April 9…. Bitten by the rules

So in the continuing drama that is our dead e-bikes, we ran into a wall of rules.

We rode the first bus home last night. Transferred to another bus which brought us to the campground. Charged the batteries overnight then set out to retrieve our bikes this morning.

Hopped on a bus, and after a couple stops, were told to exit the bus since the driver was going on a break. We hopped in line to wait for the next bus, and when we boarded, the driver said “those are batteries, you can’t bring them on the bus”.

No amount of arguing, pleading, discussing would sway his mind. The fact that we had already ridden on three other buses didn’t matter to him. Rules are rules, and just because other drivers were ignoring the rules did not mean he would. Ok, I get it. Without rules we would live in a lawless society and would devolve into anarchy and chaos. Batteries on a bus might be a small thing, but it’s the first step down that path and I just can’t be the person that started the beginning of the end of civilization as we know it.

After getting ejected from the bus, as Susy and I sat brainstorming ways to get our bikes back, Sheri, a park volunteer, offered a suggestion. She thought we might get some help from the bike rental shop at the visitor center. Ok! Let’s check.

We went over and spoke with a really nice man named Nate. I should have known right away that he would help, because people named Nate are inherently friendly and helpful. 😉

Nate offered to take us on his private shuttle all the way back to our bikes when he went that way to pick up a tour group.

It ended up being a fabulous trip!! It turned out that Nate lives in the park and has since 2017. He loves it here and knows a TON of information. He gave us a running commentary all the way out, telling us interesting facts, things to look out for, and just general information about the area.

He took us to the place I was “sure” that we left the bikes and UH Oh, no bikes!

Susy started to get real nervous because she thought the bikes were stolen, and I was so confused. I was CERTAIN we had gone to the right place. Nate was all “no big deal, let’s go look at a different place”.

We rode down the road to another overlook and BAM, there they were. So much for me being certain. 🤪

Anyway, all’s well that ends well. We got a personal tour, retrieved our bikes, and made it home in time for lunch. A successful morning. 😆