Special offer

Sometimes you have to adjust your schedule “on the fly” to take advantage of a unique opportunity!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

 

Norfolk Southern 7706 on the trestle over Big Wahoo Creek in Sargent Georgia.  Yesterday I was heading to the office at the usual time. I had my schedule for the day planned out and as long as everything went according to plans. It was going to be a very ordinary day!

But as I approached a little used railroad crossing near the house, something very different happened. There was a locomotive heading my way!

As a rail fan, I knew that this line served only one industry, and that there was usually only one run a week, typically after midnight. But the train was headed towards Newnan and I immediately set my itinerary aside.

You see, there was a photo that I have had in my head for over twenty years. I wanted to get a photo of a train going over the old trestle across Big Wahoo Creek! (Yes, that is really the name of it.)

So I followed the train to the crossing at Newnan, and then beyond to the little town of Sargent. I scrambled down a hill through the briers seeking the perfect spot for the only chance I will probably ever have to grab this particular picture.

As I heard the warning horn blaring closer and closer I became very excited. The sun was perfect, I had a clear view, and the camera was ready.

And then, there it was! My shutter clicked away as the engine loped over the old trestle. And best of all, I got the shot!

In my state of rapture, I lost all track of time. Two hours had passed since I first decided to chase the train. I had to do same rather hasty schedule reconfiguration!

But when opportunity presents itself, you must seize it!

Or spend the rest of your days wondering if you should have taken the chance!

 

Comments (104)

Marshall Brown
Mid America Inspection Services, LLC - Fargo, ND
BSEE, CHI

I think "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" summed it up. Sometimes you just have to say "What the bleep!" and go for  something you need to do.  Good picture and great story.

Feb 26, 2011 04:39 AM
Martin Dragnev
Colorado Group Realty, Steamboat, CO~Call 970.291.9412 - Steamboat Springs, CO
SFR

You make a good point. Sometimes we are all so "busy" with doing all the small things that we fail to seize an opportunity presenting itself to us. Congratulations on the feature blog!

Feb 26, 2011 04:46 AM
Brad Hornshaw
Brad Hornshaw Realtor Lynnwood, Bothell, Everett - Lynnwood, WA
Realtor, Listing Agent, Buyers Agent, Investments

Hi Richard

Great Photo. You obviously are a fan to even recognize that opportunity............Brad

Feb 26, 2011 04:49 AM
Kathy Opatka
RE/MAX CROSSROADS - Ocean City, MD
Serving Ocean City, MD, & The Delaware Beaches

I think that is why the have the saying "carpe diem" - seize the day/moment!  This sometimes gets me in trouble!  i can be working a perfectly ordinary day when the opportunity for FUN arises..... hhhhmmmm.... work. play,work, play???? Which one do you think wins?

Feb 26, 2011 06:33 AM
Liane Thomas, Top Listing Agent
Professional Realty Services® - Corona, CA
Bringing you Home!

Cool photo! Way to live in the moment!

Feb 26, 2011 06:44 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Wonderful post! You're an inspirtation to all of us to remember to LIVE while we're living!

Feb 26, 2011 06:54 AM
Dennis Neal
RE/MAX, Big Bear - Big Bear Lake, CA
Your Home Sold in 21 Days or We Sell It For Free

What a great story and an effective way to illistruate your point.

Feb 26, 2011 07:01 AM
Brenda, Ron, Lee Cunningham & Tara Keator
West USA Realty - Phoenix, AZ
Realtors, Homes for Sale - Phoenix Metro

Seize the Day!  Great picture!

Feb 26, 2011 07:20 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Well said, good life example and an excellent photo.  I hope you got several nice shots.

Feb 26, 2011 09:26 AM
Pam Ruckriegel
Louisville Real Estate Pros - 502-435-5524 - Louisville, KY
Negotiating the Best Deal for You!

Cool story and very cool photo too.  No woulda, shouldas nagging you now!

Feb 26, 2011 10:39 AM
Toni Hogan
ToniHogan.com - Houston, TX

Absolutely incredible shot...worthy of a frame.

Feb 26, 2011 01:11 PM
Karen Steed
Tallapoosa, Bremen, Waco, Buchanan, Temple, Carrollton - Tallapoosa, GA
Associate Broker Haralson Realty
Way to go Richard! Congrats on the feature and the great photo. Thanks for the reminder to keep our eyes open and the schedule flexible.
Feb 26, 2011 01:37 PM
Joy Carter & Jeff Booker Brother and Sister Team
Keller Williams Parkland/Coral Springs Realty-GreatFloridaHomes Team - Coral Springs, FL
Trust Your Family's Move To Our Expertise!

Beautiful shot and worth the time!  I've done that when I am down by the ocean showing property.

My days that are planned out and scheduled with showings or listings I like because I know where, when and how.

It never fails the day I think I am going to have the day to catch up or get really organized (I'm already organized ;-)  The day is absolute helter skelter with putting out fires, saving deals, running to solve a problem for a client.

I'm just glad we are busy!  Joy

Feb 26, 2011 02:00 PM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Richard, I totally understand, and truth be told, would have been very disappointed for you if you hadn't done just that!

By the way, I love the shot, seriously!

Feb 26, 2011 09:27 PM
Sylvie Stuart
Realty One Group Mountain Desert 928-600-2765 - Flagstaff, AZ
Home Buying, Home Selling and Investment - Flagsta

This is such a great post! I love that you finally got that picture!! Thank you so much for sharing--you made my day! I felt the excitement with you!

Feb 27, 2011 02:17 AM
Steve Barker
Movement Mortgage - Bel Air, MD
Steve Barker

For years I would make my children stop and enjoy sunsets with me, sometimes kicking and screaming, now my daughter sends me pictures from college of beautiful sunsets she experiences...your photo is priceless, we should all try and find a mental picture to take everyday that moves us, motivates us, makes us smile...thanks for sharing

Feb 27, 2011 03:18 AM
Eva Aliaga
Partnership Realty Inc - Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton & Delray Beach: SE Florida Real Estate

Richard, glad to see your were able to get the shot of the train. Kinda reminds me of when I lived in NYC and rode the subway over the East river I loved to take photos from the train to the Brooklyn Bridge or the city.

Feb 27, 2011 07:01 AM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

Great shot, Richard, and an adventurous story to go with it! The sky is a perfect blue, and the '7706' is so clear.

Feb 27, 2011 07:06 AM
Laura J. Lycans
Sandhills Choice Realty, LLC - Southern Pines, NC
Your Dream + My Passion = Success!!

Great Picture, Amazing how you got there just in time to this picture was meant to be taken by you today!!

Feb 27, 2011 11:52 PM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Great shot, Richard and good for you for siezing the opportunity.  Life is too short not to when we have the chance!!!

Mar 04, 2011 05:11 PM