Up, up and away

We arose, I showered, Evelyn showered and went for a short walk. I had to go in to get Andrew for our trip to the 4-H science meeting. We arrived too early and found registration in progress. There were “seminars” on forestry, and gun safety. Some of the presenters called and cancelled. I went to a post office that had only a stamp machine. Evelyn wanted some post card stamps and this post office sold only 23 cent stamps, not the new rate of 24 cents. I could not believe it. I went to a local drug store and bought some fish oil that I had run out of and returned to the 4-h site. The kids were beginning to make bottle rockets for launching later in the morning. At 11:30 everything stopped so there could be a hot air balloon launching. There were 30 gallon garbage bags that the kids held over a popcorn air popper with a large can on top. The can had both ends removed. It was interesting to see how long the bag would stay up. Some lasted more than 12 seconds after rising 12 feet in the air. The event ended and the kids returned for the launching. Only two ever made it into the air. The two liter bottles were half filled with water, vinegar and baking soda. There was an air hose attached to the bottle causing the mixture to bubble. A small metal tube was taped to the side of each rocket and slipped over a 3 foot metal rod to direct it into the air. We were all disappointed when the hose stopped attaching to the rockets. At any rate, we then left for home because I was hungry and Andrew was only playing tag with the other kids who were killing time while awaiting the next aborted launch. Evelyn had stayed with Elizabeth (who was still sick) and Stephen while Emily, Noah, and Rosalie went to a wedding. After we were all home, Evelyn and I went to Trader Joe’s to buy three cases of wine to take back. The wine called “two buck Chuck” cost exactly that and is quite good as a surprise to most people encountering it for the first time. I noticed a Saturn dealership and went in to make an appointment to have the oil changed next Monday at 11:00. We also went to Wal-Mart for some supplies for our mad rush back east. Since it was after 6 when we finished, we went to a Panera Bread restaurant for a sandwich and salad. We returned home, visited with Emily and went out to bed. Their plans may have changed because they have learned that the temperature at Mammoth Lakes for next week is predicted at 64-74 degrees, not a good environment for snow skiing. We may leave here before they do!