And The day Sped By

They had all decided the easier the better when it came to eats, so lunchmeat was what they got. The old man at the store said the delivery truck had just left and the lunchmeats and cheeses were about as fresh as it gets so that made the sandwich idea sound very appealing. They picked up a bag of chips, piminto cheese spread for Judy, and a couple cans of mixed fruit as well. That, they all agreed, was a dandy spread for a camp lunch. Surprised to find it in an old store, Doris grabbed a jar of Nestea and a bag of sugar. Kim added that Doris made tea exactly like her mom made it years ago; strong and sweet! They almost forgot about supper fixins'. Shauna suggested spaghetti . The old man was stocked up with all the ingredients needed except the spaghetti so they bought Inn Maid noodles instead. They told the old man goodbye, thanks, have a nice day and headed back to the cabin with food in tow. Hopefully, they would go into the right cabin this time! Shauna was curious how their key had fit in the "other cabin's" door lock. Kim thought that maybe the other door hadn't been locked at all and that when Judy "unlocked" it, it just felt as if she had turned then key and unlocked it (she was grasping for an explanation!)Doris wasn't the least bit concerned about the whole wrong cabin, door mat, geranium ordeal. She just wanted lunch, (complete with her tea!) and to get on with the daily activities. Shauna was all for that. She had brought a few supplies to let the other three make a candle or two. It was clouding up a bit anyway so candle making would keep them all busy for a while and maybe by then it would be sunny again.
As they ate their sandwiches, Ranger Rick came to the door with news of the prisoner. Apparently, that very morning, he had stowed away on the Oscar Mayer truck as the man made his delivery and got caught when he jumped off in the next town. They all exhaled a breath of relief, thanked Rick for stopping by and finished their lunches while discussing what brave deeds they would have done had they come across the escapee. The idea of a midnight canoe trip came up again and Judy thought that it was probably going to rain and they had better stay in tonight but the rest just grinned and gave each other a group "high-five".
They enjoyed the candle making and laughed while they hit all the topics of the camp happenings that they had experienced so far. It had turned out to be an exciting week so far and the midnight canoe trip was just 10 hours away!!!!...............

A Simple Mistake

Just as we got to the Stop sign, Doris, who had apparently been thinking about the cabin, said, "Would you run back past the cabin for a minute, Judy?" "Sure thing, did you forget something or just wanna check under the beds yourself?" "Just happened to think of something," responded Doris. Judy did a u-turn and headed back. Just as we approached the parking area Doris began to chuckle and then erupted into a full blown gale force eruption of laughter. "What's so funny," Kim asked, starting to chuckle herself while Judy and Shaua just looked bewildered. "Well," explained Doris, "it occurred to me that all these cabins look the same and I also remembered when I got here the screen door opened to the left, but when we came back from our walk Kim was opening the door to the right while Judy was searching for her key." "YOU'RE RIGHT!" spoke up Shuana, " Which means....WE WERE GOING IN THE WRONG CABIN!!! So the geranium and the welcome mat weren't moved!!" Doris nodded her head in agreement bringing gales of laughter from all 4 women. Judy was wiping tears from her cheeks and Kim was trying to catch her breath. Feeling much relieved Judy turned around and headed back to the store. "You still want to stop at the Ranger Station?" she asked. No, they decided there wasn't any reason to bother Ranger Rick or to let him know that we had gotten all *besited* over turned around things that we didn't really know were turned around. No reason at all to let him on the secret that we had been going to do a little b&e'ing (as Barney Fiffe would say about a breaking and entering...)! Feeling much better, the ladies discussed just what supplies they would need as they continued to the little grocery store.

