Ok, let's finish up this long tale....
As I said, nothing was going right so far. I was late getting dressed and made two trips back to the basement, one for my bow I almost forgot. The ride to the farm was short, so it's now 5:00. I quickly grab my safety belt which is completely tangled, I grab my binos which lovingly slam me in the chin.....yes, I'm a mess.
I take a few breaths and slip down an old path through the woods to my stand. As I get closer to the field edge I realize the entrance way is gone. A tree is down and the thicket seems to have doubled in size. I quickly grab my hand pruners and clip a hole to get through. So much for my stealth mode!
I finally get to my stand, attach my lifeline and up I go. Once settled in I slowly lower the seat on my stand which let's out a lovely squeak! Wonderful, just wonderful. I slump down in my seat only to watch 4 does slipping away. At this point, I really consider heading home. I'm a stickler for details and in my mind the nights a bust. I decide to ride it out, what else does a married guy do on a Friday night!