Beware the Bear

I did promise a few funny stories. This is one of my favorites and I usually have a hard time telling it without laughing.


It was Labor Day weekend, 2008. My cancer had come back in the spring and we had been dealing with surgeries and medicine changes and a little bit of stress all summer. Our wonderful friends and next door neighbors invited us to their cabin in beautiful Pocahontas County. They had asked us several times before, but this time we REALLY needed to get away. Most of her family, complete with lots of kids the boys ages, would be there and we were very excited!


There was so much for the boys to do and the first day was so much fun! We got there, unloaded, played on the swings, caught salamanders at the pond, rode the trails, walked down to the river, did a little fishing, and lots of visiting. It was just beautiful and they all treated us like part of their family. The fresh air made us all tired and well after the sun had set we headed to the guest room. There were two twin beds; one for Trent and Brad; one for Ian and I. Ian wasn't even two yet and he had a tough time falling asleep, by the time he fell asleep Brad was snoring so loud that Trent started to complain, then Trent fell asleep so soundly that we were all awakened a few hours later when Brad shot out of bed to shout, "Trent just peed on me." Needless to say, it was not a restful night.


The next day, after a lot of outside fun and a wonderful bonfire cookout, we opted to head home instead of staying another night. It was late and the boys fell asleep quickly. As we rode along, Brad and I chatted and listened to the radio. Suddenly, I started feeling like my stomach was being tied in knots. With all my meds, I never really knew why I would have these attacks, but I did know that I was going to need a bathroom...soon! It was the middle of the night and we were on some very remote roads. Brad promised that there was a store up ahead. By the time we got to the store, I was shaking and sweating. The store was CLOSED. There was nothing. Not even a port-a-pot near the picnic area.


As we pulled out of the parking lot, Brad promised that there would be someplace several miles down the road. Suddenly, I realized that I could not last any longer. After several failed attempts to find a place to pull over, he found something. As soon as that truck came to a stop, I hopped out, closed the door, ran toward the woods, and dropped trou. I didn't have any clue where we were, it was pitch dark, and I think that is the sickest I have ever been. Brad rolled down the window a little and said, "hurry up, someone is going to come." I tried to think of something clever like, 'I am having such a fun time I thought I'd stay out here,' but when I looked up to reply, the window was already rolled up. It was then I realized that the truck was shaking. Because he was laughing so hard.


I collected myself and got back in the truck. I think Brad wasn't sure if I would be mad or not so we rode in silence for quite some time. Then he started laughing, a real uncontrollable laugh that he couldn't hold in anymore. What I hadn't realized is that we were in a park-n-ride area when we pulled over. Brad could hardly contain his laughter while saying: "the DNR is going to be on high alert for some dying bear when they see that on Tuesday." Then we both laughed. And for every trip after, he was sure to point out the park-n-rides and ask if I needed to stop.