomach when you first saw it...:(
Congrats on the speedy recovery...now you can really MASH down the accelerator pedal.:D

BTW: Bartlett Pear trees are essentially time bombs because of the way in which all their limbs grow from the same spot* on the trunk.
They are very weak and big limbs WILL break off when it is windy. I try to avoid parking near them, although just about every parking lot is surrounded by them.

*(unless you specifically prune them to avoid this growth)

Bluerauder
11-14-2005, 08:08 AM
You see, she said, a Bartlet Pear tree has fallen on your car. Did you say, I asked, that a *%$#^%$ tree has fallen on my Marauder?
Mike, glad to hear everything turned out OK. :D As I was reading your story I wasn't sure which way you were heading with the news. :rolleyes: I just love happy endings.

I had a Bradford Pear fall between the van and my '94 Thunderbird during Hurricane Isabel in September 2003. I couldn't have put it between the cars that closely if I was a senior woodcutter in the Lumberjack's Union. Joe Walsh is right ... the "branching" of those pear trees makes them very vulnerable to splitting once they reach 10 years or so.

Mike Poore
11-14-2005, 08:49 AM
.......I had a Bradford Pear fall .......

On second thought it WAS a Bradford Pear. My appologies to the Bartlett Pear Clan. I've called off the gehad. ;)

Bluerauder
11-14-2005, 09:08 AM
On second thought it WAS a Bradford Pear. My appologies to the Bartlett Pear Clan. I've called off the gehad. ;)
The S.O.B. ran outside to check the damage and when he noticed that the tree had not damaged the T-Bird, he suggested that if he lifted it ... I could drive it under. :rofl: While I didn't take his suggestion, only three weeks later the Blue MM was sitting in my driveway. :D

Joe Walsh
11-14-2005, 04:58 PM
On second thought it WAS a Bradford Pear. My appologies to the Bartlett Pear Clan. I've called off the gehad. ;)

OOPS! :o
Yeah BRADFORD PEAR...Like Mike said.

SergntMac
11-14-2005, 07:00 PM
I haven't had the Bradford pair on my MM yet, but the Torres twins live across the alley from me, and I almost got one of them in my back seat last summer ummm...nevermind.

Mike Poore
11-15-2005, 06:48 PM
I haven't had the Bradford pair on my MM yet, but the Torres twins live across the alley from me, and I almost got one of them in my back seat last summer ummm...nevermind.

Off to the corner with you. :corner:


It's pear, not pair. Um, got any pictures? :coolman:

Hotrauder
11-15-2005, 06:58 PM
Mike, Fruit trees are excellent in the fireplace! Glad you and the car are ok. Dennis:)

Mike Poore
11-16-2005, 03:56 AM
Mike, Fruit trees are excellent in the fireplace! Glad you and the car are ok. Dennis:)

Dennis, there's lots to laugh about, now; but last Thursday, I was one very upset old coot. :mad2:

Haggis
11-16-2005, 04:09 AM
On second thought it WAS a Bradford Pear. My appologies to the Bartlett Pear Clan. I've called off the gehad. ;)
You better apologize before I tell Roscoe on you!!! :nono:

Mike Poore
11-16-2005, 06:16 AM
You better apologize before I tell Roscoe on you!!! :nono:



Only you Mar'lin boys are gonna git that one.

For you's other guys who might be interested. Roscoe Bartlett is the Congressman from Maryland's sixth district (Frederick). :) http://www.bartlett.house.gov/biography.asp