A Brand New Day

Everyones eyes flew wide open with the rapping on the door. Heads swiveling around looking at one another as if to say "who is that?" but no one said a word. Doris got up grabbed the fireplace poker and looked back at the girls making a come on motion with her head for the girls to follow. Eyes as big as 50 cent pieces were what she was seeing. Shauna got out of bed and grabbed the fireplace shovel, lined up behind Doris and then followed Kim and Judy, one with a shoe the other with a pillow. They moved as a herd of sheep to the door, one big clump of womanly courage. Another rap on the door and Doris dropped her voice and yells in her best mans voice " WHO IS IT!" "Ranger Rick!" was the reply. With HUGE sighs of relief the door was opened. He was there to check on us on his rounds making sure we made it through the night ok. He said the escapee was still on the loose but they thought he had probably moved out of the area but to still be aware of our surroundings and to not leave the cabin or vehicles unlocked. After he left we decided to make some breakfast and a big breakfast it was too. We had worked up quite an appetite after last nights excitement so we whipped up some blueberry muffins. scrambled eggs with onions, green peppers, and mushrooms, and bacon. That ought to hold us until lunch said Judy. Around the breakfast table plans for the day were talked about and all agreed a walk to the lake would be good. Judy was a little apprehensive since she is not a water lover but we assured her we were there just to look no entering of the water was on the agenda. After all got a shower and got dressed we headed out the door and found the path to the lake. Walking along, hearing the birds in the trees, the squirrels chattering their warnings and the sun peering through the trees was awesome. Kim and Judy came with their camera's and got pictures of a gray cat bird, a red squirrel, some beautiful pink flowered woodland plants none of us were sure what they were. It was so nice walking just listening to nature. No one felt they had to keep chatting we just listened and followed the trail. As we got closer the trail rose to an incline and of course what goes up must come down so we all like a bunch of kids ran down the hill to the lake. What fun! Once down the hill we all gasped and aaahhed at the beauty of the lake. There was still a slight fog on top of the water that the sun had not burned off yet and we could see a male and female wood duck floating along and a family of loons! A momma with 3 ducklings on her back and the father close behind. As we walked out on the dock to get a better view we could hear the frogs leap into the water from the shore with their little EEP sound they make and saw a turtle sunning itself on a log. There is a trail that winds around the lake and gradually takes you back up to the main trails. It is a nice way to get to see the lake from all the different angles and Judy and Kim got some breath taking shots. As we wound our way around the lake chatting about it's beauty and all the things we wanted to do while staying here at our retreat, there was talk of a midnight canoe ride later if we all felt brave enough to do so. We decided a trip to the local store was in order if we planned on having any lunch or dinner so we made our way back to the cabin to form a list of needs and wants. We arrived at the cabin and as Judy was getting the keys ready for the door Kim said " somethings different". Doris asked what it was and Kim was not able to put her finger on it but said she knew something was different. She continued to look around as did every one else to see if they could see anything different but could not come up with anything right off. On in they went and formulated the list. Now feeling a little creeped out again they all decide to go to the store to stay together. On the porch with Judy locking the door Kim gave out an "AHA that's it!" "the potted geranium is on the other side of the post than what it was." We all stared at the plant like it was going to tell us who had moved it and then Judy says "yes and the welcome mat has been turned around, the welcome was facing out and is not towards the door." We all ran to Judy's pilot, piled in locked the doors and headed to the Rangers Station on our way to the store.

Morning Came!!

After having Ranger Rick escort us back to the cabin and check out the closet, the shower, under the beds and a quick scan of the lanai(back screened in porch. Most likely mis-spelled), he bid us goodnight and reminded us to be safe and he'd be checking on our cabin through the night. We hated to see him go and wished he could protect us personally all night but we knew he had other campers to tend. The second that he stepped out the door, we had the door locked, the chain hooked and the kitchen table slid in front of it. We quickly readied ourselves for bed but double checked the windows and doors for good measure before finally settling in. Judy was a bit leery about sleeping out on the couch all alone and Kim agreed that it wouldn't be safe, so even though Shauna and Doris were certain that we were totally safe, they relented and we all slept in one bedroom. It was not the most comfortable situation but no one needed to know what sissies we were and just in case the convict came around, we would have strength in numbers!
Shauna was the first to fall asleep. We knew this because she quit answering Kim's never ending "Did you hear that?" "What was that?" questions. Doris, being a night owl of sorts, volunteered to be on guard duty for a while, promising to wake us if anything happened. She found the movie "From Here To Eternity", turned the volume down low and told us to relax and go to sleep. Judy said she'd do her part by lying in front of the bedroom door on her trusty sleeping bag. If the bad man wanted in, he was going to have to push all 115 lbs of her out of the way first!!
Shauna was mumbling something in her sleep and chuckled. It was amazing that she fell asleep so fast and that she was dreaming of something happy, especially after our scary evening! Gee, to be so brave and relaxed! Kim finally drifted off and started snoring, Judy's breathing got long and rhythmic as she fell into a deep slumber and Doris' eyes grew heavier by the minute just listening to all the sleep sounds. It wasn't long before her head nodded and she too gave into a much needed rest.
They were all awaken by a loud rapping on the front door! It was morning already! They made it through the night!! But who was knocking at the door this early in the morning?

The midnight walk's not over!

