Gifted

Father's day! June 15, 2025. Time to saddle up and ride. Performed the safety check on bike:  Brakes, clutch, tires, lights and flashers -- roger. Radio and CW paddle: roger; Antenna and cables: roger, Battery and power cables: roger; log book: roger,  snack pack: roger. All set to go!

I ride to the park close to my QTH : About a 30 minute ride. I arrive at my usual spot in the park; then duck walk my motorcycle back into the slot. I proceeded to shed my gloves, helmet and riding jacket and look up at my usual tree. All's well except for the table. I moved the picnic table out of the direct sunlight into the shady part under the tree; making sure I will be in the shade for the next couple of hours. Moving picnic tables on grassy surface sure was hard work. After catching my breath and resolving to get into better shape, I throw the arborist line up the tree and get my wire antenna ready. Setting up the KX-3 was quick. Time to put out CQs. The bands have not been great these days and I wanted to spot myself on the POTA website. I reach out to my pocket to fish my cell phone out. My brain did not expect the feeling of emptiness in the pocket. Hmmm...no phone. Did I drop it on the way? Or did I leave it at home. After the initial panic, I tried to recall my departure. Did I take my phone or not? After some thinking I realized I did not verify that I took my phone out. I must have left it on the charger at home. 

Drats! I did not want to go back home to retrieve it. So it is either abandon the attempt or power through it. I opted to stay. I started my CQ sequence. My hope is that I can get a responder to spot me. I resolved to complete the activation irrespective of how long it took. 

I was getting increasingly despondent as my CQs went unanswered. As I was surveying my environs I spotted a car making its way slowly through the parking lot. It bore an uncanny resemblance to my vehicle. You know the feeling you get when you spot another vehicle on the road that is the same make and model as yours? There is a fleeting and tenuous feeling of kinship that seems to bind you to the other driver. You're curious about the other person who made the same choice as you. You want to at least get a look at the other person. I had the same feeling here especially where the color choice was also identical.

The car wound its way through the parking lot. After a few moments, it was making a beeline towards me. Hmm..this is interesting. As the car got closer, I realized it was my son who was driving it. He had realized I left my phone at home and had made the trip to the park to hand if off to me! Needless to say I was dumbfounded. A better Father's day gift I could not imagine!