Culvert Ops

I like to pace when I talk on the phone. Even at work if it’s a cell phone call that doesn’t directly require a computer screen, odds are I’m moving from room to room. Add in the possibility of good weather and the odds are even higher that I’ll be making circles around the building as I gesture uselessly to the person on the other end of the conversation.

Wednesday was a particularly beautiful day here in St Louis. I called my Aunt Gimpy to wish her health and wellness prior to her surgery the following day. I made my circle around the building and then, not wanting to retrace my steps, took off for the small line of trees that divides our parking lot from the folks across the way. Tucked away amidst these trees is a concrete drainage culvert that whisks away the rain water. It’s not a scenic brook, but it’s the closest thing I have at my disposal. So, I went down there to continue my pacing as my Aunt filled me in on the increasing levels of confusion and apparent incompetence at the hospital. The trees smelled like greenery and the water sounded soothing and if I closed my eyes I could almost forget that I was surrounded by an industrial park.

The only problem with my pacing spot was that due to the sloped sides of the culvert, I was given a relatively small area in which to make my conversational laps. So, in order to increase my range and also to satisfy my natural curiosity, I started following the water. At first I tried to walk on the concrete sides in a straight line, but this hurt my ankles due to the incline. I improvised a zigzag pattern in which I would jump the water, arch a parabola up and down the other side and repeat the process on the original bank. It was less strenuous than it sounds since the angled concrete encouraged this sort of arch and the “jump” was really just a glorified step. All in all I was pretty pleased with my solution to the problem. I was having an adventure, getting some exercise, and talking to my aunt all at the same time.

Around a few bends in the culvert, I came to a point where the water disappeared under the road and into a tunnel. As I approached, I fully expected the water to shoot under the upcoming road and then shoot back out to open air. I would simply continue my water-following trek on the other side. However, it soon became clear that there was no light visible down the tunnel. In fact, on the side of the road was a parking lot and large building. The tunnel’s destination was a mystery.

Now, I should admit at this point that tunnels stir something magical in my soul. As one who started caving with my Dad around the age of five or so, there is something overwhelmingly inviting about a mysterious hole in the ground. Sure, I’d rather it be naturally formed…but a six-foot by six-foot square passage leading into the earth almost just as cool.

I crossed the road and meandered my way behind the building, hoping to find where the tunnel exited. No luck. The grade seemed to have changed, so the odds of the water making an escape from the darkness was rather slim.

As I continued chatting with Aunt Gimpy, I began a mental list. I’d need a flashlight, wading boots, a change of clothes, and a camera (you know…for Wordless Wednesday just in case there’s something cool back there).

I then used the sidewalks to return to my office for the rest of my conversation.

Anyway, I barged in on my network admin today to see if I could borrow his camera. I knew I wanted to write this post and figured pictures would aid the story telling. He agreed and opted to tag along for the photo shoot. Now he’s just as excited as I am about the tunnel. We don’t really expect to find anything outrageously exciting… but come on…could you resist this?

Also, Aunt Gimpy came through her surgery just fine. She now has a shiny new pacemaker to show off. And as a gadget guy…I look forward to seeing it.