By Eddie Hudon
Mayday”…the definition is an emergency word used internationally as a distress signal. I think we all know that, but have you ever needed to use it?
This story starts out in December, 2002. It was only 3 months after my wife and I came back from one of my favorite places, ever – Almont, Colorado. You see, we go there once a year in September, for my birthday, to fish the Taylor and Gunnison Rivers. In December of 2002, I had a blockage in my heart, in the lower left artery. Just before surgery, I said to the surgeon, “if I come out of this in one piece, I’m going to Colorado in May, then again in September.” Well, it turned out okay, and Dottie, my wife, and I headed off to Colorado. Everyone was worried about me, so to reassure them that I was playing it safe, I would take some walkie-talkie’s with me. The first day, we tested them out. “Hi Dot, can you hear me? 10-4.” Dottie replied, “Yes, how do you feel. 10-4.” “I feel good…going fishing. 10-4.” I checked in at the office to leave a walkie-talkie with them in case I needed help. We know the owners, as well as the other people in the office, very well. Nice people. So, I went down to the river to find a spot that I could fish without taking any chances.
After a while, I got a little braver, moving around as if nothing ever happened to me. Then, while hoping from rock to rock, I fell, lost my breath, and hurt myself, losing consciousness. (What a dumb move!) Gaining consciousness, I grabbed my walkie-talkie and called out the infamous words. “Mayday! – Mayday! No answer…Mayday! – Mayday! Still no answer. I laid there, dazed, thinking, “can’t they hear me?”
Mayday! – Mayday! Finally, I got an answer; “ED WE’RE BUSY SERVING LUNCH, QUIT FOOLING AROUND.” “I’m not fooling around, I’m down river and need help!” I replied.
“YOUR’RE SUCH A KIDDER.” Was the response. Twenty minutes later, I regrouped, picked myself up, and started walking back to the office. Once I got there, I saw the owner, Steve. He said, “ED, YOU KNOW BETTER THAN TO PULL THAT STUNT, ESPECIALLY DURING LUNCH. IT’S BUSY AS HELL.” I just looked at him and said, “I apologize Steve…you’re right, I should know better, but I almost got you!” I had lunch and went back to my cabin to meet my wife. She said, “Well, how did you do?” I said, “I think these walkie-talkie’s are a waste of time. I had trouble trying to get you. Must have been out of range.” Dottie said, “That’s okay, honey. At least it’s a beautiful MAY DAY!”