A few years ago I was camping with my family in Maine and several of them wanted to go on a hike in the morning. They asked me if I’d like to join them and I said, “No, I think I’ll stay here and read my book.” The book I was reading was one of Harlan Coben’s Myron Bolitar novels. If you’ve never read one of his books you should. While you’re at it, read all of them as he’s my favorite author and his novels are excellent. Anyway, while reading this book I came across a section in the story where Myron starts drinking a bottle of Yoo-hoo, his favorite drink. Like a cheeseburger in a TV commercial, I responded like a Pavlovian dog and was instantly in the mood for the chocolaty goodness of Yoo-hoo.
My cell phone reception wasn’t great since we were on a remote campground in Maine, so I walked over to the booth by the entrance gate and asked the person on duty, “Is there a convenience store nearby?” He proceeded to tell me, “Yeah. Exit here, make a left and follow the road around the bend a mile or so and it’ll be on your right.” I did that. In the sweltering heat, I decided to take what felt like a several-mile walk on a road with no sidewalk on my quest for a bottle of Yoo-hoo. Eventually, after sweating profusely and wondering what I got myself into, I came upon the convenience store. I walked inside, located the cold drinks refrigerator, searched for the unmistakable bright yellow bottle and found it. I grabbed a Yoo-hoo and a snack, S’Mores Pop-Tarts, and headed for the cash register.
After paying for the Yoo-hoo and Pop-Tarts, I noticed that there was a counter to sit and eat so I did so. I sat down next to a large bearded man wearing overalls. While I ate my Pop-Tarts and washed them down with Yoo-hoo, he and I spoke about crabbing in Maine, an area in which I have zero expertise. Like everyone I’ve met in Maine, he was friendly and had a charming accent. Upon the completion of my sugary meal, I bid him adieu and was on my way. As the door closed behind me and my sneakers hit the hot pavement below me, I thought to myself, “What if they didn’t have Yoo-hoo?” This, along with the fact, that I walked potentially more than I would have had I gone on the hike with my family made everyone laugh when I shared this story with them upon their return. What would you do for a Klondike bar? In my case, it’s what would I do for a Yoo-hoo?! Apparently, a lot.
