15 Minutes of fun

Sometimes fun is experienced in 15 minute flashes that make memories you hope are not forgotten. Yesterday we learned there would be an RC airplane show in Big Rapids. As this is another desired hobby for the family it seemed like a great idea. It isn’t too far from here and one of the directions we have not yet explored. There was a long list of things to accomplish today including me supposedly staying off my leg (a long story for another day). When summer days are so beautiful it’s a shame to spend the entire time just doing chores. Our original thought was get up early, get things done and use the trip to Big Rapids as a surprise reward for work well done. However, since we stayed up way too late our morning didn’t go quite as planned. The list is still not complete and yet we took the time for some fun anyway.

The drive to the plane show would be about 1 hour. We did not want to mention we were going to an airport or one of the children would be quite disappointed that we would not be getting on an airplane once arriving, so much for the surprise. The trip began with one child insisting on watching a particular DVD checked out from the library this week – Sing Yourself Sillier at the Movies (a very obnoxious but entertaining, for him, Sesame Street compilation). While backing out of the driveway we realize the DVD player which was grabbed from the hallway (we do not keep DVD players in the car unless we are doing a LONG trip) had a dead battery. OH well. After one short stop at the bike shop we headed off to pick up lunch. It was pushing 2pm and the show only went until 5pm. No one had eaten lunch yet as we were too busy trying to get things done. A stop at McDonalds was in motion (even though one member of the family really doesn’t like the food!!) as it was on the way and the only place that direction going out of town. No one wanted to run in and the drive through was REALLY backed up. So it was suggested we simply drive on. The warning was given that it was likely we would not find something until we got to Big Rapids as the towns we were going through would be quite small. We proceeded anyway. No entertainment but books, scenery, chatting and the worst – hungry stomachs, you would have thought we had just put the children in a torture chamber. Reminders to keep hands to self, whining and moaning made the idea of turning around quite enticing. Just why do we try to do extra things if this is what it’s all about? Half way there a Subway was identified inside a gas station but not until the car was well beyond the ability to turn in. To Big Rapids it will be!

Just before reaching Big Rapids an Arby’s was spotted. Almost everyone was happy. So we follow the directions which interestingly took us right into a neighborhood of nicer homes. We all thought what an strange place to have a plane show. Upon further investigation the address we had turned out to be for the person in charge of the show not the actual place! Our hour long blissful and joyous drive was looking like a wasted effort. We continued down a main road and checked to see if anyone knew where an airport was around here. Eventually going the opposite direction we had been heading got us there just about 4pm. The event was only scheduled to go until 5pm. Two very similar planes were being prepped for flight. Soon we heard actual jet engines start up. COOL! Then we had our 15 minutes of fun. We watched two planes take off one after the other and give us quite a show. After that they began to clean up the area and so we had to leave. The show was over. The 15 minutes of real happiness was immediately overshadowed by lack of desire to turn around and go home, after all we just got here! JOY, another hour of car happiness! Everyone back in the car, keep your hands inside (and to yourself), buckle up we are going for a ride – HOME.

In a day or week or month or more we really do think or maybe we should say HOPE that what is remembered is the 15 minutes of great entertainment and nothing else!