About a mile and a half up from Lone Pine is the first really really nasty climb. Probably 13% grade. That is really really steep. Climbing it yesterday, about two-thirds of the way up the worst part, James saw a four-wheel drive Range Rover type of vehicle pull past and stop about two tenths of a mile right on the crest of the hill on the shoulder. James was Furious. My God, I'm trudging up this hill and this clueless lady, I could tell it was a lady, is fussing in the back of her car, standing in back of the vehicle with the big gate open over her head. Lady, go change your child's diaper someplace else. Go arrange your suitcases somewhere else! It's necessary for me to stop when you could do this another 10th or two tenths of a mile ahead?
Traveling at a mile an hour, which happens on really steep grades, the lady was seen walking down the hill, and it soon became apparent she was walking toward the vehicle. She had a bag in her hands. She came alongside the vehicle. Don't stop! Apples and oranges. I stopped. Really there was no way to accept the bag without stopping and it was no longer the worst part of the climb. Bless your heart I said. She began walking quickly back towards her vehicle careful not to obstruct my path of travel. And then she turned on her heel and came back, you stopped, I'll give you a push. I laughed. Not necessary ma'am. Thank you so much.
First impressions and assumptions, alas, but then look what transpires, good to both you and her occurred.
ReplyDeleteTonight at Portagee Joe we have a small contingent of the "Messengers of Recovery" Motorcycle Club (recovering alcoholic Harley-Davidson riders). When they first rode (noisily) in we were a bit worried about drunken rowdiness and wrote down the Sheriff' phone number. Obviously our first impression was wrong. They will be riding up the Portal Road tomorrow (4/27) for some hiking. Perhaps you may encounter them.
Michael Connor
❤️
ReplyDelete