Good morning. Hope everyone had a lovely weekend. Mine was crazy busy but I have lived through it and am ready to start this week with a bit of energy that I think I have stored up over night. It’s not a lot – but I think it will be enough to spark me forward. 😛
Last month you may remember that my friend Wendy and I went on a 75 mile bike ride that started and stopped in Itaska State Park. We drove there that morning, got lost, and finally made it there about an hour and a half later than we had hoped to start. The man who was working for the bike ride committee told us that the main parking area was full and asked us to park in this other lot that he pointed to.
We completed the ride in hot weather but came back triumphant from completing our goal. We loaded up the bikes, stopped for our Dairy Queen award and went home.
Then came the letter.
The letter states that a vehicle may not enter a state park, state recreation area, or a state wayside over 50 acres in area without a state vehicle permit. Currently my fine and court fees are $125.00
WHA???
So needless to say, I was on the phone yesterday calling the Itaska State Park Operations Supervisor who had signed this letter with the phone number. The message said the office closes at 2 pm each day. I left a message expressing my concern over this letter (and *gulp* fine). Then I thought I had better call the people who set up the bike ride as well as they are the ones who would have my name registered as a rider and I am a bit upset they would have me park in an area that I shouldn’t. I mean, if we are going to participate in this ride, no where during sign up did it say that my vehicle would need to have a Park permit.
So… I am looking for the phone number on their website… scrolling down scrolling down…. and then I stop. What was that? I scroll back up and almost bust a gut laughing….. the picture on their website is Wendy and I. Not a scrolling through pics of the event… nope. Wendy and I. I had no idea.
So yes, I did find the phone number for the coordinator and left them a message as well. I am hopeful today I will get some calls back and we can get this cleared up. The picture is random – they have no idea who the pic is other than riders for the event. I think it is HILARIOUS that I am the one who will be speaking to them about this fine and I have real proof that I was on the ride – because there I am. (Pre – letter happy) 😛
So that is my latest in event worthy news. Today I have work, an exiting afternoon meeting I hope to share more about with you soon, and kick ball (I know, I know) tonight.
Book Journey 
I do hope you get that sorted out. That really is unbelievable. If anything, the ride organisers should pay the fine. Isn’t it freaky, finding pictures of yourself you never knew were taken.
LOL Vivienne – yes, I called Wendy right away and said get on the computer I am sending you a link! 🙂
I am hopeful we can take care of the fine too.
While I am hoping you get this sorted out quickly..
I am actually giggling – as this could only happen to you…
What are the odds that the person they send the fine to is acutally the one person who has the best evidence…
I tell you life is never dull with you…
🙂
LOL E H….. you are right. These sort of things always come my way…. oh well…. at least I never run out of things to write about 😀
Don’t worry, Sheila. I’ll bring you a cake with a file in it. 😀
LOL…. I may be calling you. 😛
LOL! It’s always something isn’t it!
I got up early this morning for an appointment… I hate getting up early because I am a night owl and generally don’t go to bed ’til 2 in the morning… anyway, coffee cup in hand I’m about to head out the door when the phone rings, the lady I was supposed to see this morning is out sick…. UGH! I’m up, I’m showered, I’m awake… and I don’t have to be…. LIke I said… it’s always something…
Sorry about the fine you received, I’m sure they’ll clear it up for you! And that’s a great pic! I would love to do a bike ride like that… but I’d be on the ground huffing and puffing in no time.
Deb the rides are a blast but they usually do not come with fines 🙂 LOL
You are up and ready, maybe take a walk or enjoy a little reading time 🙂
If ever I am bored, I simply open my Morning Meanderings email. Between kickball and bike rides and bookclubs and committees and feeding the homeless and mentoring children and traveling to Haiti and organizing this and leading that…
Who needs a life when you can read about Sheila’s? 🙂
I WOULD like my picture to appear on a website like that, though. That’s kinda cool!
LYnne LOL – you just made me tired reading that – ha ha 😛
Well…. we will see how this all turns out. Fingers crossed!
Yeah, now you know how WE feel. It’s exHAUSTING! LOL!
