As I prepare for my day today, I'm sitting here thinking "What have I gotten myself into?"
It started out innocently enough. I'm driving down the road and a voice pops up from the backseat "Mamaw B, will you go on my field trip with me in two weeks." My answer, "Of course". I love taking trips with school classes and never say no. It normally involves field day on campus or a short jaunt to the local Optimist park for a picnic and time on the playground. How difficult could a field trip be.
Well, I guess I will find out today. I am going to Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with two groups of first graders and will be chaperoning several children in my group. When I found out the trip was to Cades Cove, I thought, "Wow this will be fun." Keep in mind that my trips to Cades Cove are always spent in a car as we drive the 11 mile one-way loop through the cove and just watching for wildlife such as bear and deer, which are in abundance.
My daughter gave me the paper this weekend with the details of the field trip. As I read through it, I couldn't help but wonder what I had gotten myself into. Words popped off the page such as "wear layers of clothing" or "there will be some hiking" (did I mention how lazy I am when it comes to walking and did I mention BEARS) and then there was the line "prepare yourself with appropriate footwear" and the "bring a backpack with lunch, water, rain gear and a towel to set on as there are no picnic tables where we are going." And the worst one of all "no soft drinks".
So let me get this straight.....
#1- I am going to be walking with a group of rowdy first graders through the wilds...carrying food ...where bears are in abundance and will come right up to you if you HAVE food.
#2 - I apparently will be on rough terrain....hence the "appropriate footwear"
#3 - I have to carry a backpack (again, did I mention I can sometimes be a little lazy)
#4 - I have to do all this while not being allowed any caffiene or sugar
This is not looking good.
And on a final note, they failed to mention there are VERY limited facilities in Cades Cove. One set of restrooms when you get there and another set when you drive half way around the loop, which we are apparently not going on.
If I was you, I would stay tuned tomorrow to see how this turns out. We are taking a group of first graders somewhere with limited restrooms AND telling them to bring water to drink. I would love to know who organizes these things.
Note to self - In the future, when a grandchild says "Will you go...", get details before firing off an excited YES.
