By John Jefferson
About 20 years ago or so, Texas was in a historic drought. Nothing new about that.
Everyone prayed for rain. I’m guessing even a few atheists were praying for it, too – especially if they were farmers. However, most farmers and ranchers I know are Christians and have been praying all their lives. In their business, God has a heavy hand in the ups and downs of their toils. And they have no control over the weather.
After suffering through that drought, it began raining. And, MAN, did it rain! Some won’t believe this (but you can look it up), the small town of Boerne west of San Antonio, received 39 inches of rain. Many counties around there also received a lot. The drought had broken.
The lakes filled. Some houses even floated. Friends called and invited us to join them in driving up to the closest newly filled lake to see it. We had never seen it that high!
It was the Fourth of July and the lake, which was then extended uphill into the parking lot, had become a tourist attraction. Other cars seemed just to be gawking, too.
As we watched, a boat with three or four guys aboard came speeding up creating a sizable wake that disturbed other boaters trying to pull their boats out. The guys obliviously passed a line of boats on the water awaiting a turn at the ramp.
They even heckled a man having trouble backing his trailer down the ramp. The guy backing the trailer for the guys’ boat also had that trouble. While they were still on the ramp, instead of towing to the unrigging area, one young man climbed on the rear truck bumper to retrieve something from the truck bed – maybe another drink. His wet shoe slipped, and his knee struck the bumper. We heard a “Crack.” His buddies helped him away.
As they left the parking lot, my friend remarked that we would wait and give them time to clear our path. Wise move.
We waited about ten or more minutes before leaving. On the way back home, the first thing we noticed was what looked like a boat trailer fender in the road. About a hundred yards further we saw the overturned boat in the ditch. A couple hundred yards more was their pickup … well off the road with its nose against a tree and a Highway Patrolman taking notes. We couldn’t tell whether the guys were still in the wreck or on their way to the hospital.
First offense Boating While Intoxicated carries a penalty of 3 days to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. It’s the same for DWI. Subsequent offenses can have higher penalties, including possible ten-year prison terms and $10,000 fines.
These boys began a day of fun. It possibly ended in the hospital and probably later in court.
That’s hardly a happy ending to a holiday outing. And unlikely any fun.
Think about that if boating on the Fourth!
JJ
(at top): Lakes get crowded on holiday weekends. A boating safety course is required of all boat operators born after September 1, 1993. Officers from multiple agencies will be on the water over the Fourth of July weekend. Refusing a blood or breath test can cost an intoxicated boat pilot his drivers’ license. If a child is aboard, that’s a separate offense. All children under 13 must wear life jackets aboard boats less than 26 feet long when their boat is underway.
(Photo by John Jefferson)
