Tumble into creek made excursion more memorable

At a certain point, my assistant Brownie Scout leader and I decided we had had enough of visiting 'points of interest' and local places in the city of Philadelphia. We decided one particular day that it would be great to take a hike in the famous Wissahickon woods.

We piled the Brownies in my trusty blue and white '56 Buick convertible with the top down and parked the cars at the top of a long hill about two miles from our destination, the Valley Green Inn. The Inn was a historic whitewashed stone lodge with attached riding stables, set on the Wissahickon Creek, and a perfect place to stop off for a drink and a snack.

The walk downhill to the creek was relatively uneventful - no one dragging behind, and no falling or scraped knees. When we arrived, we all sat down to eat, enjoying the feeling of accomplishment.

A few girls finished their snacks and began walking across a stone dam that stretched across the water. They crossed without incident as the rest of us watched.

Suddenly, one of the girls slipped and fell into the shallow but cold creek water. There were shrieks and tears as we rushed over and leaned over the water with our hands extended and tried to convince her she could walk out of the shallow water.

I finally had to take off my shoes and stockings and walk in after her myself. Then I understood what all the shrieking was about. That water was cold!

It was a very slow trip back up the hill to the car, what with my weepy scout in her very wet shoes, squishing every step of the way.

"Well," I said, "I guess next week we'll have to go downtown and visit the Betsy Ross House."

As I recounted this tale at home that evening, my threeyear old said, "Hey, Mom, are you having fun yet?"

If you have not yet enjoyed the sunset at the new Plaza De Luna Park overlooking Pensacola Bay from Palafox Pier, it is time to experience it and the live entertainment presented in one of our area's newest, nicest locations.

Performances are held every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. until dark at the end of the Palafox Pier in Pensacola. The "Sunset Vignettes" include a variety of professional and amateur musicians and performers. Best of all, it is completely free!

You can call Becky Bray at 435-1695 for more information. It's a wonderfully relaxing way to spend an evening, no matter what your age group.

The government estimates a lifestyle of poor diet and lack of exercise contributes to the early death of nearly 600,000 Americans every year. If you are old enough to be reading this, you were obviously too smart to become part of this statistic!

Here's a laugh or two:

At a car repair shop: "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."

Definition of "shin:" A device for finding furniture in the dark.

Something to ponder: What happens if you get 'scared half to death' -- twice?

See you next week!