"Pennsylvania, here we come." Phillip said and laughed. "You excited, honey?" He asked his wife, Michelle.
Michelle just rolled her eyes and leaned back in her seat. Phillip Santelli and his wife, Michelle, were traveling to Columbia County, Pennsylvania. Making the trip from New York in their RV. Phillip was a bigfoot hunter, fascinated by the tale since he was a child. He went on regular trips to different places, making attempts to discover the creature.
Michelle has never found the topic of bigfoot interesting, in fact, she thinks it's downright foolish. After years of annoyance and begging, she finally gave in and agreed to come with Phillip on his trip.
"Aww, come on now. I'm sure you'll love it when you get there." Phillip said.
"I highly doubt that, Phil. I'm a city girl, my place isn't in the woods." Michelle replied snappishly.
Michelle and Phillip were high school sweethearts. Marrying soon after they graduated from high school. Twenty-six years of marriage has been a long road. Michelle takes pride in her appearance, unlike her husband. At 44, Michelle was still quite a catch, with her long red hair, big brown eyes and toned body. Her 34DD bust doesn't hurt either.
Her husband on the other hand, was the complete opposite. A fat slob, to be honest. Michelle reflects often of the old days, and the man she fell in love with. A strapping young man with broad shoulders with an italian, tought guy attitude. A far cry from what she has now.
"You're wrong, Michelle. Totally wrong. It's beautiful up there this time of year." Phillip told her.
"Tell me something, Phil. Over the years, after all the trips, have you even seen anything that suggests that bigfoot could exist?" Michelle asked.
"Well, no. I mean, I haven't seen one, but that doesn't mean they're not real. Seeing one is all about luck. But, Arnold has seen one. He swears by it!" Phillip explained.
"Oh sure, I bet Arnold has. Tell me, is Arnold still living with his mom?" Michelle asked.
"What's that got to do with anything?" Phillip replied.
Michelle scoffed and shook her head. Phillip's buddies were joining them on their 'search'. Mike and Arnold. Mike was a divorcee and drew a disability check, he had a lot of free time. Arnold was a thirty something, fast food worker who lived with his mom. Michelle loathed the idea of spending a weekend with them in the woods.
The Santelli's soon arrived in Red Mountain. Michelle had never been there, but had seen pictures took by Phillip. She laughed when she saw the campsite, in a rec area.
"Really?" Michelle exclaimed.
Phillip turned to Michelle with a look of confusion, "What?"
"This is where you intend to find bigfoot? In a public camping area?" Michelle scoffed.
"This is where most of the sightings have happened. Bigfoots have been seen out here, peeping in tents and stealing food. This is a great place to search." Phillip explained.
As they pulled into the campsite, Michelle saw Mike and Arnold. She never met them, but heard plenty about them from her husband. Phillip put in the RV in park and immediately hopped out to greet his friends.
"Hey!" Phillip yelled as he ran to Mike and Arnold with open arms.
The guys shared a group hug and greeted one another. Michelle stepped out and went to greet them herself.
"Well, golly! That's a woman!" Mike complimented her.
Michelle could already sense ignorance, but she forced a smile, "Hi." She replied.
"Wow! Just, wow! Phillip showed us a few pictures of you, but damn. You're even prettier in person." Arnold said.
"Thanks. That's very kind of you to say." Michelle said with a nervous grin.
"Alright, that's enough of you guys ogling my wife. Let's get to business." Phillip demanded.
The guys huddled in a group and started discussing their 'strategy'. Michelle looked around at the camping grounds and noticed how laid-back it was. There were vending machines and picnic tables. Not really the setup for a few days of roughing it.
"Like the fucking boy scouts." Michelle uttered.
"Hey, honey! We're gonna get some firewood, be back in a little bit!" Phillip yelled as he walked with Mike and Arnold to the treeline.
Michelle slapped her neck and winced, the bugs were awful there. She huffed and stomped her foot, "Why did I come here? This is stupid!" She snapped.
***
A few hours later, the men had a campfire going and were roasting wieners over the open fire. It was late in the evening now and the sun had almost gone down. Michelle stepped out of the RV, wearing a flannel shirt over her tank top and had a pair of jean shorts on. As she sat by the fire with the guys, she slapped her leg and growled with irritation.
"Honey, the extra clothing was a good idea, but pants would have been a much better idea." Phillip observed and chuckled.
"I didn't bring any pants. I didn't know the bugs up here were gonna be such a pain!" Michelle said.
"Well thank goodness for that! Lovely legs like that, shouldn't be covered." Arnold said.
Michelle leered at Arnold and simply ignored his comment.
"Arnold, come on man. That's Phil's wife. Show a little respect." Mike said.