As we headed straight away to the safe confines of our cozy cabin with Judy tucked away between Shauna and Doris, we were relieved to see the faint light of our cabin's lamp glowing on the dewy ground. Almost to safety and we avoided the wrath of the skunks! Just as we were relaxing a bit at the sight of our temporary "home sweet home" we heard a mans voice and at the same time Doris felt a hand on her shoulder. With the reflexes of a cat, she quickly turned and without time to think took the pointy toe of her cowboy boot and gave an upward thrust to the "murderers" (well, he could be a murderer!) middle section knocking him to his knees! Not being one to neglect a friend in need, Shauna sensed his vulnerability and body slammed him to the ground for good measure! Judy, clinging to Kim's sweatshirt and her forehead flashlight pointing into the tree branches above, cheered the two brave women on while Kim, with Judy at her back found a trusty stick and gave the assailant a few good pokes from a safe distance. Still reeling from all the excitement and squealing with nervous fear, we were all wondering what had just happened. Judy calmed down enough to straighten her headlight and that's when we discovered that our "murderer"(well, he COULD have been a murderer!!) was actually our loyal camping friend, Ranger Rick! He heard us heading up the trail and wanted to alert us of an escaped convict who had just made a jailbreak around 3:00 that afternoon. As we helped him to his feet Doris sort of apologized but did tell him it's not wise to sneak up on a bunch of brave, strong women. In the dark no less. Shauna helped him brush off the wet leaves and debris from his uniform as a peace offering for the body slam, however noted that he DID deserve it considering his approach of choice. He agreed that it was his fault and he was sorry but still needed to fill us in on the convict. He was last seen heading into the woods of the park and would probably stay in the woods for a while and may be "observing" campers from afar to see if he could use them for his get-away. He warned us to be extra careful, lock our cabin door and he would be patroling our area every hour so don't worry and get a good nights sleep. Yeah, like THAT was going to happen now....

Evening prominade

Judy KNEW this was gonna happen so she came prepared. Wearing one of those elasticized lights that goes around your head and sits on your forehead like a 3rd eye and toting a large railroad type lantern in one hand and the biggest cop flashlight she could carry in the other. "I'm ready" she said reluctantly. We all 3 turned and looked at her and busted out laughing! "What?" she said which made us laugh even harder! You don't have to go Kim told her but Judy decided there was safety in numbers so off we went. We headed around the back of the cabin where there is a path that goes through the woods and leads to other trails and if you take the right one the path will loop back around to the cabin. We decided that the loop path was the one for us tonight since it was shorter and we had all had quite a day getting settled in. Doris led us down the path and we kept Judy in the middle for her comfort zone. Kim and I were just chatting away when we heard SHHHHHHH from the front of the pack and Doris and Judy had come to a halt. We stopped and listened but heard nothing but crickets and frogs. What did you hear Kim whispered? Not sure but I heard something rustling along the right side of us said Doris. Doris, Kim and I turned our small little flashlights in that general direction and Judy had her3rd eye light on but we saw nothing. Judy said wait a minute and she cranked up her lantern and big ol flashlight and there we saw a family of skunks making their way through the woods, a momma and 2 babies. Uh huh make fun of my lights will ya! Judy said. We quickly shut off Judy's beacons and swiftly made our way on down the path. Not much happening on this path tonight so we headed on back to the cabin. Tomorrow we hope to make it down to the lake and maybe see the loons. No not us, the birds lol

Evening

It took us awhile to get settled in the cabin. Seems like we always carry enough stuff in to last us at least 2 months. For a 3 day week end. But one never knows when one may get a freak April snowstorm stranding us in the cabin for an extra day!! It helps to know we now have two ways to reach the cabin, though. Glad Shauna thought to stop at the little store and ask.
The tea kettle was simmering on a back burner so Kim and Judy had a cup of Jasmine Tea. It smelled as good as it tasted. Then we got out the card table and a jigsaw puzzle was unceremoniously dumped out and the empty box hidden under Doris' bed. She is the warden of the box, not allowing he rest of us even a teensy, tiny 3 second peek. Our best time to date is a 1000 piece, "NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS", completed in just under 5 hours. We were hustling on that one. This puzzle, "Polar Bears in a Blizzard", might just prove to be our downfall. But, I doubt it. We don't back down from many challenges, always encouraging and/or teasingly goading each other. After completion, some of the puzzles have been glued together, framed and given to those we think might enjoy them. Others are returned to the box and dropped at a Goodwill Store. We had just gotten all the pieces flipped over when Shauna pushed back her chair and wandered toward the door. Judy knew what was coming. "So, who's up for a midnight promenade?" Shauna asked. "I'm in," came from Doris who was already headed toward the door. Kim's face, too, lit up. "Let me hit the bathroom and get rid of this tea and I AM READY," she said. Judy, who they all knew was not a friend of the night, seemed to be deciding whether it would be better to be in the dark with the other 3 or left all alone in the empty cabin. "Do we have to go right now? Don't you wan't to work on this fine puzzle?" she asked.