Walkie Talkie Queen

We have created a monster!

But I'll regress a bit. Our Thursday was spent driving from Mystic, CT to Augusta, Maine. Traveling right along, making good time, planning to stop at the Sam's Club/Wal Mart at Exit 1 in New Hampshire. Hunter & I had been anticipating a 'rest area' for a good while (none to be had on I-495 in Massachusetts) and the bumpy bridges were not helping. We thought we could make it to the Sam's Club, but when we crossed in to New Hampshire, I insisted that we stop. Much relieved, we crawled back in the truck and proceeded half a mile - to the next exit! Roger just shook his head.

Found the Sam's Club, did our shopping, and I suggested that we have a 'lunch break' at the Sam's snack bar. Roger was not the least bit enthusiastic about that and suggested we wait until we get to WalMart, for they always have a McDonalds or Subway. Hunter agreed with Grandpa.

As we were loading the groceries into the trailer, Hunter caught & scraped her finger between a case of water and the slideout. Not bad, but it brought a bit of blood. I took her to the truck to look for a bandaid. Trying to distract her, I said, "I bet you a quarter that Grandpa will look at that and say I've had worse in my eye"! She laughed, and ran back to show Grandpa. He looked at it and promptly said "I've had worse on my lip and never stopped whistling Dixie!" I lost my quarter.

Loaded up and pulled out of Sam's thinking that a WalMart was just nearby. Roger and I were getting just a bit frustrated when we couldn't find it, made a U-turn, and Hunter pipes up, "I'll bet you a quarter that there isn't one here!" Stopped and asked, and sure enough - not a WalMart around. Lost my quarter.

Headed on north and got 'caught' in the lines trying to get through the toll gate in New Hampshire. Roger was being the example of patience and had let a semi and 2-3 cars in when this big roofing truck come roaring up and begin to edge in. He didn't want to wait in line - like Roger had been doing. Roger was determined he wasn't coming in - and he was. He came inches from taking off our mirror. I truly believe he would have swiped us if Roger hadn't backed off. We saw several near accidents in the other lanes of examples of similar behavior. While Roger is leaning on his horn, I'm telling him what a 'great' example he is setting for Hunter. That set the mood for the rest of the day. Got through the toll gate and with Sylvia's help, we found a Wal Mart.

And wouldn't you know! Here we are, three hungry travelers ready for some lunch - and, guess what! The WalMart had a Dunkin Donuts! All we needed at that point was to have a 9-year-old loaded with corn & sugar in the back seat with another hour or so to drive. I nixed that in a hurry! And not another fast food place in sight.

Now comes the creation of the monster! Hunter had overheard me talking about a campground owner that would often keep their grandkids during the summer - and equip them with a walkie-talkie so they could keep up with them. So her 'mission' was to find her some walkie-talkies. While I shopped for the groceries we couldn't get at Sam's, her & Grandpa went in search. The first thing he discovered is they are not cheap! But Hunter was determined, so we wished her an early "Happy Birthday" - and bought them for her.

So, with a basket full of goodies we head to check out. Well, I headed to the bathroom and Roger & Hunter found a checkout lane. This HUGE WalMart Super Center - and a total of 3 check out lines open - 2 'express' and the cigarette lane. I started to unload the basket at the one Roger had picked and the cashier informs me it's a "20 items or less". I replied, "You're the only one open! If you want to open another line, we'll gladly go there." He shrugged his shoulders and said "Fine!" I kept unloading. So then the 'sweet' lady behind us starts making loud and rude comments. I kindly ignored her. I was tired, hungry - and just wanted to get out of there. If I had thought a bit quicker, I would have said: "Well, there's 3 of us and we have 60 or less items, so now we can do this quickly - or we can pay in three separate orders! Which do you want?"

Of course, the minute we get to the truck, Hunter wants to start using her new walkie-talkies! She kept on till she finally got it out of the package - and then began having a conversation - with herself between the two units. Grandpa finally convinced her to let them 'charge' so they would be ready for the campground.

Needless to say, by the time we reached the campground, my head was pounding and I was not chalking this up to a 'good' day! Got settled in - and off to the pool (even though it was a very cold 61 degrees! Which is what I needed as it gave me a chance to 'collect' my wits. Hunter & Grandpa had decided it was a hot dog roast for supper and so we divided up the 'chores' and had us a campfire. Hunter carried the stuff outside, Grandpa started the fire - and roasted the weiners (with Hunter's help) and I cooked the chili & beans. Don't think I've ever tasted a better hotdog! It had been one long day since our pancakes that morning.

And now we know where Hunter is - just about every minute - thanks to the handy-dandy walkie talkies! We got a blow-by-blow account of her trip to take the trash to the dumpster, a call to Grandpa to come get her bike out of the truck (instead of opening the trailer door), etc. You get the picture.

Our day ended sharing a fresh homemade Key Lime pie with the owners here in Augusta. It's folks like them that keep us trucking along. It's off to Bar Harbor on Friday.