rocked

For those who aren't deciphering the image right away I'll begin with a brief synopsis. Here we see the interior of the RV. We also see a large rock. Let's back it up a bit with a blow-by-blow replay.

After Rushmore and Crazy Horse, we decided to venture into the Custer State park. I've been told again and and again of it's majesty. There are 3 main routes through the park and about a half-dozen campsites (designed to accomodate RV's) between them. We chose one of the main routes, ventured in, and came upon the first campground. No vacancy. No problem. Onward and upward. The scenery was spectacular. I was not misled. We passed through one tunnel which the fine folks at the South Dakota Parks department generously blasted/carved to give at least 4 inches of clearance on each side of the ride. The second tunnel was designed by some scoundrel hell-bent on pinching the main vein of their most famous park and encouraging the stupid-adventurous lobe of the brains of people like myself.

As we made the approach, Despy wasn't having it. All I could hear over my shoulder was "Turn around, Bobby. No No. We're not getting through this one". Wes thought we could pull it off. I figured they wouldn't make the tunnel in RV paradise if you couldn't fit through. About halfway to the growing port at the end of the jagged passage, we'd pulled in the mirrors and were starting to scratch up on various bits of granite. I was becoming overwhelmed. I couldn't bear the thought that I'd damage my baby and began second-guessing this tunnel endevor. However, there was an important issue to review. There existed the looming fact that driving that monster in reverse isn't easy. I don't like backing up in an empty parking lot for fear of collision. But the tunnel was narrowing. No doubt.

"Left Left LEFT! ok ok, ok ok straighten straightSTOP! ok ok.. right right. Straighten. ok. To the left OK STOP! ok right; now straighten it out STOP!"

This is what I heard over my shoulder for the 10-20 minutes it took to back out. I was frazzled. Fortunately, there was plenty of room at the mouth of the tunnel to back up, turn around, hell.. through a circus if you're so inclined. Unfortunately, I broke my #1 wheel-man rule for the rig. Take it easy. I backed up, turned around, and tapped the gas. The sound that followed a few seconds later rollercoaster-dropped my heart through my midsection and every cell in my body snapped with electricity. Threw it in park. Flew out of my seat and darted to witness the nightmare. I'd made a 6-inch error that ripped the back off my dream like it was a can of corn.

I knew going into this evndevor that there would be big ups and downs. I prefer that to equilibrium, stasis, or repetition. I wasn't , however, expecting this type of goings on after a paltry month in action.