Walmart Pants

When my husband and I took an overnight trip to visit family and go to a Billy Bob Thornton concert last week, we also got our first canoe ride courtesy of our grandson. All we had to do was sit there and relax. Unfortunately the canoe only had a “seat” for two people on either side, but enough space to fit someone in the middle. So I got the seat up front, and clutched the sides as he paddled along. My husband got to sit on the floor of the moving craft. By the end of the adventure, the back side of his pants were soaking wet and “filthy!” Since this was the only time he didn’t bring along a spare pair, we decided we better stop somewhere and get something! So we drove to Walmart and we dashed in. Our grandson said no one would notice. And if they did, they would probably ask “how was the fishing?” As he was searching for school supplies with his mom, we found the men’s department and took the first pair that was the right size - without trying them on. They ended up being fine, but probably a size too big. So when we got back to the house, he threw his good jeans in to the washing machine and came out looking great. Now he has an extra pair to wear around the house. They are probably not exactly what he would have gotten in less stressful shopping excursions, but you can’t go wrong at $16.99. 

Canoe Trip on the James River

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We took a semi unplanned overnight trip to Virginia. We decided to get tickets to see Billy Bob Thornton Boxmasters on a Monday and left Friday morning for the concert that evening. But it just so happens our family also lives there so we had two good reasons to visit. It takes about four hours to our destination and we got an unexpected treat from our grandson. His family have some land along the James River in what we would call the wilderness, and are starting to build a house on the property. But in the meantime they are enjoying the riverside and the water. Neither my husband nor I are in to the great outdoors. It’s nice to visit, but we wouldn’t want to live there or participate in activities associated with the great outdoors. So when we went to the homestead site, our grandson thought it might be a good idea to have a canoe trip. All we had to do was sit in the canoe, and he would do all the work. So we got on our life jackets, got in the canoe, and hung on to the sides with a steady grip. Because all we had to do was sit there, it was pleasant enough, but I didn’t care for the wobbly nature of the trip, and I didn’t have a hat or sunglasses on. But it was a fine retreat from the usual DC nonsense. Unfortunately all the animals and birds were hiding in the afternoon heat but the dragonflies were everywhere. The scenery was lovely but I do prefer the solid ground under my feet or a pontoon boat that doesn’t tip. The idea of snakes and bears doesn’t appeal us either. We were very impressed with our grandson’s knowledge and eagerness about the outdoors. And that’s what made this little excursion worth it. 

Voyageur Outward Bound Canoe Trip and Snail Mail

For the third time, our grandson is on an Outward Bound expedition for three weeks. Two years ago he was on the Appalachian Trail; last year he was in the Rocky Mountains; and this year he is in or near Canada for a three week canoe trip. The last two years he has flown alone to the starting destination. It was Deluth, Minnesota a week ago for this one. From there, they headed north to further explore the great outdoors. Our daughter in law sent us an update on the progress written by the guy in charge - no more cell phones or contact with the outside world. But hidden in the text was a general “request” to send hard copy letters - like in the old days - that would be distributed to the weary travelers on their final day. After “surviving” in the wilderness it’s always nice to hear from family or otherwise. So I thought my husband and I would contribute to the letter campaign and took out a piece of paper and starting writing - in script. It’s been so long I almost forgot how to do it! Kiddingly I wanted to know if our grandson had as much trouble even reading it as I had writing it. So we sent it off from Grandma and Grandpa, hoping it reaches him in plenty of time. Our grandson is exactly fifty years younger than me, which makes it easy to remember how old he is, but even harder to believe how time flies. It’s really nice that he has an opportunity to participate in all these experiences - it all sounds more like torture to me. If it’s had any impact on him, I think it’s all been very positive. But I think he will become a really nice person with or without it. It’s nice to put that in writing.