So there we were, all packed up and on our way to make a day for ourselves. What a wonderful way to honor those who have made great sacrifices on our behalf. We were on our way first to a barbeque in Wilber Park, Oneonta, then on to Gilbert Lake for a little swim. Mira's FIRST swim! Some times getting ready and all packed for the day is such a feat that I don't even think we need the rest of the day - all of the day's accomplishments could be justified by that hour or two it takes to just get ready and packed for two 30somethings and one child. But not today, we were on a mission, a mission for fun, sunshine, and thoughtful ambition. And there we were, on the road.
On the road with the sun beating down in the car with no air conditioning, making the thought of swimming seem so much better. Right as I was thinking about how much I love to plan swimming on a nice hot day, I looked to the other side of the road. There was a man there, sitting on his motorcycle. My first thought was "That's odd, men on motorbikes don't usually stop to the side of the road." Odd indeed, and no, they don't. There was obviously something wrong with the bike. Then I realized I knew that man! Thank goodness I was driving, I didn't have to say my urgencies out loud and ask to turn around! I just said "Oh, no, Brendan, I know that guy, we have to turn around and see if he's alright!"
He was alright, but the bike was pooped. Something wrong with the clutch. He and Brendan messed around with some adjustments for a while thanks to some wrenches on loan from the Barnyard Swing. But not before I called AAA to see if they could help us out.
Did you know AAA does not handle motorcycles? I didn't either. Not until today when I needed the help.
Anywhat, There we all were, blazing in the hot sun from around 1:30 til around 4:30 or maybe even as late as 5. Too late to go to a barbeque AND go swimming. Realizing we may not get another chance to go all together for a swimming adventure for the rest of the summer, we decided to grab a bite to eat on the way to the lake. That's what we had packed all that stuff for, anyway! If we didn't just go swimming, we'd have gone through all that work for nothing! And I made home made lemonade, damnit!
So off we went for Mira's first swim. Did you know you cannot use any floatation devices not regulated by the Coast Guard at Gilbert Lake? We didn't either. So the cute little bumper boat we brought for Mira, complete with sun visor sat with the towels while we had a scary (for Mira) but good time. Before we knew it, it was 6:30 and time to pack up again and go. We will have to make another day of it.
As for the motorcycle? Well, after at least 3 hours of messing around with it, our friend pushed himself to a slight decline and popped that clutch into 2nd or 3rd gear and off he went! We don't know what gear he went into, because once that baby went, he was GONE. Beautiful bike too, at least it looked good while it was sitting there on the side of the road.
We called the number of a friend of his whom he had called from our phone to come out to help and made sure he made it home okay. He did.
All is well that ends well.
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