My husband and I recently traveled to the Pacific NW to spend some time with our son and his wife and our precious granddaughters before they head off to Okinawa for the next three years! It was a good and sometimes scary visit.The first couple of days, our son graciously carted us out to see the Oregon/Washington coastline--including good views of the Pacific Ocean and a trip to the Aquarium. Later, he took us to the Clarke County Fair--the girls had never been to a fair and it had been some time since we'd been to one. I spent the third day chilling out with his wife and girls visiting the local craft stores and buying future projects.
The fourth day I wanted to take the girls some place special--like a jumping place (they're 4 and 6 yrs. old) or a big habitrail like McDonalds but better--maybe a Kiddieland. Megumi found a great place and meanwhile one of their friends asked to come along. No problem. What was I thinking?!
Suddenly, I was being handed the keys to their Honda mini-van and complete responsibility for 3 young girls with printed directions on how to get to this place about 8 miles and 15 minutes away.
Of course, the girls were excited and jabbering away as we approached the van. I had the keys but no idea how to unlock it. Luckily, one of the buttons I pushed did the trick and they all piled in. Thankfully, the 4 yr. old knows how to buckle herself into her car seat; the others are big enough not to need such an appliance. I figured out how to close the door and climbed into the cockpit.
And that's exactly what it appeared to me--like an airplane cockpit! I drive a minivan--have for the past five years. But it's a Chrysler and by now I've got it pretty much figured out. It also has a built in navigation system whose well-modulated voice gently tells me when to turn as well as how far away from the turn I am. In addition, there's a screen which I can glance at to get a feel for where I am.
The van I was about to drive had no such amenities. It does have lots of others, though, complete with buttons to operate them all. However, being unfamiliar with the vehicle, I had no idea to what those buttons were attached.
My first mission was to figure out how to adjust my seat and -- oh yes--the mirrors. Also, since they were going through a heat wave--how the heck do you turn on the a/c? Coming from TX--it's automatically on all the time!
I warned the girls to keep the volume in the back seat down to a low roar so I could concentrate on my driving. Keep in mind my previous posts--the 4 accidents and 5 driving violations! To put it bluntly--I was scared to death!
With my left thumb plastering the map directions (thankfully printed in large type!--I'm nearsighted at best!) against the steering wheel, and the rest of my fingers gripping it from behind, I attempted to figure out where to put the key -- in other words, where the heck is the ignition!? I have discovered over the course of time that if one points the key tip in the general direction of where one thinks the ignition is the key will generally find its way and this was the case this time.
Once I started the van, I was ready to take off. At least the first part of the trip was somewhat familiar as I'd driven it before in previous visits. But it soon came time to enter an expressway.
Some time back I remember Wayne Dwyer expounding about an aunt of his who would no longer drive in the Detroit area because she couldn't figure out how to merge. Well, I'm 66 yrs. old and although I come from the Chicago area and I'm not quite to that point yet--I'm beginning to understand this aunt very well!
In any case, I did find the ramp and made it on to the expressway. Luckily, the directions noted an exit number and once found I could even get off the expressway nearly as easily as I'd gotten on. Now for the next trick of finding the side road on which this playland was located.
I found it! But, much to my dismay and the dismay of the girls in the back seat, no such animal existed there! The best I could do was Gold's Gym--not appropriate for 4 and 6 yr. olds. Exploring every driveway and alley did not turn up the destination. My only recourse was to exit out onto the highway (at least it was only a 4 laner and not an expressway!) and continue my search down the road. Maybe they moved the thing!
Sure enough, about a block later, the kids and I both spotted it. Of course, not before I'd passed it up necessitating a U turn before I got so far down the road I couldn't find my way back! Success! Entry into the parking lot was relatively simple and I breathed a sigh of relief as I released my hostages from the back seat! Everyone was still in one piece!
Entering Kids Club (Fun and Fitness!) seemed a piece of cake--until, after signing everyone in, we realized that the friend had not worn her sox. Nice people from Kids Club to the rescue providing mismatched but workable sox that Adrianna was willing to wear (thank goodness). The girls were off for their own adventures.
I scoped out the place to get the lay of the land, took a few pictures for posterity, and settled down with the book I'd thought to bring. As expected, they were good for well over an hour before their appetites kicked in. I was prepared! So was Kids Club offering kid-type meals! Even better, for the most part except for drinks, everyone wanted the same thing. Piece of cake!
To be continued.........
Peace and love,
Carol
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