We definitely had an adventure today! The day's unexpected events gave us the opportunity to teach a handful of lessons to the kids.
Lesson 1: Analyze the Situation and Make a Smart Choice
As we were loading the last bag in the car, Logan climbed up the basketball pole. He has been pushing his climbing limits lately and while it's impressive, he was bound to get hurt. So he inch-wormed his way up the basketball pole, touched the rim, and then slid back down. When he slid down, he caught his shin on a bolt connecting the pole to the base. He whimpered, but didn't scream. I checked on him and noticed a gouge out of his leg! Ouch!
We were just going to bandage it up and be on our way, but since we were heading out of the country for a week, we reconsidered. Even though a trip to the doctor meant adjusting our departure plans, adding a little time, and likely costing a couple hundred dollars in doctor bills, we would know what to watch for and wouldn't be worried about it for the week.
I took Breck and Logan to the doctor while Shawn, Mya, Mikayla and Ry drove up to Zimmerman to pick up the RV and start heading north.
Sure enough, the doc took a look at his injury and said he needed stitches. He didn't cry the entire time at the doc and was a little nervous, but not really scared (although he probably didn't understand the words injection, stitches, and numb. The doctor was so impressed at how still he was during the whole thing. And he wasn't freaked out about how it looked afterward. He actually thought it was pretty cool. He was excited to show his dad and Ry his stitches. So, unfortunately, I don't think this incident will be a deterrent from climbing!
Sure enough, the doc took a look at his injury and said he needed stitches. He didn't cry the entire time at the doc and was a little nervous, but not really scared (although he probably didn't understand the words injection, stitches, and numb. The doctor was so impressed at how still he was during the whole thing. And he wasn't freaked out about how it looked afterward. He actually thought it was pretty cool. He was excited to show his dad and Ry his stitches. So, unfortunately, I don't think this incident will be a deterrent from climbing!
Lesson 2: Don't Be in Too Much of a Hurry to Do the Right Thing
So we were finally on our way, and then I got a call saying the group in the RV had pulled over just after Hinckley. They had to stop to let the brakes cool down.
While it was a bummer to break the momentum of finally feeling on our way, having them stop allowed my car to catch up with the rest of the group. We hung out for a bit, determined the brakes were good, and were back on track.
While it was a bummer to break the momentum of finally feeling on our way, having them stop allowed my car to catch up with the rest of the group. We hung out for a bit, determined the brakes were good, and were back on track.
Lesson 3: Be Patient, Be Persistent, Be Thankful
About an hour later, we blew a tire on the RV. At this point, with a few setbacks, it would be easy to be grumpy about the situation. But patience and persistence were on our side.
Shawn talked with his parents, AAA, and a local tire shop and made a plan for the repair.
After blowing a rear tire, we decided to replace all six of the tires. While we were making these decisions, Logan, Brecken and I walked around Canal Park to burn some of their energy.
We were thankful that we had the option to replace the tires so everyone was safe. Blowing a front tire along the North Shore or getting a flat in remote Canada would be a much different scenario than being within the conveniences of Duluth.
4 hours later, the RV group met the rest of us up at Judge CR Magney State Park (20 min north of Grand Marais).
The whole day was a reminder to go with the flow, make smart choices, be patient, and enjoy the journey - regardless of what it throws at you.
We were thankful that we had the option to replace the tires so everyone was safe. Blowing a front tire along the North Shore or getting a flat in remote Canada would be a much different scenario than being within the conveniences of Duluth.
4 hours later, the RV group met the rest of us up at Judge CR Magney State Park (20 min north of Grand Marais).
The whole day was a reminder to go with the flow, make smart choices, be patient, and enjoy the journey - regardless of what it throws at you.
We had a yummy taco dinner at the campsite and a bonfire to kick off the trip.
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