Boat Repair Weekend

Dustin's family has a Memorial Day tradition. It involves small engines, rocket-fuel, picnics, and paddle-boats.

Dustin's aunt and uncle live on an amazingly beautiful acreage with a lovely pond. There are romantic weeping willows surrounding the pond, beautiful flowers all around, and usually even a pony or two to complete the idyllic nature of this scene. This is where Dustin and I were married seven years ago. It really holds a special place in our hearts.

The first time I went to this place was on a Memorial Day weekend about ten years ago. What I experienced was nothing short of a rite of passage into his family. For about six hours I saw Dustin, his father, his uncle, and all other males present attempt to get model boats to shoot across the pond. In case you are wondering where the rocket fuel fits in -- I guess batteries are for losers in this competition. The object is to build the biggest, baddest boat, load it up with rocket fuel, launch it onto the beautiful pond, and embarrass one's competition. The men spend hours before this day each year putting together their boats. Some (I won't mention any names) even risk life and limb and end up in the ER the day before the races because of unfortunate run-ins with moving propellers. They spend more hours the day of the competition talking smack and tinkering some more with their boats. Sometimes the boats even make it onto the water for more than 5 seconds much to the utter joy of the audience attending the Boat Race Competition. When the boats die on the pond, the youngest/most naive apprentice is sent out in the paddle-boat to retrieve them.

While there is a plethora of boats, there are really no races at this event. Therefore this year the name was officially changed to "Boat Repair Weekend" to more accurately reflect the goings-on of the day(s). This year Jaden was a bit young to enter the competition of repairing a boat. But, on the drive home Dustin started talking about the boat he (and Jaden) will be getting/repairing for next year. I guess no matter what the name this is definitely a tradition worth keeping.