You Know You Are Old When

[WinterDeere]

My best friend hit a deer on a snowmobile when we were in high school, running way too fast along the edge of a hedgerow, when the deer jumped out right into his path. Just about totaled the sled, and knocked my buddy out cold. He woke up to find the deer stumbling back onto its feet and limping back into the woods from which it had come. Sled had the hood cowling smashed to bits, and both spark plugs snapped off.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I hit a deer 15 years ago on a KTM 640 doing 55, I still ride.......tho I had 2 year break after the deer thing.

 

[orezok]

About 15 years ago, we were camping in Utah. Went to dinner one night and while returning and rounding a large hill, a deer jumped out in front of me. No time to even hit the brakes. Fortunately it lowered its head just as I hit it at 55 MPH. I drove a mile or 2 to a small store with outside lights to view the damage. The deers head hit about the middle of the grill and completely destroyed it. Pushed the AC radiator and transmission cooler back into the radiator and damaged it. But nothing leaked and the fan didn’t damage the radiator.

The next morning I inspected the damage as it was 800 miles from home with a trailer. After the initial hit the body of the deer wrapped around the passenger side and caved in the door and left a considerable amount of internal debris.

Between duct tape and bailing wire I repaired the old Ram enough to make it home.

I contacted my insurance and after they appraised the 10 year old Ram, they totaled it as damages exceeded $5000.

Fortunately my insurance company paid me more than I thought the truck was worth.

 

[scootr]

Sister was driving Moms early 60s Safari station wagon on her learners permit on the PA backroads when a deer jumped out at her from the side and jumped clear over the wagon and away... later I heard a story from a 18 wheeler a the deer jumped clear over his cab and trailer only to die when it landed on the van roof. Freaking deer...

 

[WinterDeere]

One for the moms out there in tractor land.

 

[newbury]

Every accident I've ever had was in slow motion,

And that moment becomes permanent in your memory.
I can still see in my mind the my booted ankle protecting the engine case of my Suzuki 250 as the car t-boned me and threw me into oncoming traffic. Crushed my ankle, not a scratch on the engine.
Little old lady didn't see the motorcycle.
Ankle throbs just thinking of it and that was in 1970.

 

[goeduck]

When you feel pain in your knees every time you go up the stairs

When I was young, 18 years old or so, I worked for a carpenter. After building a few houses with him, I noticed that he always built 1 level houses. One day I asked him why and he told me that he targets retirement people and when people get to retirement age, they do not want stairs. He said that one day I would understand..... So, fast forward.... when we bought our current house, we bought a 1 level house.

 

[ultrarunner]

When I was young, 18 years old or so, I worked for a carpenter. After building a few houses with him, I noticed that he always built 1 level houses. One day I asked him why and he told me that he targets retirement people and when people get to retirement age, they do not want stairs. He said that one day I would understand..... So, fast forward.... when we bought our current house, we bought a 1 level house.

I have one home that is barrier free… not a step from garage to house… maybe forward thinking?

 

[bdhsfz6]

Wish I had built a single level home. Instead, I put up a bi level to take advantage of the hilltop view. I was in my 30's then and had no clue. Now, trees have obscured the view and at 77, I'm left climbing stairs for no particular reason.

To make it easier, I added this elevator, a modified Genie Manlift, and incorporated it into the deck:

I don't need it all the time, but it comes in handy when I do.

 

[WinterDeere]

Wish I had built a single level home. Instead, I put up a bi level to take advantage of the hilltop view. I was in my 30's then and had no clue. Now, trees have obscured the view and at 77, I'm left climbing stairs for no particular reason.

To make it easier, I added this elevator, a modified Genie Manlift, and incorporated it into the deck:

View attachment 2251768 View attachment 2251769 View attachment 2251770

I don't need it all the time, but it comes in handy when I do.

I like that, and will need to remember it. Our home is on 4 levels, and there is no pass-thru between the second floor part of the house containing my music studio and the rest of our second floor. My shop is also on 2 levels, with an extremely steep staircase having a turn at the bottom 4 steps, and I'm forever carrying heavy materials and tools up and down those stairs.

I've thought about what we'll do when we get old, as I can't imagine ever having to move again, or ever fitting our life into a smaller place. But the reality is that someday, it will not be practical to live in a place with so many stairs.