Very well written, and mirrors many of my sentiments and experiences.

When I was about 11-13 years old (a long long time ago) a friend and I just started riding our pieced together balloon tire bikes one day with no particular destination in mind. We did not think think things through, and found ourselves a long way from home as late afternoon approached; about the time we were thinking about turning around. We were bright enough to know we would not make it home before dark. My parents did not have a car so we had to call my buddy's folks and "fess up". We figured the punishment for calling and asking for a ride would be a lot less than what we would receive for getting home late, on our bikes, and in the dark. We had made it 35 miles However, I have to qualify the distance. That was about 60 years ago, and the size of fish and distances seem to grow over the years;and I am a fisherman! While feigning mild displeasure with at us for our antics, I really think my parents were secretly proud of us.