Mama Diaries

Friday, June 12, 2015

A Little Bit Lost

My kids and I went on vacation to Tennessee. We ended up going through a very secluded area in the mountains where road signs were pretty much non-existent. When situations like that arise, I rely on my Garmin. That's not always a good idea. Garmins are easily confused.

When my Garmin insisted that I go down a dead-end road, I knew we were lost. So what did I do? What any other female would do:  I asked for directions.  Except the only person I found was an old dude standing next to his John Deere tractor on the side of the road.

I rolled down my window. "Excuse me, sir. Can you tell me how to get to 135 North?"

He studied me for two seconds, and then started talking in his Tennessee drawl. "Well, it ain't down that way. That there is a dead end road."

"Yeah," I said. "I already figured that out." I pointed to my Garmin. "Stupid here thought that was the way to go." "(Yes, I named my Garmin, "Stupid.")

"You have to go to the truck stop," he said. "Do you know where that is?"

I shook my head. "No, sir. I'm not from around here."

"You're visiting?"

"Yes, sir."

"How long?"

"Three days."

"Maybe I can take you for a motorcycle ride."

Seriously?

"Uh, no thanks. I just want to get to my destination."

After a lot of listening to him talk about left turns and right turns and fourth traffic lights, I decided the dude with the tractor was not the best person to get directions from. I thanked him for his time.

"If you want that motorcycle ride, just let me know," he said as I pulled away.

Uh huh.

(Meanwhile, in the back seat of my car, my kids were listening to the whole thing. "Mom," my daughter said after we had gotten away from that guy. "That was dangerous! You shouldn't talk to strangers!" She might have a point!)


Now, for those of you who like pictures, here's a picture of one of the places I visited:  Burgess Falls.

    

47 comments:

  1. What have you against motorcycles? :) I can't believe he "came on to you" like that with kids in the car.

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    1. Nothing against motorcycles. My husband has one, and occasionally I'll go for a ride with him. But not with some old dude I've never met. I was a little shocked that he was trying to pick me up, too!

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  2. I used to be a pillion on my late husband motor cycle many years ago, enjoyed it.
    I well remember Tennesssee from my Nashville visit.
    Loved the photo.
    Yvonne.

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  3. Replies
    1. The falls were gorgeous. I loved the sound of the water crashing down, too!

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  4. My goodness! Sounds like that man has spent too much time with his tractor. At least the falls were nice. Have a great weekend!

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  5. hahaha a whole hillbilly vibe there, be one ride you might not come back from, stranger danger

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  6. At least he wasn't playing a banjo...

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    1. Haha! That would have made it even more interesting.

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  7. Sounds like he was flirting with you. Too bad he was awful with directions.

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    1. It probably would have made a lot of sense if I was familiar with the area.

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  8. I used to live about an hour away from Tennessee. Anyone over the age of 30 in Alabama will (literally- this has happened) give the following instructions:

    "Well you're gonna go down about a quarter mile down yonder and then there's gonna be a dirt road. That that road. Follow it until you get to the place where that barn burned down about fifty years ago. You know the one? Poor family. Bless them. Turn there. Then your gonna head to the crick. Cross the bridge but be careful, it might have flooded again. If if did, you'll have to go back to the barn."

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  9. Replies
    1. It was very pretty. That's the great thing about Tennessee - pretty mountains, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls.

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  10. Yeah, definitely ixnay on the motorcycle ride! At that offer, I think I'd have rolled up my window and not waited for any lefts and rights!

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    1. That's probably what I should have done, but I'm a polite mid-western girl.

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  11. You know you can get a motorcycle ride whenever you want one though

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    1. Right. I'll stop by and see if he's available next week. ;0)

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  12. My goodness, what an adventure. This man certainly sounds like a, err, character.

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    1. Yes. He was friendly enough. Just a little too friendly.

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  13. I hope you didn't hear dueling banjos when you were getting those directions!
    That waterfall is a beauty, though!

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    1. The waterfall was gorgeous. I wish you could hear the sound of the water falling. There were three falls there, and it was an amazing thing to listen to them.

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  14. I think your Garmin may be more than confused. Some of them are downright evil! Seriously, it seems like ours TRIES to steer us wrong. On purpose. Then her voice gets all snarky. I swear, it's so she doesn't laugh...

    That old dude asking you if you wanted a ride on his motorcycle is hilarious!

    And the waterfall is gorgeous. I'm glad you had a good time, in spite of Stupid's efforts.

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    1. Stupid is definitely stupid. The only reason I have it, is for when I can't see the road signs - at night or when I'm in a completely unfamiliar location.

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  16. Sherry, that man was flirting with you. And your daughter is right, you shouldn't be talking to strangers (though you weren't exactly having a cosy chat with him, but just asking for directions.)

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    1. Tennessee folks are very friendly, but I felt that one was a little too friendly!

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  17. Your daughter is very sensible, Sherry. Hahaha! Looks like the guy is trying his luck. Have a wonderful week ahead, dear! xoxo

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    1. She is very sensible. I'm glad she has a good head on her shoulders!

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  18. I'd say Burgess Falls was worth the trip! At least you know your daughter is paying attention to the safety messages.
    Stopping in from Life & Faith in Caneyhead.

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    1. Burgess Falls was beautiful! Hey, at least the guy didn't ask to take me on a tractor ride. ;)

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  19. Wow, what kind of creep tries that while you have kids in the car? "Yeah, hold on kids, I'll be back. Just taking a quick motorcycle ride with a complete stranger!"

    Glad you made it there okay!

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    1. Yeah. It was a little odd. Maybe he thought I'd come back and spend a few hours with him. No, thank you!

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  20. Oh, no. What a creep. Thanks for the pic.

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    1. I don't think he was a creep - just a little too friendly. Burgess Falls was beautiful. I have quite a few pics of the place.

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  21. Sherry the picture is wonderful but the guy sounded like a total weirdo... wow... I am glad you left and were able to find your destination... xox

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    1. I retraced my "steps" and found a main freeway. It's always better on a freeway. Stupid found her way once I got off the back roads.

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  22. My GPS used to direct me the wrong way on one-way roads when I lived in Boston. Made life a little too exciting for me. Can't believe you turned down the motorcycle ride. I mean he seemed totally normal. No creepy, middle of nowhere vibe at all ;)

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    1. Haha! Yep. Completely normal. I should've definitely accepted. ;0)

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  23. Sherry, I have nominated you for "The Creative Blogging Award"
    Please read my post on the said subject for rules.
    Yvonne.

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    1. Thanks, Yvonne. I have not been able to get back to your blog. There's something wrong with the link. Maybe you can take a look at it and get it fixed.

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  24. I love listening to waterfalls. The best.

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