Sunburns and hangovers. I don't like them, but I seem to end up with them all the time. We had a great weekend up north, and I managed to avoid the latter, but not the former.
We went to our family cabin outside of Kalkaska for a fun weekend of fresh air, sunshine, good food and family bonding. We got all that and then some. The "kids", that being my family and my brothers family (pets included) came up Thursday night. We made a trip to the farmers market and got lots of great fresh Michigan fruits and veggies. Had a delish cookout and munched on fruit salad.
Saturday we took mom and dad to a place my brother and his wife knew of up the Manistee river. For $10 per person they drive you up river, give you a tube and send you floating down river back to the dock.
We packed our cooler with lunch and drinks and began our journey early in the afternoon. It was a fantastic relaxing ride through some beautiful scenery. Cool, but not too cold water that was over my head deep in some places, and only a few inches in others.
We drank, laughed, relaxed and had a blast. Half way back we stopped and pulled off to the side to eat our lunch. Shared some jokes with a group that was behind us, and shoved off again. The weather was gorgeous and I was soaking up the sun (more on that later).
I was feeling pretty good when we were about ten minutes from the dock, but we were now out of beer. Just then I heard what sounded like a walkie talkie radio off in the distance. We were now floating past a camp ground and I assumed it was some campers messing around on shore.
I shouted to our group that we should be careful as the cops were after us. This was met with much amusement and prompted another member of our group to yell something profane about law enforcement. The camper shouted back at us, furthering my suspicion that it was not actually a cop. I guess he was insulted. Then he yelled, "I will meet you at the dock with a ticket!".
Again, still feeling I was conversing with some random tourist, whom I had yet to physically lay eyes on, I shouted back, "Oh yeah? Well, bring some beer, cause we're out!". Thats when I noticed my mothers face go white and the rest of the group got all quiet. They all had just saw what I was not able to spot. A Kalkaska County Sheriff standing just off the bank of the river, red faced and mad as ever.
Sure enough, when we pulled up he was waiting for us. He motioned to my brother to step to the vehicle, and we all prepared to go bail him out of jail. The cop was hot, and he was right in his face, pointing his finger. We stood by and listened as he gave lectures on the virtues of respect and orderly conduct, especially when addressing an officer of the law.
Now I admit, what we said was stupid in retrospect, but we meant no harm. We were just excited and having a good time. We got a little cocky sure, but nothing I felt to really get us in trouble. Nothing to warrant the way this guy handled us.
The finger in the face was an intimidation move, I don't like it, but I get it. He was clearly trying to provoke my brother. When that didn't work, he started to insult him. "Weren't you raised better than that? Your momma should smack you!" Now he was baiting my mother, and I stepped in between her and the officer. Then the coup de gra, "Your mother should be ashamed of you!" To which my bother replied without missing a beat, "Im sure she is sir". This made the cop even more frustrated, and after running my brothers info (we could hear over the speaker, "No wants, No Warrants, No Record") he reluctantly released us all while muttering some more of his high and mighty moral advice.
I was shocked! Never would I have thought we would escape all that without so much as a verbal "warning" or written citation for something. It was as though my brother had used some Jedi mind trick on the guy. *waves his hand* "These are not the drunks you are looking for", "They can go about their business", "Move along".
We jumped in the truck and howled with laughter all the way home. What a day. I had a glass or two of my Oberon keg that my parents brought me, but other than that we just grilled food and enjoyed our family's company for the rest of the night. My wife rolled her eyes and was not impressed with the story of our almost arrest, but I think in the end she saw the humor in it. Maybe.
As for the sunburn, well, it could have been worse. Those who know me already are aware that an hour of sun for me is the same as crossing the Sahara, brutal and painful. My thoughtful wife snagged me before I left and helped put SPF 50 (from the same tube we use for my two year old mind you) on my back. I added some to my legs and front, but for unexplained reasons missed my arms. They were burned so crispy by the time we got back you would swear I had stood on the surface of the sun! Ouch!
Good times. We learned a lesson. Pack more beer and or assume you are talking to a cop at all times! Can't wait to do it again!
I'm always chasing rainbows. Then, when I catch one, I spot the next rainbow on the horizon. How beautiful! Off I go running again, cursing every step that remains between me and my next rainbow. Having arrived at this rainbow I instantly spot the next one. Oh how I wish I were already at that next rainbow!
Posts
