Cattle Baron's Ball - Biblical Mud Expierance
October 4, 2009
When Allpoints Limousine booked it stretch limousine and Limo Bus for the 2009 Cattle Baron's Ball we set about out usual arrangements for providing the evening's guests with our customary high level of service. We checked that the vehicles were spotless, glassware sparkleing, complementary champagne chilled, chauffeurs briefed, all in order. Looking at the sky I thought better add umbrellas and extra towels!
The first signs of trouble were upon arrival. The valets were directed everyone off of the paved road to unload in a field by a tent. I was driving the Limo Bus which became stuck seconds after leaving the pavement. But I'm a expieranced driver and got the people up to a reasonably dry area to unload. I was directed accross the road where the valets from Jim Bowles Services were parking private cars and limos. They tried to send me to the bottom of the pasture but I opted to stay at the top of the hill. There seemed to be grass so I thought if I didn't have to fight gravity I would be ok to get out. I stretched out to read a book and fell asleep.
When I awoke it was raining buckets! I made my way to the farm house since the porta pottys were sinking into the mud and leaning. On my way back to the Limo Bus I heard someone on a cell phone say that their limo could'nt get out.
The valets were making heroic efforts to
bring people's cars up from the bottom of the now foot deep in mud
pasture. It looked like one of those scenes from a old western
with everyone fignting in the mud.
The passengers in our stretch were ready to go so I, a valet and three other drivers pushed the stretch through the mud by hand and it was able to excape. Our suits were covered head to toe in mud but we didn't think the client would be too picky with things the way they were.
I called my guests and asked if the music was good? They said yes, so I suggested they stay put, because I could see no one was going anywhere soon. When they came out about 1 AM we sat in the Bus watching the mud durby unfold around us. Next to us was a stretch Esclade and they had found some chairs, from who knows where, and were sitting there having drinks and cheering on the cars as they slid into holes and each other. All of the afore mentioned grass was now gone replaced by six to 14 inches of mud.
Some
wreckers arrived but promptly got stuck and had to tow each other
out. Next some farmers arrived with tractors and began pulling
vehicles out. I and one of the guys in my Bus kept going over
to the farmers and trying to get them to tow us. No luck until
the lady who rented the limos got out and waded up to one of the
tractor drivers and said "mister, I was born here in Kaufman and
could you come get us next?" The tractor drivers said "yes'
um" We arrived back at the clients home about 5:30 AM.
Of course, their tip helped pay the towing fee and we didn't charge
them for the extra time.
The next day as I looked at the inches of mud
inside of my two vehicles I contacted the Cattle Baron's Ball
officals. I was told that if I would send them re
ceipts
for the towing and detailing of the vehicles I would be reimbursed
for my expenses.
However, by this time events had taken on the humor of rememberance. I told them that the Cattle Baron's Ball does good work raising money for the American Cancer Sociaty and they should keep the money.
I did suggest that they should sell "I Survived the 2009 Cattle Baron's Ball" shirts.
The Cattle Baron's Ball
A good time was had by all
Cattle Baron's Ball
Cattle Baron's Ball
Cattle Baron's Ball
Cattle Baron's Ball
Battle Baron's Ball