Stuck in the Slush - A Little Help??

[minnbowhunter]

I think we all are getting a little lax about helping folks out. I know that I don't stop everytime I see someone on the side of the road with a flat tire. I think to myself "Oh, they probably have a cellphone and someone is sure to be on the way to help already. I think to many times we think "Well, they got themselves in, they can get themselves out". I know that many icefisherman dislike snowmobiles because of the actions of a few riders running over tip-ups or riding too close to their house. I have run across hunters far from roads with a deer on the ground and no idea how they were going to get it out. I have always helped but thought to myself "Dude, what the [PoorWordUsage] were you thinking". I am not making excuses for anyone's action, just kinda typing my thoughts. In my opinion the folks that I have met on the ice are some of the most helpful that I have found. My brother dropped his truck keys down a hole one night and before we knew it there were 6 guys in our house with a big magnet and spent an hour before we got them back up.

[Marmot]

I think one of the last times I helped a guy ice fishing, I dropped the tongue of his wheel house on his hand.

I was in my perm shack and saw him struggling to get his small-ish wheel house hooked onto his wheeler. I go out to help him. The wheel house was very tongue heavy. Did I mention the ice was extremely slick? We get the house lifted to set it on a block of wood. I slip on the ice and drop the tongue. It was too much for one man to lift, so he ended up with a smashed hand. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a couple of broken fingers out of that deal.

[BuckKiller]

im usually more then happy to help someone out if they ask. I don't usually go out of my way to help but I will if the fish ain't bitting.

[516]

why do people need to ask for help, if you see someone having trouble go help its the right thing to do

[MNice]

why do people need to ask for help, if you see someone having trouble go help its the right thing to do

Isn't that true, the other day I stopped for a guy on the side of the road, he used my cell to call his buddy for help. He was flabbergasted I didn't want anything, I told him just pay it forward!!

[Sandmannd]

Originally Posted By: 516

why do people need to ask for help, if you see someone having trouble go help its the right thing to do

Isn't that true, the other day I stopped for a guy on the side of the road, he used my cell to call his buddy for help. He was flabbergasted I didn't want anything, I told him just pay it forward!!

I agree, no need to ask even if I'm on the mother load of fish. I'll stop and go help someone. People are shocked when you ask nothing in exchange.

[titelines]

All these "feel good" stories have inspired me to relate why it is I try to help people at every opportunity.

About 16 years ago, my wife and I were coming back from a trip and had just crossed back into MN. It's about 11:00 at night in the middle of nowhere. Unknown to me is that my gas gauge has decided to quit working, so we run out of gas when I think we've got about a 1/2 tank left. There is no one, and I mean no one around. No houses or lights of any kind. About 5 minutes later, the only car within what seemed to be 50 miles comes by and stops. It's a guy on his way home. He picks us up and drives for about 45 minutes, to 3 stations before we find one that's open. He let's us borrow a gas can so we don't have to buy one, drives us all the way back to our car and waits until our truck starts and he knows we're okay. What's more, the people at the gas station were going to close, but he tells them that we'll be back to fill our tank completely and for them to wait for us. They actually stayed open until we got there about an hour later. We bended over backwards to offer him something, anything. He refused and told us to just help the next time we see someone who needs it. We could have been in real trouble had he not stopped to help us. It was at that moment I resolved to help people whenever possible.

Fast forward about 7 years to a grocery store. An older woman was just up the aisle from me and her legs just seemed to give out on her. She went down to the ground and appeared to be hurt. About 3-4 people walked past her, almost not even making eye contact. Not one person said "Are you okay?", or "Can I help you?", nothing. I walked over, bent down and told her to stay still and gather herself. She was almost in tears as she said "why did everyone just walk by me?". After a minute or so, we determined that she was okay. I helped her up and she just kept saying "thank you". We finished our shopping together to make sure she was okay then parted. I didn't do it for myself, but the feeling I had was indescribable.

These two events stick out in my mind and I will probably never forget them.

It's like the question: "What's better: Getting presents or giving presents?" I get a much better feeling when I give rather than receive.

[leotard]

There are somany people out there that never think that they will ever need help from someone else. I think that it is pretty sad that these people cant take the time to just stop. I live in southwest mn and so many people here are worried about it being some weirdo. Well even if it is they still could use help. People are just worried about themselves and that is it. I really feel sorry for people that wont stop to help someone in need.

[Sandmannd]

All these "feel good" stories have inspired me to relate why it is I try to help people at every opportunity.

About 16 years ago, my wife and I were coming back from a trip and had just crossed back into MN. It's about 11:00 at night in the middle of nowhere. Unknown to me is that my gas gauge has decided to quit working, so we run out of gas when I think we've got about a 1/2 tank left. There is no one, and I mean no one around. No houses or lights of any kind. About 5 minutes later, the only car within what seemed to be 50 miles comes by and stops. It's a guy on his way home. He picks us up and drives for about 45 minutes, to 3 stations before we find one that's open. He let's us borrow a gas can so we don't have to buy one, drives us all the way back to our car and waits until our truck starts and he knows we're okay. What's more, the people at the gas station were going to close, but he tells them that we'll be back to fill our tank completely and for them to wait for us. They actually stayed open until we got there about an hour later. We bended over backwards to offer him something, anything. He refused and told us to just help the next time we see someone who needs it. We could have been in real trouble had he not stopped to help us. It was at that moment I resolved to help people whenever possible.

Fast forward about 7 years to a grocery store. An older woman was just up the aisle from me and her legs just seemed to give out on her. She went down to the ground and appeared to be hurt. About 3-4 people walked past her, almost not even making eye contact. Not one person said "Are you okay?", or "Can I help you?", nothing. I walked over, bent down and told her to stay still and gather herself. She was almost in tears as she said "why did everyone just walk by me?". After a minute or so, we determined that she was okay. I helped her up and she just kept saying "thank you". We finished our shopping together to make sure she was okay then parted. I didn't do it for myself, but the feeling I had was indescribable.

These two events stick out in my mind and I will probably never forget them.

It's like the question: "What's better: Getting presents or giving presents?" I get a much better feeling when I give rather than receive.

Those are great stories. Thanks for sharing. And yes, the feeling you get from helping people is unbelievable. Best thing in the world. I don't care if I never need help, I will help who ever I see in trouble.

[canoepaddle]

Just wanted to thank this board and all the good ideas that are posted. I used C63's idea of a 2x4 and wench this past weekend when I went out to plow an ice rink in front of our cabin before I checked the ice. Needless to say between the foot of snow and 6 inches of water all over in front of the cabin, I got my atv stuck. I walked back and got the chisel and 2x4, chopped a hole, jammed the 2x4 in and used the wench to pull me back to good ice. Worked great. I guess a 2x4 will be standard equipment from now on. Again, thanks for the great info on this board.

canoepaddle