LOST Day One Part 2

Another tradition is for us to eat our night before race meals at the Old Country Barffet. The food is pretty good for a buffet and there is something for everyone. It’s located in Richland and we travel the same route every time – except for this time. We were slow getting out of the hotel because one of our esteemed team members did not tell us he planned not to go to dinner. Everyone else decided to go and left me with Ale, Noah and Max. Pulling out of the parking lot I received a phone call from Coach Wright informing us of a traffic backup and suggested we go another way. I thought it would be easy to hit 182 and then pick up George Washington Way. It seemed like a long drive to G.W. Way, so I was pleased to see the exit. We took the exit and nothing looked familiar. It was dark to boot. I asked Ale to read some signs, so I could focus on driving. Ale tried, but could not seem to see very far. Then he realized he had on sun glasses. Coach Wright called wondering where we were and what was taking so long. I had the credit card and everyone was waiting for me to arrive. I tried to explain to him where we were, but really couldn’t. I saw a sign which said “West Richland” and we both agreed that was the wrong way.
We continued to drive, looking for a gas station. At least that’s what I wanted to do. Max didn’t like that idea because he was reveling in being our navigator. In fact he did a very convincing job of directing us to oblivion. Finally, after telling me to make a left hand turn on a road which was not there I decided it was time to find a gas station. I sincerely believe there is only one gas station in Richland and it is camouflaged. We did locate the station eventually and I went in to talk to the attendant and buy a map.
The directions were clear and easy to follow except there was a slight detour. It did lead me to where I began to see landmarks and I was able to get us to the restaurant. The guys wondered whether Coach Wright would be angry, but I told them he wouldn’t because about five years ago we stumbled around on a dark night, for two hours, looking for a buffet which had gone out of business. The bottom line here is that if you plan to drive around the Tri-Cities after dark take along a survival kit.
We were greeted at the restaurant by a visibly upset Coach Wright. Seems the girls had picked up some bad habits from the guys and were playing with their food. He had worked out a deal with the restaurant and the girls were able to get their food on a promise that I would show up and pay for it eventually. They were all beginning to think eventually was not going to happen. Coach Wright happily left quickly to attend a coaches meeting.
The trip back to the hotel took about ten minutes instead of an hour. The guys were instructed to be in their rooms and quiet by ten o’clock. At about 13 minutes after ten I heard some running around on the second floor where some of the guy’s rooms were located. I quickly ran up the stairs only to find that it was some of our girls trading sweat shirts with the Jackson boys. Coach Wright was there and everything was fine.
I went to bed, turned on the TV and the movie “Airplane” was showing. It doesn’t get much better than that.