Driving Miss. Connie

So... that first blog is over... now emerges the pressure to provide/perform.

Despite unusually delightful weekend temperatures this second weekend of January 2013 (into the low 70's), my residual waning viremia and, more importantly, the pressing need to return one's mother-in-law to her rightful domicile, regrettably interfered with my best attempts to escape to the 'great outdoors.' 

You can't say I didn't try: my woeful look as I gently caressed my topographic maps - stroking them tenderly with a highlighter noting my 'intended' trek - while I sipped my Saturday morning coffee - deserved an Oscar.  It simply was not to be...

On Saturday, after a late start, I starred in a re-make of the 1989 classic hit - the new version: "Driving Miss Connie."  This time, playing Morgan Friedman's role, I drove my mother-in-law, Miss Connie, back to Martinsville after her prolonged post-New Year's hiatus to the Tarheel State.  A funny thing: without saying a word, we all seemed to coincide in our mutual agreement that 'today is the day' to go home.

The only problem with this little realization was the fact that the big boys had promised to help Eli on his Eagle Scout project and attend a later homeschool - paramilitary - airsoft war (aka Isaac's birthday party).  Coleman's viral-induced hyperactivity disorder was peaking - compounded by the confounded decongestant - which certainly eliminated any five to six hour roundtrip drive to Martinsville for him... so... you guessed it, I uttered those fateful words that sealed my fate, "Honey, I suppose I could drive her home..." 

My sullen look as I tried to gulp down a slurp of coffee while stifling a sob was a dead giveaway to my wife that I've been studying the whole 'sanctification-thing' way too seriously!  She then came over and gave me one of those big long hugs - then whispered in my ear, 'you're a good man.'  With that, the nails were now pounded in the coffin of my previous hiking plans.

So... Saturday afternoon, instead of the flora and fauna of the Green River Game Lands, I enjoyed the trees and roadkills along the sides of I-40 and Startown Road as I drove Miss. Connie back home.  It was a delightful time - one I will cherish - I feel certain.  Once back in her apartment, I had the opportunity to meet her neighbor, "A.B" - an incredibly delightful 87 year old lady who sings in four different church choirs - a feat which must be awfully disconcerting on any given Sunday morning.  A.B. and Connie look out for oneanother, and, as grateful member of Connie's family, I was pleased to finally meet this soul about whom I had heard so much over the years.  After unloading Connie's paraphenalia, I pulled away as she stood on the edge of the parking lot - waving until I was out of sight.

With my 'good deed' accomplished (not to mention some wings now beginning to poke out of my scapulas), I was back on 'my' time!  Unbeknownst to my wife, while packing the car with all of Connie's goods, I also stealthily threw in a copy of a hiking guide which had mentioned Hanging Rock State Park in Stokes County IF I had the time... As I drove back into North Carolina, I took a right just after the state line, and headed off on an adventure!  I popped open my Diet Coke, rolled down my windows, and cranked up 'CNN' on my wife's new Sirius/XM radio.  Sorta a solo "Thelma and Louise" moment!

In a matter of minutes, my new 'lease on life' was driven to distraction by the fact that the roads of rural northeastern Stokes County are hilly, curvy, and poorly marked.  My plan of being a 'free spirit' and going 'off-the-beaten-path' using my phone as a GPS was unraveling.  It was so far from 'here' to 'there' that I needed to constantly zoom 'in' and 'out' on my phone to get any sense of where I was going.  'Driving is a lot harder than hiking', I remember thinking.  I even caught myself yelling at Dr. Sanjay Gupta!

In short order, however, I found myself in one of those beautiful little hamlets you only read about, the lovely town of Danbury, North Carolina.

I included this image to show two things: First, for those of you who may have never heard of Danbury, you can see that it is in fairly close proximity to those other two larger metropolitan areas (which you may be more familiar): King and Walnut Cove.  Second, as the map reflects, most roads in this area are along a general northwest/southeast axis.  I - on the other hand - was going from the extreme northeast side of this map to the extreme southwest side.  It gives you a taste of the challenge I was facing.

Nonetheless, Danbury was a sort of oasis for me.  It really was a beautiful little place.  It is the county seat of Stokes County, and, in 2011, it boasted a population of 188 - that's up from 187 from 2010.  They're certainly growing!

From here, the signage was clear - Hanging Rock State Park was close - so close, in fact, the shade of the mountain made it cool enough to roll up my windows.  The sun was going down and it was getting cool.  It became a race against the sunset to see if I could explore the State Park, get some bearings, or at least find someone who could tell me how best to go home...

Tune in next time for the exciting conclusion...