Little Pre-Halloween Fun

Last night was almost a complete washout! Yumi and Dan picked me up and we were excited to do the salmon corn maze in Snohomish, WA. I forgot that with the fall back time change that it would get dark out an hour earlier but I had my hiking stick, head lamp, and I could always hold on to someone's arm if need be.

When we got there the entrance was all lit up but not many cars as it had started to rain. We were still prepared to go however as Yumi and I wore our rain jackets and waterproof shoes and Dan brought his umbrella.

While I was in the bathroom Yumi and Dan inquired about the presence of a map for the maze. Upon my return Dan was frantically writing something on my paper pad. Apparently there had been so much rain in the Snohomish valley that the maze was a mess of mud and water. We were guaranteed to sink up to our knees in mud and even possibly waist deep in some puddles......definitely the maze from H---! LOL

Yumi was still up for it as she had brought an extra pair of shoes and pants. However, Dan and I did not and really were not up for a cold weather mud wrestling event with the corn. Plus, in the dark and under those conditions it would be comparable to an unfit person attempting an ecochallenge with my bad balance in the dark!

Here is the link for a picture of the cool maze that became a washout this year: http://www.stockerfarms.com/html/corn.asp
Click on the photo to blow it up and take a better look.

Alright so the maze did not work but the haunted forest was at a park in Everett that I was familiar with. I was certain that with the higher elevation and established trails that we would not have the mud problem.

I think we were all hoping the rain would let up but it did not and it was dang cold in Everett! I was wearing a turtle neck, fleece vest, sweater hoody jacket, a good breathable rain jacket on top and water proof shoes. Yumi was dressed in the same fashion. We stood in line so long that we were starting to get cold. It was not that cold at my house when they picked me up or when they left Seattle. Poor Dan. He did not have a hat and only had a fleece jacket over a t-shirt. He had to keep going to the car to warm up and we eventually had to put a hand towel on his head with a plastic safeway fruit bag over the top.

I felt incredible sympathy for the volunteer monsters in the woods. All they had was their costumes on. They were out there in the rain and cold for hours! I don't know how they could stand it. I tell you they really worked for every penny of their fund raiser (The Everett Jaycees). http://haunt.everettjaycees.org/

LOL I must say that when you are deaf, can't walk well in the dark, and have ocsillopsia (eye jiggling), your fear factor really diminishes. Those poor monsters. LOL They tried scaring and surprising me to no avail. They seemed to pop out from behind us and I could not hear them. Plus I was looking mostly at the ground to ensure safe footing. When I looked up it was hard to focus as the scenery was moving (due to the ocsillopsia). I had to stop, stand still, and focus to see what was ahead.

I could not help but laugh! I laughed at myself the whole time. Heck I probably scared those monsters. They could not tell how old I was but I was this woman hobbling along with a stick and laughing crazily!
They succeeded in surprising Yumi and Dan and I would not notice so Dan kept turning me around to show me the monster. Then I could not help but laugh at how funny the situation was. One monster was at a loss and just waved to me.

I think at one point I surprised a monster in this made up tunnel. I looked to my left and saw this large bag like object. I was wondering what it was so I started to jab at it with my hand and then it moved! LOL Poor fella!

Oh and I almost poked this girl lying on the ground. Moments before we saw a body lying on the ground. I could tell by observing the legs that it was a fake body. I mean who would be lying on the ground in this weather? So we were venturing up a hill (fortunately not downhill) and there was another body on my right where I was using my stick. Seeing as I had difficulty walking, I held onto Dan's arm with my left and used my hiking stick with my right. When we went up the trail it narrowed and of course while I am walking I cannot focus on objects well. I just assumed it was not a real body.

Thank goodness as I approached I noticed the reality of her hands and a ring on her finger. Then she moved! That was the scariest part just knowing that I could have possibly poked the tar out of her if I had not realized she was real!

In any case, even though it was not scary for me I really did appreciate the work that went into their whole setup. It was rather neat actually and after throwing a few Halloween parties myself, I know how much effort and time goes into decorating and creating a gauntly atmosphere. Additionally, I have wanted to go to this event for years but never got around to it. Even though I am deaf and my balance stinks, I wanted to do it while I was still able.

LOL Next year though Yumi and I made a pact to stick with indoor or warmer events. :o)