This is the end of the season. Surface water and air are in cool down mode. We did have a narrow – good – weather window today and decided that this was THE opportunity for a final run. Our friend, Giovanni, was in town and it was my chance to show him a nice time. So we slid the boat off the trailer anticipating a grand finale ski ride and in MY moment of pride and glory I twisted the ignition key and — nothing. It was ironic justice that this same scenario played out for Giovanni just days ago (reference blog 10/20/02!). No showing off for me. The engine cranked 3 or 4 revs diminishing to the pathetic staccato click click click click of the weakening starter solenoid. The battery was flat. We all sat there in sullen disbelief that our grand plans were looking dashed. Hope was that an obliging fisherman would come along and offer a cable jump start. Immediately appearing in the middle of our plight comes an older backwoods couple in a clapped out mini van. They are situated at the top of the boat ramp and close enough for us to hear them yelling “HEY!” in our general direction. Don’t know if they blundered in and sensed our trouble or dreamed of a chance that they might get an impromptu invite to go out on the lake. The woman was insistent and likely skunked. The situation became a bit surreal as Giovanni started giggling, reporting that she just flashed us and did a little jiggle dance for his benefit as well. B.O.U.R.Girl was not amused feeling a little uneasy and reached for the cell. I mean, we were in double jeopardy. With creepy deliverance types atop and the wide open lake (and no paddle oar) beyond. I suppose we could have repelled boarders with a water ski and then cast off to drift… A couple of calls to the Park Service produced a sympathetic receptionist who promised to dispatch Ranger Cox to see to the ‘flasher’ and rescue us with a booster battery. The day was saved! What happened to the odd couple? Last we saw their vehicle was parked on the road shoulder, its occupants in the woods somewhere. What were they were up to there? Don’t know. Don’t want to know.