I have to start out with a FIVE STAR rating (would be more if possible) for an employee in the parking area named Cannon (spelling?)... he assisted my little sister and I to find a place VERY close to the entry so neither of us would have to walk very far. I didn't see any handicap parking areas (reason for 4 stars) as I have certification for that, and brought my placard to put on her mirror. My sis had rolled down her window, and I stated, reluctantly, that I had cancer with some side effects that were causing me problems that day, and Cannon said he had a family member that had cancer as well (?) and he'd take care of the parking AND pray for me! God bless this precious young man... we don't find many like him these days. Anywho, we followed him almost out of the place, right up to the entry!!! WOOT WOOT!!! It couldn't get much better, as I'll explain later...
Cannon asked if I needed any more assistance, and I gratefully said no, thank you... that he was a blessing and that I'd pray for him as well, and those he loved. We were both happy.
We get out of the car, and start looking for my niece and two great nieces... "Grandma Honey" gives my niece Kristin a call and finds out she's not that far away from where we're parked, heading at approximately the 11 o'clock direction of Kat's car. Sis says to stay put and they'll all be back in a moment so we can join up with Kristin's other mommy friends and their kids.
Now, as I'm standing there, it's getting hot. Usually heat up to 100 degrees doesn't even bother me in the least... seriously... barely break a mist of a sweat... and a weird complication of something that happened because I was going to the gym AND I have cancer... long story that would be TL;DR... my polycythemia kicked in. Although I have perfect lungs, I got short of breath and immediately was exhausted although all I did was stand there. I was fine when I got out of the car... and thought "Uh oh. There goes a great review!"
Anyway, the fam shows up and we go get our Walden Bucks... a "card" is $10 and is good for the hayride, activities, food, drinks, gifts, etc. Handy! I can't remember if I took a pic of the card, but I think not... they're a cute orange, with 5 little pumpkin heads one gets punched out as they're spent.
We get in the VERY long line for the hayride, and I realize I. CANNOT. DO. THIS. I tell my sis to tell Kristin that I have to go sit down, as the polycythemia has popped up out of the blue and knocked Auntie out. Sis says after the hayride she will be finished as well, as her back issues far exceed mine exponentially, and she really should never have gone in the first place... but... daughter, granddaughters. Y'all get the picture. We grandmothers have to appear indestructible!
I find an end spot on a picnic table in the shade across from the hayride, the main food "court" and where one could buy "goodies"... and to my left was sand art and other cool things to do that unfortunately I didn't have the strength to check out or take pics of...
To the right of the hayride is a really adorable changing station "shack"... once again, not sure if I got pics. (I ended up with rhabdomyolysis from the gym because of my kidney cancer. Check out "10 symptoms of rhabdomyolysis" at facty.com and you'll see why I'm brain dead right now, and VERY lucky I'm not dead!)
As I was sitting there waiting, and guarding Kristin's stroller, I realized I left my water bottle in the car. I had my $10 Walden Bucks card, but there was no way I could stand in those loooooong lines. So, I thought I could possibly bribe someone to get me 2 bottles of water and they could have what was left on the card for their trouble. Great idea, right? Nope. Didn't have the strength to get up and do even that... so my second Angel of Walden helped me out. I had noticed an older gentleman going back and forth from a tent-like structure to the right in front of me, and I asked if he would be so kind to do that next time he went there... and he said "Honey, here's two waters. Don't worry about it!" I was all "But sir... please, bless you, but at least take this card I'm not going to use and give it to someone you think needs it the most..." He got the biggest smile under that light blue mask that matched those twinkling blue eyes and said "Done!" I had two free waters (basically) gifted a card I wasn't going to use, had a water for my poor sister when she got off a ride she shouldn't have been on in the first place... and found out this place has the most amazing employees!!!
Anyway, the fam got off the ride and first thug Kat says is "Are you ready to go???" Well, YEAH! So goodbyes were said, hugs given, and the blessed short trek (thank you again, Cannon) to the car was made. Cars still coming in nonstop. Hopefully next year, as especially as the younger will be TWO then, I will be able to go back and try this again! read more