Shopping In Vermilion

On Saturday Oct. 25, 2008 Margaret & I took grandma Pedee to meet Diane & Elaine for a day of shopping & family bonding. Margaret suggested that we meet half way somewhere like Vermilion. So off we go. We picked up my mom about 9:30am. Traveling down Reynolds to get to the Ohio Turnpike I shot through a traffic light that changed red as I was going through. I didn't see a flash so maybe there wasn't any traffic camera at that intersection and hopefully no ticket.

We met up with the girls on Main St. in downtown Vermilion. Downtown Vermilion is about 2 blocks wide. It is mostly a summer resort town. This day was no chamber of commerce day, it was bone chilling cold and very windy. The warm clothes we brought came in handy.

First off we stopped a local coffee house for a cup of joe. After warming up a bit, we ventured out to scout the local shops. I get tired quick when the shopping goes beyond 15 minutes, so I went to the car to nap. It was perfect day for a nap. The sun was warm inside the car even though the weather outside was brisk.

We ate lunch at a local restaurant/ ice cream parlor. After lunch the shopping had not been satisfied so off they went to a second hand store. Me, I retreated to the comfort of the front seat of my Camry.

You know thinking back, I probably shouldn't have gone with the girls. I don't like to shop and I know the girls were upset that I didn't want to participate in the shopping. I should have just let it be a girls day out and stayed home.

After the shopping urge had been satisfied, we parted ways. I decided to take Rt. 2 instead of the turnpike. Big mistake! The speed limit on Rt. 2 this side of Sandusky is 65 mph. As soon as you cross the bridge over the Sandusky River the speed limits drops to 55mph. Dummy me! I was still going the 68 mph, when out of the corner of my I spotted a State Highway patrolman laying in wait. No! Noooo! On go the flashing lights as he pulls out in pursuit of his prey. I looked around to see who he might be after. Not me, I said, I was only doing 68 and the speed limit is, oops, Oh NO... 55. I slowed down to late realizing that he was after me.

"Hello Officer", I said. Standing next to my door he said "Let me see your driver's license and insurance card." Knowing I was at least 12 mph over the speed limit, I knew I might have to make a hefty contribution to the Ohio State Highway Dept. He took my information and went to his car to check my history for warrants and accumulated tickets. Coming back, he gave me my papers back and said I had a clean record and that he was only going to give me a verbal warning. Thank God my clean record saved my sorry ass.