The other day, a friend of mine called and asked if Sadie Lou Who and I would like to go for a walk at the lake. It was a nice day, and I needed a break from cleaning house, so I said, “Sure.” Sadie and I loaded up in the car and headed to Dewey Short Nature Trail by the dam. If you have never been there, you need to go. It is a great place to walk, run, rollerblade, bike, etc. Living out past SDC, we watched the miles and miles of cars attempting the trek for a day of fun on the rides at the City. I was really glad to not be in that line and going the other direction!
We pulled into Dewey Short, helped my friend unload her kids’ bikes, only to find out that the trail was closed on this end due to the extreme flooding we have had recently in B-town. We loaded back up and headed to the state park end hoping for more success. Needless to say, this end of the trail was also closed. An elderly couple informed us that we could go around the barrier and walk for a ways before the trail would get bad. So, I thought, “How bad could it really be?” Let me tell you, the water was sooo high, you could not even see the paved trail anymore! This weather is sooo crazy!
Well, we headed back to the picnic area with Sadie thinking she was adventure dog and running through every puddle she could find. Remember, my dog is vertically challenged, so it made for a nice wet belly mess in my car. At the picnic area, we encountered all the tables and barbecue pits submerged in water all the way to their tops. My friend’s daughter decided to run down and wade through the flood to climb up on a half submerged park bench. We both yelled at her to get down as it probably was not safe, but kids will be kids and she paid no attention, that is, until…
“Snake!” yelled her sister’s friend, Amber. Now, you know Mrs. N and snakes, they do not go together! I looked straight down to where she was and swimming right next to her in the water was a Copperhead! She flew off that bench faster than Superman to a rescue! How she got away, I do not know, but I was not about to go to her rescue. My feet were glued to the pavement. It would have taken an army to get me loose!
So, that is a slice out of my spring break life. Let’s hear one of yours. I am sure you have tales to tell:)
Mrs. N

