Visits to Wilderness Calls are always relaxing and fun.  Having not been raised in the country leaves room for new learning experiences.  On my last visit to Wilderness Calls it also lead to four hours in a bizarre, wet clay filled experience.
  My tale starts on what is known as Black Tuesday (the day one has to depart Wilderness Calls).  It is never a happy occasion to depart all the peacefulness.  Even though it rained every day, the entire trip was still very pleasurable.  That morning we packed and locked up and said our good byes till next trip.  Spy cams had been placed on trees and the gates locked up.  We began our journey down the clay road in the direction which is considered the "back way" (heck those clay roads all look the same to me..lol) I stopped down the road to take a clipping of a wild rose bush I located. The roses were absolutely beautiful.  Now with my rose bush clipping we began our trip home.  A few hundred feet down the road my truck slid and after several moments of trying, I realized my truck was not going anywhere, anytime soon.  Sam was out of site with his truck and of course I have no cell service.  The clay road was thick with wet clay.  A very big yuck as I was wearing clogs with holes on the top! After a few minutes of waiting Sam and his truck re-appeared driving backwards. He was prepared with ropes and a few minutes later we were out of our"sticky" situation and on the road again.  I was given advice to run the gas a bit, don't steer like a crazy woman, and follow his tires tracks.
  So I tried all of Sam's  advice but was about best at just following his tire tacks and down the road we were moving finally.  I was thinking that I sure would be happy to see the paved road for a change after my little getting stuck scene.  I probably should mention , I was toting three back seat drivers, who kindly reminded about my being stuck earlier and not to do so again.  Now the rain started drizzling again and we continued to move forward.  Then, suddenly I noticed Sam's truck moving sideways and as I was following I soon was in the same pattern. Of course, what did I do? Be a dummy that is what and slammed on the brakes which helped me slide even better! Next was the bang of hitting the back of Sam's truck! Well it stopped us anyhow! First comment from the back seat was "oh you are going to ticket now!" Second comment from the four year old back seat driver was "does Sam have his handcuffs to take you to jail?" Somehow I was missing the love from my three grandsons!
  So here we were stranded in a ditch in the middle of nowhere! Of corse now it started pouring as well.  What were we to do? Sam was as stuck as me and when you walked in the clay it went swosh swosh in your feet.  It stuck to my shoes till I walked like Frankenstein! Sam decided the answer was to return to Wilderness Calls and retrieve the tractor to pull both of us, out of the clay.  So he braved what was  at least five mile walk back in the pouring rain to get the tractor.  While he walked I sat and listened to back seat driver recantations of our situation.
  Finally Sam  returned with the tractor and we labored pulling each truck out of the ditch, through the clay and to a grassy area. Now we had three vehicles and two adult drivers.  Might I add one driver was scared to death(me).   Sam instructed Donald, age 12, on how to operate the tractor and we headed back to Wilderness Calls , with me in the back. Needless to say I again slid and got myself stuck but was able to get myself out. I was very happy to see the gate of Wilderness Calls again.  Donald told me the tractor up front slid all over but he was so brave he lead us right through.  Can you imagine what would have happened if the tractor got stuck? Yikes.  I was so muddy I just squirted myself off with the hose. Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a fan of cold water.
  Now all re-grouped, and the tractor parked Sam announced we were again leaving but out the "front way".  This was not appealing to me at all as that way has this huge hill with deep ditches on the side.  These ditches will destroy your vehicle for sure. Sam said this would be the better choice as it would be closer to walk if the tractor was needed again.  I am thinking he was not too confident I could get off the clay roads by myself. The boys were now asking to ride in Sam's truck as well.  I guess they had the same lack of confidence in my clay driving abilities as well.  Sam advised them his truck was too packed in front so they were stuck with me! We started out and of course after a few minutes you know who was stuck again.  I managed to manouevre out by myself and now we were nearing the "hill" We watched Sam descend down it and had our instructions.  No brake , no crazy steering. Now the boys started crying and begging to get out of the truck. They wanted sam to come back up the hill and drive my truck down.  Sam remained however, at the bottom of the hill watching us. Also taking orders is not always what I am best at so I stepped on the brake and began my descent down the hill with three crying boys.  (should have videotaped this to blackmail them later with)
  As I am writing this story obviously we made it all the way down and to the paved road.  My humiliation was compounded by Sam standing at the bottom of the hill clapping to our success.  All I wanted was a good strong drink! It rained all the way home but I can handle wet paved roads! Lesson learned for me, no clay roads during rainy season!