I am no Lady Luck

Two nights ago, Steven and I were on a “date.” We went to buy some things for the baby and on the way home, Steven mentioned that he had found the nature park and wanted to show me where it was. We have heard from a few friends that this was a really neat place, you could feed the ducks, and right behind the park was some camping spots. I was so excited to see the park; Steven said it was pretty cool when he had discovered it earlier that day. We pulled into the parking lot and looked at the ducks and the different ponds. Steven then drove to the second parking lot and I asked him if this was the way to the camping spots. He said that he hadn’t really explored the park yet and didn’t know. We continued on through a set of gates where a sign was posted saying no alcohol in the park and listed the park hours, but didn’t say anything about vehicles not allowed to pass beyond that point. At my urging, Steven pulled through the gate and proceeded down this cute little road that weaved through the park. As we continued to drive along the road, there a few groups of people walking towards us. We began to be confused and nervous—were we not supposed to be driving on this road? Steven accelerated a little so that we could get back to the parking lot. We did—except this set of gates was closed and locked. We didn’t have enough room to back up, and figuring that we were NOT supposed to be driving on that path, Steven very quickly put the car in reverse and drove backwards down this road about halfway. He was then able to back up and turn around. Steven then very very quickly drove down the way we had come and passed through the gate and into the second parking lot. We were greeted by flashing lights and an unhappy looking policeman in his car. Steven parked the car and turned it off. I searched through the glove box for our registration and insurance card (which was expired. We had mixed up the new set of insurance cards with the old ones and threw the new ones away by accident…). Steven dug his license out of his wallet. The policeman got out of his car and walked towards us, not looking happy at all. The officer finally got to our car, and Steven handed him all of the information, looking a little distressed. The policeman then asked us, “So, folks, why were you driving on the bike path?” Steven and I looked at each other for a moment—we were on the bike path? No wonder the other people at the park were looking at us strangely! We explained our confusion, he told us where the camping spots could be found at Eagle Point, and then he reminded us that we had better call our insurance agent to get current insurance cards. The officer than said, “There is a sign on the gate that says it is a bike path only, but you probably didn’t see it since the gate was open.” He gave us a look, and then walked back to his car. Steven rolled up the window and then pointed out it was my fault for encouraging him to take that path. I was still stunned, but after a few minutes, it hit me and I was laughing hysterically. We have horrible luck. Or at least I do.