Crazy Boys, GrandLoveGifting, Supper

Tho this picture was taken over 5 years ago, when my nephew came home from his 2nd tour at Iraq, these two fellas, my Andy and Cher's Nate, always manage to keep me in stitches and wondering just 'what' are they up to now.

This past weekend was no different. They had planned to ' take a hike ' to unknown territory, to find new hunting ground for this coming fall.

They each carried over 40 lb. packs on their backs, including their survival arms, a couple of 45's, just in case. The woods can offer supper in a pinch. One never ' plans ' on getting lost and having to spend a night or two in our cold country, this time of the year.

Their packs also carried extra socks, gloves, change of clothes and warmer boots, as they started out in cross-country ski shoes and wool socks. They also carry a GPS, extra felt packs, matches, a flint, a lighter, in case the matches get wet, survival blankets, cell phones and their snowshoes. To stay hydrated for their day hike, they had each a 2 liter bottle of water and trailmix with nuts, berries and yogurt chips.

As it turned out, they were only a 1/4 mile into their hike when they decided to ditch the skis and pick them up on the way back out.

That didn't happen.

They left at 10 a.m. and at 3 p.m., we get a call that they were sitting on the island they were looking for, having a snack and mapping their continued hike. They did not think it would have taken as long to get to their destination, mark it on the GPS, and get back before dark.

New plan. They said they would head south and west to the shooting range out east of us, and should be out of the woods about half an hour before dark. Could we pick them up and drive them back to the truck? They were excited to find the island and see all the deer sign, but also a lot of wolf sign, definitely a pack and not a straggler or two.

Another call about 4 p.m. this time from his cousin's phone as his battery was dead, telling me not to worry, but they changed direction again, having found a closer road to where the truck was parked. That was where we were to pick them up and drive them to where they parked, as their legs were jello from crawling through so much brush and blow-down. They said they felt like a rabbit on the run from a hungry fox, tired and wanting to stop.

It worked out fine. They were out of the woods a half hour before dark, calculating on the Geographic Positioning System, that they had walked and crawled over 5 miles. They were grateful they didn't have to walk that last mile.

Quite the adventure, well, except for one thing. The skis they poked into the snow were still in the woods, waiting for their back-track return, to pick them up.

Nate had to head back home, so Andy said that he would get them out of the woods the next day. Being they were both exhausted, and that it was such a remote area where, no one, in their right mind, would tread this time of the year, the ski 'pick-up ' waited until the next day.

Since Andy borrowed a pair of snowshoes from Nate, he picked up mine at the cabin, taking our truck this time. Probably not a good idea, since it was just about out of gas and he was headed the other direction from town. It was only about 6 miles down the road from where he would park and walk in to get the skis, so it should not be an issue.

As the picture goes, young, energetic man in his late 20's, but still aching and tired from the ' hike ' the day before, Dad's truck, new tires, " Why not." He decides to drive into the gravel pit road, never plowed all winter, I might add, so he wouldn't have to walk quite so far to get those danged skis. You get the picture. Stuck. Stuck bad. He calls his brother for help who ' also ' thinks he can just drive in, pull out their Dad's truck and he would never have to find out about it.

Yes, you got it. Stuck. Now there are two 4-wheel drive trucks, stuck in the middle of no where, no way for a wrecker to reach them, so they are forced to make a decision. Call their uncle. Ok...

Uncle Eric decides to stop and get chains, come-alongs, rope, anything that might assist a couple of foolish boys out of the woods. Stac says, " Take a left, then the first right and just drive back here." Eric says, "Now, boys, WHY would I do that when the both of you already are stuck?"

They must have thought he wasn't going to show up so they called yet, another couple of guys. One of them has a bigger truck with bigger, wide tires, so they figured that would work.

Meanwhile, Dad is filled in on what's happening and I'm peeling him off the ceiling. He calmed down enough to decide to go with Eric, saying, "Well, let's go rescue the little sh...!" Needless to say, he was a little on the irate side. Thanks to my brother, he calmed him down enough that we didn't have to worry about another heart attack. Seriously!

The friends had Stacy's truck out by time they got there, and Dad's Big Blue Dodge, came out shortly after. As soon as they got back, I checked to see that all the guys were in tact while Bill checked on his beloved truck...

And the family wonders why I turn my head the other way.

I stayed home and finished another girly thing for GrandLove Megan. I think she will like this cute little Trinket Bag and Fingerless Gloves.

I also moved the flower on Ryele's bag, to utilize the button as a closure with a loop. It works great.
Now, I have to go and check the Pork Hocks...I can smell they are going to go just fine with a little Pork Gravy, Fresh Chunky Apple Sauce, and Brussel Sprouts with Almonds. Sounds good enough to me.
For dessert, another slice of this delicious Apple, Black Cherry Crisp with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream....Yum, Yum!
Thanks for stopping by and

BlessYourHearts