....And He Walked Away....Unscathed!

Good morning campers!
Yes, it's rainy.  Got the ever annoying rooster tail of water spray up my backside from the ride in this morning, not to mention a disgruntled sixteen year old bemoaning the necessity of getting up at 8.30 this morn, but I can't help but have a smile on my face!  Why, you may ask?  Well, I'll tell ya!  I am not one prone to fits of sentimentality, but last night I allowed myself the rare dalliance of relaxation!  Yes, most nights I do little more then plop on the couch and "watch TV" myself to sleep but that's not "REALLY" relaxing.  The mind, ever churning, continues to run a mental picture show of the woes and worries of modern day life.  All the petty nuisances of responsibilities, stresses of bills and realization of everything that DIDN'T get done ever present.  Last night, after shower and dinner we sat to have a cup of coffee in the media room while we awaited "Family Movie Night".  Miranda is still to young to sit through an entire film while allowing the others in attendance to actually WATCH  so we allow her the opportunity to run amok and burn of dinner before putting her down for bed.  It was during this time, as Angi was updating Facebook, her MP3 plugged into the sound system and a medley of eclectic music played, that I began absent mindedly watching the children play as I once again slipped into my nightly ritual of accessing the day.  Then a curious thing happened.  My mind was far away in the magical land of WorryWorld, replaying the events of the day, wondering where I could have done better but my eyes were preoccupied with the events unfolding around them.  Very soon, my mind, that had been deep in pensive debate with a variety of voices both old and new started to pause and falter.  Slowly they became aware of something all together different going on outside the windows of their cramped office.  In no time the debate had ceased and all those worries quieted.
And I smiled.
Fully engrossed I watched as Izzy, Rozy, Miranda, Logan and Owen played.  Just played.  All smiles and laughs they frolicked about the sectional in the front room.  Not a care or a worry.  No fighting or bickering just lost in the sure, childish joy of just BEING!  It was then the realization hit me.  It's through the efforts of Angela and myself that that unencumbered freedom to just BE kids is possible.  Not only did we create these wonderful little lives, but we keep them safe, secure fed and happy.  I hate to sound overly emotional but I couldn't help but stifle back on tears for that all to rare epiphany.  And it is that feeling of contentment that joyously lingered on into this morning.
Let's slip into nostalgia!
Any of you following the blog may have caught the conversation Uncle Chippee and I have been having of late regarding the hidden wonders of Florida.  The "Road Less Traveled" as it were.  In one of his latest entries he commented on taking the time to explore unmarked and/or previously unnoticed areas.  And it got me thinking, or rather reminiscing.  That sense of exploration and discovery was, thankfully, a big part of my youth.  Having grown up in the then unexploited wilderness of Brentwood, New Hampshire I spent many a day either on foot or on bicycle trailblazing hidden patches of wooded areas.  That was back when a kid COULD do things like that! I had the good fortune of discovering several hidden areas and treasures abounded!  At one point, deep in the back woods behind our family farm, lay a giddy Wonderland of a long forgotten automobiles!  I'm talking early 20th century relics!  It was that sense of exploration that lingered on into my impetuous teen years, much to the chagrin of my poor, suffering mother.  One such event sprang to memory when thoughts of trailblazing came to the fore. 
I had a long history (since acquiring my first car when I was twelve)  of owning and operating vehicles of a less then quality stature!  One such vehicle, purchased for $75.00 from a friend, (epitomizing "bad choice"!) was a 1971 Ford Pinto.  She was painted a lovely faded red, with one yellow, and one orange front fender.  The right head light was never secure, and would bobble about in it's housing making  it useful as a spotlight in order to view the far right side of the road at night. On particularly bumpy roads it would flicker on and off, giving the impression it was winking at someone.  It would rarely start without the aid of a good hill, a running start and a skilled pop of the clutch.  In the oft chance you knew you'd have to park on level ground, you were best to bring a couple able bodied friends along to help push start it.  It never actually got registered or inspected (as 1: I couldn't afford it and 2; it would have never PASSED inspection) but that was OK, as I only had it for about three weeks before it died in a glorious shower of steam, sparks and blue smoke! But that's a story for another day! 
No, today is about "exploration".
In one rare moment when I actually dared to take her out during the day, I was driving the back roads through town to a friends house, cautiously avoiding any potential nooks that the local constabulary may be perched. Along the way I noticed a small dirt road headed west into the woods that I'd never noticed before.  Having the time to sight see while driving the old Pinto was made easier by the fact that it took a few minuets and all four gears to get her up to her top cruising speed of a breakneck 40 MPH.  Having no where I needed to be quickly, I decided to take a detour and see where this little tree enshrouded mystery trail led.  Much to my joy a scant dozen yards in the trail opened up into a relatively level dirt path that wound around and about the densely packed woods.  Ever increasing my speed and employing daredevil driving skill I careened the complacent carriage in and out of the trees and occasional underbrush until ahead of me the trail straightened out and headed toward  a light patch of high brush and small trunked trees.  Just beyond  I could see there was an open clearing.  Abandoning all fear and common sense I gunned the little four cylinder for all she was worth and hurtled down the path toward the brush!  Ever closer, with the heightening surge of excitement I burst through in a triumphant, Dukes of Hazzard inspired "YEE-HAW!".....
Smack dab into a "Phillips Exeter Academy" Ceremony!
OH what mayhem!
To be in the middle of a solemn award ceremony, all in attendance sharply dressed, neat rows of smartly attentive students, surrounded by proud parents and stoic alumni, then suddenly bursting into a frantic whirlwind of movement?  (ahem...I shouldn't laugh)   Panicked wealthy middle aged mothers clutching their young children, frantic fathers stepping before them!  Upright and proper teachers and administrators running away higgly piggly as a beat up offshoot of American Motoring Mistakes burst through their festivities?
PRICELESS! 
Oh sure, now as a more mature and law abiding citizens I can see just how horrible that must have been!
*snicker*
But at the time!
 BWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! 
My little chariot, right headlamp winking at them, was filled with a sense of gumption I'd not thought possible!   Perhaps sensing it's impending impounding it did the unthinkable!   A scant few yards away from the buffet tent, as I masterfully cut the wheel and hit the gas, it performed an almost effortlessly smooth fish tail, aided by the slick wet grass and threw out a spray of turf and mud, it's trajectory and momentum culminating in a perfect donut!  Having performed a perfect 360, I was now aimed in the proper direction to evade capture and execute a flawless escape.  Assisted in part by not having ever registered the little beater, NO LICENCE PLATE!  SO with a victorious "YEE HAW!" I exited from whence I came.  The whole way back ever diligent to the possibility of pursuit!
Oh, yes folks.  This is why I can't get TO upset over some of my teenagers antics!
ANYWAYS!
Yesterday was another hoot an a holler!  Many, many more folks coming into get ready for the new season!  Thanks to all for your repairs and your trust!  Sold the Raleigh MTB lickety split!  KNEW that one wouldn't last!  And I really like that it went to one of our regulars!  This will mark his third bike with us!  Also, the ladies cruiser we put out on Thursday night didn't last the morning before she went home to a good family!  Put out a sweet, slightly modified Schwinn Ranger (pic below) with an adjustable quill, raised handlebars and bar ends to give her a good "hybrid" feel!  Thanks to our buddy Bullet at "Hands On Bicycles" for some donations of the abandoned!  Got some good parts bikes in as well! 
Alright, best get back at it!  Got even more goodies to work through as we speak!
SEE YA!!

26" Schwinn Ranger!
ONLY $90.00!!!