NO PICTURES.....NOT MUCH TO SAY. Just glad to be here. What a day. A two hour trip that turned in to a 4 hour trip. My navigational skills (and Claire's) leave a lot to be desired.
When Jack called ahead to Monte Sano Park about vacancies they said, "Oh yell, we have numerous sites available. But DON'T, WHATEVER YOU DO COME UP THE BACK SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN." Well, we are from the flat lands of Warsaw, Indiana where you can see your neighbors' yard 3 counties over. What do we know about the back side of a mountain? And obviously, Claire, our GPS doesn't know her way around a mountain either. And I am still blaming Jack for this one....he called Claire every bad name I've ever heard and some I haven't. I kept telling him NOT TO CUSS AT HER.....Well, revenge was hers today. She took us up the back side of a narrow two lane snowy, icy mountain. Jack's knuckles were white as we started sliding slightly towards the cliff of the mountain. I just prayed. And wondered how long it would take them to find our cold, frozen mangled bodies. I was afraid to move, to breathe, to say a word.
Finally, with God's will, we made it to check in. While checking in I explained to the ranger and the check in gal about how, in error, we came up the back way of the mountain. The ranger, rather startled, said to me, "My gosh, they just opened that road yesterday." " You think," I said to myself," that oh I don't know, perhaps they could have put a sign at the bottom of the mountain? Or just maybe they could have plowed it so outsiders with a psychotic GPS like we have would have known not to attempt the drive up an extremely treacherous mountain? Call me crazy.
As I was leaving the check in office an employee outside, who had heard the conversation, said to me, "I'll bet you're ready for a drink. I'd go set up and have a couple if I were you. Do you have anything? " I looked at her and studied her face for a moment. Was she serious? Was she testing me? Most state parks forbid any type of liquor so I didn't want to get kicked out and God forbid have to go down that mountain again. "I don't know how to answer that," I countered, "if I say yes, will you kick us out?" "Oh hell no," she cheerfully came back, "I was going to run home and get you something cause I sure as heck would need a drink after that trip." Cool. I liked that woman immediately. "Thanks so much. I really do appreciate your offer," I answered," but we do have a liquor cabinet well stocked. And trust me, we'll be using it tonight."
Very nice people here. Well kept park, nice big spots. Really tall trees. Still a little cold but we'll be here for awhile so I'm hoping it warms up so we can do some hiking and perhaps some bike riding.
A journal written about life, retirement and our journey throughout the United States in a 5th wheel, along with our two Shih Tzus, Tanner and Syndey. Written not for notoriety but for our sons, family and friends, so they know where we are at any given time. And particularly for ourselves. Finally, we get to slow down and smell the roses and we don't want to forget any of it. You are welcome to join us as we go 'Down the Road a Piece'.
