Hello and welcome back to the wonderful world of the Dogpound. If my calendar is correct, which it is sometimes, we have a holiday coming up, Labor Day. The really good news is that there are some places that are actually open this time, even if they are only partly open. I think it would be a great time to go to places that are usually packed wall to wall with people, like Disneyland. The last time I was there was so long ago. I think it was in July because it was very hot and they had these mist sprayers going so you did not melt while standing in line, and we were packed elbow to elbow as far as eye could see. If I remember correctly, they had these little signs that told you where you were in the line, timewise. When you were close, they had a sign that read: “If you are at this point, you are only 30 minutes from the best 5-minute ride in the world.” Further back, there is another sign that says, “If you are here, you are about an hour from your ride. Hang in there; you will be happy that you waited.” Then way back there is the final sign, “If you are here at this point in the line, try again tomorrow.” Of course, that was way back then. This is the way it would be today. A family of four are happily walking through the turn-stills at Disneyland in Florida. “Look at this, honey,” the husband says while pointing out at the almost empty street. “Just as I promised. No crowds!” The wife responds, “I can see. This will be our best trip ever.” As they grab a brochure map off the visitor’s wall, they are approached by what looks like a fairy. Hard to tell with the face shield, vinyl elbow gloves, full cloth face mask, a holster full of sanitizer spray bottles, and a six-foot wand that was gently pressing against the father’s stomach. “Welcome to Disneyland. How may I help you?” she inquires. “We are here for the rides!” the two little kids shout enthusiastically. “Oh my!” the fairy says, “There just went my eardrums. LOL Only kidding. So what rides are you guys most interested in riding first?” The young boy raises his hand and says, “I want to ride in the Haunted House.” The little girl says, “No, we have to see Space Mountain first.” “Honey?” The husband turns to his wife. “Well, my sister said we had to ride the Pirates of the Caribbean.” “Ok,” the husband says to no one in particular. “We have all day and plenty of time to ride them all, but I bet everyone would love Splash Mountain.Everyone raise your hand if you want to get wet!” Everyone raises hands in agreement. “Excellent choice!” the fairy interjects. “Splash Mountain it is! Let me guide you to the ride. Just follow me.” The family falls in line behind the fairy and they follow her past the souvenir stand that is located about fifty feet just inside the main gate, and she stops. “Here you go.” She points her wand to the ground where there is a big yellow line and then to the sign that reads, “This is the start of your exciting 5-minute ride on Splash Mountain.” The husband gives the fairy a puzzled look. “I cannot even see the ride from here. What is going on?” “You must remember. “The fairy respondsd, “That even with 50 percent reduction in attendees, we still have to keep social distancing, pointing to another family some six feet ahead of them. “But there is some good news.” “What is that?” the husband asks in a huff. “Well, see that family standing out in the parking lot? That sign says if you are here, come back tomorrow.”
God bless and have a safe holiday.
JR
