I was walking across the Friendship Trail Bridge, deep in thought, melting in the heat, when suddenly a loud booming voice said, "You are in a restricted area. You will need to leave immediately." The loudness and the words were startling enough but it was coming from a Coast Guard helicopter.

As I turned and looked at it coming closer and closer, I realized that they were addressing some fishermen who were anchored near the bridge supports fishing.

They immediately responded and left as instructed.

I smiled to myself as this incident triggered a memory of a time years and years ago.

My sons, Tom and Jim, and I were driving from Unicoi to Johnson City, Tennessee. We had just seen a helicopter flying overhead when suddenly the car began to shake, there was a loud thundering sound, the car was difficult to control. "Oh no, the helicopter has landed ontop of the car," I screamed in panic. I pulled the car onto the shoulder and stopped.

As I did, I saw the helicopter flying off into the horizon. I looked at the top of the car. No damage.
"How could that be?" Just then the boys discovered we had a flat tire.

Things aren't always what they seem (smile).