Cats Are Predictably Unpredictable

Sleeping In & Another Surprise for Periwinkle

Periwinkle is happy she didn’t have to awaken before first light for today’s adventure; though, she has no idea know why not. When she does get up, she has a little extra time to groom her furs to look extra nice for Stinky. At the appropriate time she enters her teleportation tunnel and moments later lands in Stinky’s waiting paws. The two share several whisker kisses and paw hugs before Periwinkle asks about today’s adventure. As usual, Stinky’s lips are sealed. He just takes her paw and leads her back into the tunnel.

 

 

When they arrive at their destination and emerge from the teleportation tunnel, Periwinkle’s eyes light up with amazement when she sees the structure looming in front of them. She immediately starts to panic as she fears Stinky is here to climb the behemoth. She gives him a worried look, and he immediately knows what she is thinking. Stinky hugs her and assures her he has no intention of doing any climbing. He doesn’t want to go swimming and does not think he would survive the more than 75-foot drop to the water below should he lose his balance.

So, where the heck are our two adventurers today? They are standing on the San Francisco side of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Golden Gate Bridge

Periwinkle says, “Now I know why I got to sleep in today. It’s three hours earlier here than at home. But why have we come to this scary place?”

“In two days the Golden Gate Bridge will celebrate the 85th anniversary of the first people crossing the bridge. May 27, 1937, was Pedestrian Day and some 200,000 people walked across the bridge that day. Lots of people were striving at being the first to do something historic, like run or roller skate across the bridge. One person actually walked across on stilts.”

“Do you think any cats crossed the bridge that day?” asks Periwinkle.

“I don’t know, Periwinkle. Maybe someone carried one across in a basket. I don’t think any kitty would have taken the chance of being trampled by one of the pedestrians. That is sort of why we are here today. We are going to leisurely stroll the 1.7 miles across on the sidewalk before crowds show up two days from now. That will take us to Marin County. I set the coordinates for the teleportation tunnel to meet us there.”

“Wow Stinky, that is a really long walk. It’s almost double the distance you went on your walkabout. Do you think we are up for it?”

 

 

“I believe we can do it. I brought snacks, so we can stop often, rest and have a nibble. And I am certain if we get too tired, we can flag down a motorist to take us across.”

“Okay, let’s get started. We’re burning daylight,” says Periwinkle. The two join paws and begin their journey. “Are you going to tell me some facts about the bridge?” Periwinkle asks.

Stinky giggles. Periwinkle knows him so well. “You bet, Periwinkle. What would you like to know?” She tells Stinky to pick what he thinks is most interesting.

“Okay, how’s this? You know my dad and mom were both born and raised in California. As a young girl, along with her mom, dad and sister, she crossed the bridge often. You see an aunt and uncle and cousins lived on the Marin side of the bridge, and Mom lived on the San Francisco side. She told me she was always frightened when they were on the bridge. She was certain it would collapse, their car would plummet into the water and they’d all die.”

“Stinky, I feel so bad that she thought that. Could it actually happen?”

Some Facts

“I don’t think so. At the fiftieth anniversary celebration in 1987, 800,000 people showed up. With 300,000 people crammed onto the bridge it began to sway. The middle of the bridge actually flattened and sagged seven feet. It was closed to the remainder of the crowd.”

“Boy, Stinky, I bet your mom really would have been scared if she’d been here then!” exclaims Periwinkle. Stinky agrees.

“Why do you think they painted the bridge orange?” asks Periwinkle.

Stinky tells her that when they get home she can read all about that on this website: “6 Things You May Not Know About the Golden Gate Bridge.” He does tell her, however, suggestions for paint colors included yellow and black stripes or red and white stripes to improve visibility in the fog. Periwinkle giggles as she imagines the bridge as a huge candy cane.

About a third of the way across, Periwinkle asks Stinky if they can rest. He pulls the Temptations and a bottle of water from his backpack. They sit and eat their snack with their backs to the cars so they can watch the bay and the seagulls.

 

 

After their snack, they feel refreshed and begin walking again. Periwinkle asks Stinky the height of the towers that carry the suspension cables. Stinky replies, “The towers are 746 feet high, and the bridge is 90 feet wide.”

“I sure am happy you have no desire to climb one of the towers,” Periwinkle tells Stinky. Stinky explains that he has the desire but is using his willpower and common sense not to do so.

Hendrick Point

 

When the tabbies finally reach the Marin County side of the bridge, they head to Hendrick Point for another snack and rest.  While enjoying their Temptations and Fancy Feast, a local kitty looking for a handout approaches the tabbies.

 

 

They happily share their noms with the friendly fellow and visit for a while before settling down for a nice nap. When they awake, they take time to admire the view.

 

 

“Wow, this is such an incredible view. You always find the best places for adventures,” Periwinkle tells Stinky while giving him a big paw hug and whisker kiss.

After hugging Periwinkle back, Stinky leads Periwinkle to the teleportation tunnel, which is waiting a few yards away. Before Periwinkle can ask where they are going, the tunnel whisks them away with a whoosh.

Treasure Island

Upon exiting the tunnel, Stinky tells Periwinkle they are on Treasure Island, which was a naval station from 1937 until its closure in 1997. Dad Tom and Mom Janet were married in the chapel there in 1973. The tabbies have come to view the sunset before heading back home.

They find a good place to wait, and Stinky gives Periwinkle a list of websites where she and their readers can find out lots more  about the Golden Gate Bridge.

• 8 Surprising Facts About the Golden Gate Bridge
• Peeling Away the Myth About How the Golden Gate Bridge is Painted
• Golden Gate Bridge

Finally the sun begins to set. Stinky puts his paw around Periwinkle’s shoulders, and she drops her head to his.

 

 

They watch the sunset together and “ooh and aah” over the beauty. When the sun is finally down, the kitties head for the teleportation tunnel for the quick trip back to Stinky’s house. The three hour time difference makes it very late when they arrive at Stinky’s house. Unbeknownst to Periwinkle, Mom Sharon has given permission for Periwinkle to spend the night. So after another quick snack with some meds for Sawyer, the tabbies retire for the night.

 

The End

Periwinkle and Stinky are participating in the Happy Tuesday blog hop at Comedy Plus.

 

 

 

 

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