You know the feeling. The one in the pit of your stomach when you see something you don't want to see or encounter something that you don't feel capable of tackling at the moment.
The last time was many years ago as I was cruising back from Marshfield at 5500 feet altitude, enjoying a scenery full of beautiful cumulus clouds and blue sky when I realized all of the many holes through which I could see the ground had been replaced with a solid layer of clouds, totally eliminating my view of mother earth. Weather advisories confirmed a scattered 2500 foot ceiling all the way home, but the escalator was missing.
The feeling in the pit was eliminated when I judiciously made a 180 degree turn and headed back to where the breaks in the clouds made it possible to see hallowed ground again. A normal descent brought me down to a 2500 foot ceiling and a comfortable trip back home. What originally was thought to be a challenge was parried with a proper reaction, which resulted in a safe and satisfactory conclusion to the trip.
A similar feeling in the stomach showed up when I originally viewed the mess that a recent catastrophic storm levied on Waushara County and specifically on our Wilson Lake retreat. But, with the help of many friends and relatives, it appears that a judicious 180 degree turn will restore the break in the clouds and help make an eventual and satisfactory end to this voyage possible also. We sustained some property loss, though not near as much as others in the area, and we loss some dear old 150 year old Oaks which have provided shade and comfort for ages. But new generations will replace them, and the view from the deck will be as captivating as ever. May we all continue to enjoy it in years to come.
