Last late Saturday afternoon, Amy, my deaf friend, e-mailed me unexpectedly. She asked in that e-mail, "Would you like to join with us?" . I replied back, "Sure! I will be glad joining u and others tomorrow. This is so unexpected." She also informed me that Nova, another hearing friend of mine who is an interpreter, and her close friend, Cathy, will join with us, too. Great! I was so excited about the trip to a state park in Ocala. I felt I am out of blue. The next morning, I had to leave at about 9:30 am. Chuck and Amy did arriving on time to pick me up. Amy and I were hugging each other when she came over to my place and then I left my place. My father already knows my plans. I left fax messages to inform Dad about the picnic the night before. Anyways, Chuck drove to McDonald's, near west of I-95 highway, for picking up our friends, Nova and Cathy, there. I can't do turning my head around to chat in a sign with them in the back of gold mini-van cuz my neck hurts me. I was sitting in the passenger's front seat. Anyways, Chuck drove a long trip. It took us to get there for 1 hour until Chuck stopped by a supermarket, Winn-Dixie, cuz Nova and Cathy had to buy something for our picnic. About 10 minutes or so later, Nova and Cathy returned and then we left there. Finally, Chuck turned left to south but he realized he's lost as if Chuck kept continuing to drive south longer. We don't see a sign of Silver River State Park yet. Chuck changed his mind and turned right to east. Chuck can't stopping at a place where he could ask someone about the location of Silver River State Park but suddenly, we found it. It's on northeast side of the road. We entered it. Chuck paid cash for going in there. We found our party on the left side of the road. Wow, so many vehicles in the parking lot! Chuck claimed the space when he found an empty one. Then we came to our party. We were meeting and chatting with new and old deaf friends there. I took few pictures of deafies. I paid cash for food. And 10 or 15 minutes later, it was time to eat food but first, a prayer. After a prayer, we went ahead to get our food. I was first in line cuz I am in the wheelchair. Amy helped to push a wheelchair for me and then I settled down to enjoy eating my food but my cheeseburger was about getting cold. It will cold quickly but it's good. I chatted with other deafies at the table. Later on, Amy wanted to walk around the park with us. I said okay. Chuck pushed my wheelchair harder cuz some wheels got stuck in the sand. We looked at old buildings that were built in 1870. Wow! I can't go in them cuz doors that were connecting to ramps are locked. Very interesting a history about those old buildings. We know residents in 1870 were having a hard time like no AC, no telephones, etc. I have had thought about what residents have worn. They might have had worn cotton clothes during a hot weather. I wish I could show u those digital photos but didn't have time. I tried but I already had thought about taking pictures of those 1870 buildings. Sorry. Anyways, old buildings look like a cabin. I guess woods are hard and strong. I can tell. And then we went to the trail, a long one. My wheelchair was difficult to push cuz sand makes wheels getting stuck. We decided to take a break cuz Chuck is exhausted and panted. Also, stopped at the bench. After taking pictures of us, I sat on the bench and waited for my deaf friends to return. I was alone but I am okay. As I was waiting for my deaf friends to return, I looked around the forest. Beautiful and peaceful. Cool air. I wondered what children in 1870 were doing. I imaged children were running wild through trees from their hometown. Anyways, I felt relaxing. We went back to our party when deaf friends returned from the trail. Amy told me she saw a canoe but haven't seen an alligator yet. LOL! Back at BSAD picnic, I chatted with other few deafies. I ate watermelon little bit. Several minutes later, we went home. We were quiet on the way back. Nova and Cathy were napping. When we arrived back in Ormond Beach, we dropped off Nova and Cathy at McDonald's where Nova's car was parked. I was next to be dropped off at my place by Chuck and Amy. Awwwwww, I had a wonderful time at BSAD picnic. I thanked Amy for inviting me there.
See a slideshow about this trip in the next blog, please.
SEE YA!
No comments:
Post a Comment