Winner, Winner!

 

We are the champions, my friends...

        Now I know more mystical-minded readers out there may interpret the fact that we just won a free National Parks Pass as a sign from the universe that we are destined to take this trip. The gods of luck and fortune truly must be shining down upon us. If that's your take, I have no problem with it. But the reality is a little more mundane.

    Anne was shopping at our local recently-opened Sierra, an outdoor gear store, when she noticed a sign on the door advertising a contest for a free National Parks Pass. Usually something like this wouldn't merit a second thought, because, really, who ever wins these things? But a couple of factors jumped out at her:

1. A lack of obvious promotional material. This was an easy contest to miss.
2. The sign said one winner would be chosen from every store. There aren't a ton of National Parks/Monuments in our area, so a pass like this probably wouldn't rank high on people's radar.
3. When she asked about it, the clerk didn't have much info, and had to dig around a bit for an entry form.

    Taking all of this into account, Anne judged the odds were in our favor and applied, and then had me do so online. After the deadline passed with no word, we figured we hadn't won and moved on. We even tried to purchase a pass on a recent visit to Cape Cod National Seashore, but they didn't have any. Lucky for us they didn't, because this email popped up in my inbox yesterday. 

    Free access to every National Park, Monument, Forest and Historical Site for one year, just when we need it. Is it serendipity or simply a case of cold statistical analysis? Either way, it's a win in my book.