The Cellar - View Single Post

Hoof Hearted · 02-07-2007, 10:21 AM

Not me, but it affected me as a child and left a lasting impression.

Many years ago, Mother and her fiance took my younger sis and I (ages 8 and 11) to a state park for a day of fresh air and picnicing at Frank Raines State Park, up in the foothills of the California farmlands along the San Juaquin Valley. We stayed all day, playing in the playground, hiking some trails and catching polliwogs in the creek. We had sandwiches for lunch and for dinner Bill fired up a BBQ and made steaks to go with some side dishes Mom had brought. We thought it was a treat to have such a grand meal outdoors!

It was after dark when we finished eating and we were lounging on two huge quilts layed side-by-side and illuminated by Bill's coleman lantern. Mom & Bill were reclined, snuggling and talking while Sis and I were coloring in books with crayons and such. We shared the park with a few other visiters during the day, but by dusk, we were the only ones left.

I noticed a change in voice tone between Mom and Bill and looked up to see two young men (early/mid 20s?) approaching us out of the dark. No vehicle had pulled into the lot or driven past on the road at the bottom of the hill. As they approached, Bill reached his hand under a nearby quilt corner and the "snick" of the safety being released was clearly heard in the night.

The two men immediately stopped approaching. One commented about 'how safe the sound of a gun sounded' to him. I have always remembered that comment because I found it a strange thing for a person on the other end of a gun to say. They chit-chatted for about a minute more and then left.

Were they up to no good? I am certain of it.
I don't want to speculate about what could have, or would have, happened without having had that gun available...but I am certain the "snick" curtailed any thoughts of mayhem with us that night.
hh

02-07-2007, 10:21 AM	#7
Hoof Hearted ...you smell something? Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Monroe, GA Posts: 420	Not me, but it affected me as a child and left a lasting impression. Many years ago, Mother and her fiance took my younger sis and I (ages 8 and 11) to a state park for a day of fresh air and picnicing at Frank Raines State Park, up in the foothills of the California farmlands along the San Juaquin Valley. We stayed all day, playing in the playground, hiking some trails and catching polliwogs in the creek. We had sandwiches for lunch and for dinner Bill fired up a BBQ and made steaks to go with some side dishes Mom had brought. We thought it was a treat to have such a grand meal outdoors! It was after dark when we finished eating and we were lounging on two huge quilts layed side-by-side and illuminated by Bill's coleman lantern. Mom & Bill were reclined, snuggling and talking while Sis and I were coloring in books with crayons and such. We shared the park with a few other visiters during the day, but by dusk, we were the only ones left. I noticed a change in voice tone between Mom and Bill and looked up to see two young men (early/mid 20s?) approaching us out of the dark. No vehicle had pulled into the lot or driven past on the road at the bottom of the hill. As they approached, Bill reached his hand under a nearby quilt corner and the "snick" of the safety being released was clearly heard in the night. The two men immediately stopped approaching. One commented about 'how safe the sound of a gun sounded' to him. I have always remembered that comment because I found it a strange thing for a person on the other end of a gun to say. They chit-chatted for about a minute more and then left. Were they up to no good? I am certain of it. I don't want to speculate about what could have, or would have, happened without having had that gun available...but I am certain the "snick" curtailed any thoughts of mayhem with us that night. hh __________________ I have the ability of single-minded determination and focu...Hey, look! A horse!