Holy Crap, What Have I Done???
The first thing I did today was simple. I freaked out. I looked at the door, and began to realize what I had gotten myself into. God I’m a dumbass.
Thankfully the view is fantastic so that took my mind off of things for a bit. Then I remembered that when I got bored of the scenery I couldn’t change it by changing the channel. After freaking out a little more, I decided to follow the list I laid out earlier this morning. That likely saved me from quitting right there and then. While I tried to remember what bacon smelled like I put my tent up. Despite early predictions it went up pretty easily, thank god, and there were no injuries to speak of.
The tent in place I moved on to item two on my list, collect firewood. This also went off without a hitch, as there is a ton of it around. The surprising thing is when I’ve needed wood for past bonfires there is never any nearby, but that is because it’s both early in the season and I checked the roadsides instead of the beach. Plenty there where trees have fallen. This is going to be easy!!!
I can’t find mussels. That’s not good.
The place where mussels usually are was completely barren. Not a single mussel. I began to panic. Remembering what my grandfather had told me, I decided to check the marshy areas. Looking straight across the inlet was plenty of reeds. Seemed like a good place to check.
Riding on a bike when it is in the high 80’s low 90’s is not fun. I’ve been drinking water like a madman but can’t seem to get hydrated. Combine that with being out of shape and starving and you can see I’m not riding the Tour de France anytime soon.
Sadly it was for nought. The reeds on the other side are private gated property, definitely made to keep out riff raff like me. As I began biking in circles, exasperated as my failed luck, I made one last push.
Success!!!! My week may be saved!
In the muddiest most disgusting marsh was a mussel bed and while it wasn’t winning awards for culinary excellence, it would do the trick. I had mussels, all was right with the world:
Should I really be complaining? Probably not.
Also picked up some dandelions. Those could come in handy.