An Adventure in the Sand

So, it is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Looking at this one, you could surmise what happened here. The story, of course, is really quite intriguing.

It’s been one hell of a month. I had two shifts that put me over my 24-hour duty time (became 31 hrs, in fact), got my purse stolen (why is it that when you have your ID with you at all times, no one asks for it, but the minute you lose it, everyone wants to make sure of your identity? That’s another story), had a very important certification exam that I did not study for (yes, my fault. What was I thinking?!?!?) . . . and other factors that has made life a bit overwhelming. Hmmm . . . does that happen to anyone else? I’m not talking about life has lost its meaning, or its color, or any of those depressing thoughts. Just simply that life seems to compress one into a small box and you just want to break out and, well, feel some space. Life has many challenges and demands and we get so mired into meeting them that we get lost in the details. This sometimes causes us to want to pull our hair out and say things like, “what the f*k?”

So, in order to see the bigger picture, organize one’s thoughts, recoup from the stress, and get back to a sane state (where people actually enjoy one’s company), one has to step back and run away for a little while. Go for a sabbatical and recharge. Okay, I’m talking about me. Once in awhile, I find it necessary to disappear for a few days and be somewhere far away from my everyday life.

Alright!!!! I’m getting back to the picture!!!

This is what happened. I was out for an adventure. It’s that much needed fresh air and something different from everyday life thing. It was around noon and it was too late to go hiking by this time, so I saw an endorsement for Pyramid Lake. Why not? It is a two-hour drive to get there, but I’ve always liked driving. I pop in my audiobook and I am lost in the world of fiction, someone else’s world, someone else’s thoughts, someone else’s misadventures.

I arrive at Pyramid Lake, awed by the blue shimmer of the water. In the middle of the desolate desert sits this enormous, beautiful lake. I walk out to the beach and feel the chilly air rustle my hair. I welcome the goosebumps that rise on my arms. I drink in the fresh smell of the cold air. My shoes are covered in sand now. The sand feels good in my palm and so I play with it for a little while, watching as it slowly runs out between my fingers.

I drive a little ways beside the lake and an idea struck me!!!! What an excellent picture it would make if I could get my truck out by the water . . . hmmm . . . that would be a very good picture. I love having pictures of my truck in places I have been. And so, here we go. Needless to say, it was an excellent idea while it lasted. The sand was softer than I thought and, well, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Hah! Foolish me, I thought I could dig the thing out. Yeah! There was nothing around except some small rock and a broken baby seat. What was I supposed to do with that? Besides, the truck was so buried, I needed a tow truck. I knew that! But, of course, I still tried to dig it out. It wasn’t so much to be successful, I don’t think, but just to see what I could do. It was hopeless, of course, but there you are. I finally resigned to what I knew I had to do anyway. It was going to be dark in a couple of hours, I had to get going.

Two men came by in their big truck. Yes, it did cross my mind that being me in the middle of nowhere (remember, it is desert all around and no cell service), it was a very bad situation. How do I get myself in these things? The men couldn’t do anything. They weren’t going to give me a ride to town (it was a few miles away). They were just there to fish. Alright! I trekked to the road. I prepared myself to sit there for a while. It was a highway in the middle of BFE.

Lucky for me, though, three men in their SUV stopped and offered to give me a ride to town. All I could think of at the point was, thank God I’m not fat, because their truck was so crammed with sporting stuff that the guy in the backseat barely had enough room for himself. I think he had a fishing pole almost stick him in the eye when he tried to give me room. By the time we got to town, my legs were numb from being squooshed against the door, but why should I complain? The guy next to me almost lost an eye.

In town, we found a ranger station. They were very helpful and were able to find a local person who can help me. Damn Triple A wasn’t going to cover the tow. It’s because it’s off road, they said. And they were going to send someone from some town 45 minutes away and it would probably take them two hours to get to me. I thought, this adventure is going to cost me at least $200. Great!

Lucky me again! The policeman at the ranger station was able to get in touch with the local guy and he was coming to pick me up. To make things interesting, the policeman said I could wait at some local bar/restaurant. That’s usually where they pick people up. Hey! No problem!!! So, the nice policeman dropped me off and . . . wow!!!! He carried a very big gun . . . I digress . . . Before driving away, he warned me that someone inside will probably hit on me as soon as I walk in. Uhm, well, what else is there to do in this town? If I lived here and I sat at the bar at 3 pm, I’d probably try to pick someone up, too. Anyway, I just stood outside and waited for the tow guy.

5 minutes later, an old Indian guy pulled up. Sheepishly, I said, “so, I’m sure you do this all the time because of stupid tourists like me?” It made him laugh. He was in an old truck. I don’t know why, but I loved the dank smell of it. I love old trucks. Reminds me of the Mountain Provinces and the rutted dirt roads. . . hmmmm . . . a little nostalgia.

And so, there he is. Poor truck! I’ve abused it so much!

All’s well that ends well. I got back to my hotel, showered, and passed out for the night. Getting rested for the next day’s adventure.