😆
So sorry about the ticket. I think my first instinct would be to very, very mad! Then I would calm and start to trouble shoot. I do hope that ticket will be straightened out for you.
How cool to see your picture on their site. Fun! I wish I could particpate in events like you, but I work every weekend, and that is when events are held! Gah…darn work…darn the need for money to feed, clothe and house my family!!! I am jesting, so you know. 🙂
My oldest son joined his cycling club at his university. A couple of weekends ago he rode 50 miles with his team. I guess they are in recovery stage, training stage is next, and race season. Can I say that I am jealous of him? I am …oh to be 20 years old again, without much in the way of responsibilities and the freedom to pretty much ride whenever.
Have a great day Sheila!!!
I am in the trouble shooting stage ibeeeg. 🙂
You have a great day too!
Oh, I hate when that happens! And then when you try to call and get the voice mail, the frustration arises. So you wait….and when that happens, the anxiety increases.
A couple of years ago, we got a ticket for parking somewhere while hiking (in Sedona, AZ), and then had to wait until we got back home to sort it out.
Good luck! And have a great day, ticket free!!
Thanks Laurel….. I am parked in my driveway… what could happen? 😛
I’m sure it will all get cleared up (at least I hope so), it’s the getting through the red tape that is really the biggest pain, and I wish you the best of luck with it.
How cool that you guys are in the photo! 🙂
Thanks Alyce – me too. Pay day is coming and I am so looking forward to the Book Festival on the 16th…. I am not really thrilled about paying a fine.
Okay that’s hilarious, even if it sucks at the same time. I hope you get it worked out!
It is painfully funny Amanda – I am with you there. The pic on their website was the icing on the cake. 😛
Oh, how I hate dealing with stuff like that! What a pain! I hope you get it cleared up without too much hassle. By the way, you look really cute on your bike in that photo!
Thanks Kathy 😀
i’m waiting for the day when you have to pay to enter the grocery store’s parking lot or the lot at the mall…..
i’m sure the organizer’s will help you resolve the dilemma;unfortunatley, it will probably be many phone calls and letters later!!!
Diana I have been doing these bike rides for over 10 years and I have never had to pay for parking. I enjoy this ride so I am really hoping we can get this straightened out.
Generally speaking, any time you enter a state park, for what ever reason, you do need a permit.
Rosanne I didn’t even think of it – I did the ride a year ago too – same ride, same starting point and didn’t have one then either. Oh well – we will see what happens. 🙂
Oh, yikes! I hope it gets straightened out without too much hassle!
me too Hannah, I am about to call them again here.
GAH! 😛
If nothing else, it’s definitely in the interest of those who organize the bike ride for things like this to not happen.
Right I called the bike ride organizers today and they said well we put it in big letters on our brochure but I looked all over their brochure and on line and neither say anything.
Hmm, That definitely sounds fishy. Glad it worked out, though!
Sounds like serendipity to me or really good Karma!
I have an update Kathleen but I think I will save it for tomorrow’s morning post. 🙂
The part about the photo proving you were on the ride NOT the ticket…!
LOL Kathleen – I figured that’s what you meant 😛
Ok, I know this is a hassle for you and you’re right, the event organizers should have told you about the parking restrictions BUT, I am cracking up! That is so hilarious that your picture is on the website! Maybe you should tell them you charge $125 to have any photos of you posted any website. 🙂 Seriously though, I hope you are able to get it resolved soon. I’m sorry, but I can’t stop laughing…. 🙂 🙂 🙂
I know Jill! Is that just hilarious? When I called there today I told them that they could check their records I was registered for the ride and that is me on their home page…. riding a bike 😀
Laugh away my friend…. I have an update for in the morning!
I can’t wait! 🙂
How funny. Rules are rules, but during special events, they are usually waived.
Good picture of you two. No wonder they used it.
Thanks Pat…. it was a shock to get the letter but I have it worked out now. i learned a little something from it and finding the picture was funny. I would have never went on their website until next fall for the next ride if I had not been looking for the phone number. 😀
What amazes me is that the fine is so huge! and then the library only charges 5 cents for over due books. Now you are making me hunt for how this turns out. 🙂