Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Soap Box Derby


It may be that all games are silly. But then, so are humans.  
Robert Lynd

What to do on a rainy Saturday. My husband and I have grown accustomed to this not being a problem as it hasn't rained in Central Texas in the past few years. This year the skies have produced much moisture and prompted a necessary change in our mindsets.

With the ground sodden, the lake filled with debris, and more rain to come, we decided to take in a movie. The last time my husband and I went to a movie together? Three years ago?

Movie time was a couple hours off so we stopped in our little Hill Country town to see what was happening with all the tents lined up on Main Street. Sometimes there are craft fairs or a wine festival, but what we found proved much more exciting.

A Soap Box Derby. An adult Soap Box Derby.

I recall reading stories when I was in elementary school about boys entering soap box derbies. No where I lived had them, so for me, it was just fiction. To come across my first one at age 58 proved most enlightening.

The Course - up the ramp, down the ramp, three blocks to the finish.

With the start of the race rain-delayed for another hour, we walked along the street to view the competition.







We marveled at some of the artwork on the street

"Let me share the wisdom of an adult soap box derby."

and  found ourselves at an outdoor restaurant. Marble Falls, being close to Austin, offered an excellent musician to keep us entertained while we sipped a margarita and awaited the starting gun.


Race time arrived. We found a good spot for our viewing pleasure.


This being Texas and all, we had to bow our heads and pray for the safety of the racers and the grace of the rain. Then we sang the National Anthem
And then...


...you truly must blow this up, turn up the sound, and watch this all the way to the end.

How fun was that?

Of course we needed another margarita.


In between races, we had a few side events. What would a derby be without fancy hats and a hat competition?




Won by that little lady in the yellow. 

And then, there are always a few crazies running around.

This being Texas and all.

We never made it to the movies. Americana. Gotta love it.
What's going on in your town?





35 comments:

  1. Hey! You've got all OUR rain,it seems. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very little goes on in our little town - really only the size of a large village.
      But there is a 1940's week end in a fortnight's time, when folk come from all over and dress in forties dresses and military uniforms (always officers!!) and various jeeps etc. arrive. It is always great fun.

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    2. Yes, I've heard of your drought up there. Saw evidence last year. Seems we're all in disorder. We are hoping for more as we still have reservoirs to fill. However, no rain in our forecast for the next 10 days.

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    3. Weaver, I don't know. Your town seems to have most interesting things going on all the time. Your life made very interesting in your writings.

      I think the 1940's week sounds most fun also. I can picture my dad and mom in many photos from that time period.

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  2. My hometown is Akron, Ohio, the home of the All American Soap Box Derby. I would love to have encountered yours on the way to the movies, and enjoyed it over a margarita, or two.

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    1. It was very fun and I seem to recall, in the recesses of my mind, that Ohio did figure into those books I read long ago. A bid deal in those parts and I can see why.

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  3. This sounded way more fun than the movies. Loved the one that said if you can read this you are losing. I am in a rain now camping, and have a outdoor potluck to go to tonight for the trap team I have been coaching.

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    Replies
    1. That sounds pretty fun and interesting also. Trap Team. Looking forward to a post from you on that. Hope the rain isn't inhibiting it too much. Enjoy.

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  4. OMG...I love it. This would be such a great fundraising event. I love the Waterhole Special. LOL What a fun evening indeed. Cheers, Beckie

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  5. Looks like a fun event indeed.

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  6. Well, they certainly take this seriously!!

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    Replies
    1. Yup, you can say that again. Seemed official and everything. Ha!

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  7. What a great idea--I bet the adults take it seriously. Texas folk are competitive to say the least...

    The video was not working for me so I'll assume the participants were so funny and embarrassing, they demanded the clip be removed.

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    Replies
    1. Not quite. The race was a success for one, but the other wavered on his way down the street and ended up with a spectacular crash. Unhurt thankfully.

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  8. I was totally harboring a hope that you'd be drafted into a "citizens' race" before the afternoon was done. Talk about drunk driving.

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    Replies
    1. Haha! No, not me. However, my husband studied the race cars and decided he could definitely come up with a car for next year. Years of Pine Wood Derby on his experience list. Our detour may have created a new monster.

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  9. Wow, looked like a lotta fun! The video was private so I didn't get to see the race :(

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    Replies
    1. Video is working now. I figured it out. Impressed with myself. Ha!

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  10. Wow that really neat and for adults at that....:)

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  11. What fun: soap box races and fancy hats! Hard to imagine years without weekly rain or snow. I hope the moisture has helped.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it has. Filling up the Highland Lakes, but we're still only watering once a week. Don't know if the rain will continue or not.

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  12. Now you've seen the fun and studied the competition I'm expecting to see you and hubby taking part next year - he in the race with his soap box car creation and you in the lineup of decorated hats. Plenty going on here over the Summer, 1940s weekend at the museum, an alternative music festival called Inner City Tramlines, and well dressing in the villages of adjoining county - more about that coming soon on my blog. Have a good weekend! Maybe you'll get to the movies?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Forget the movies. I want to come where you live and go to all those events.

      My husband did ask about the measurements and requirements for the event. He might like that challenge. Years of Pinewood derbies under his belt with the three boys in Indian Guides and Scouts. But me and the hats? Nope. I like the back row.

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  13. Omigosh, that looks like fun. St. Paul and Minneapolis have a whole lot of stuff going on all summer--concerts and plays and parades and festivals of one sort or another and various professional sporting events. We go to Saints minor-league baseball games and enjoy the fact that it's still light past 9 p.m. We will remember these long evenings this winter when it's dark at about 4.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I recall the joy of long Minnesota summer days. 10 at night and still light. I loved it. Sounds like you have lots to keep you guys busy this summer.

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  14. What a grand adventure! I love it when you "accidentally" run into things like that derby. We have Loggers' Days around here. Very interesting in their own way. I'm more of a Farmers Market person, though. :-)

    Funny, you're getting all our rain this year, and we seem to be having your heat. It's finally broken, but still no rain. A bit unsettling, but I'm loving the sunshine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have received your heat and lack of rain. Currently cooking after a bike ride.

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  15. Haha, ok was able to watch the video now--thanks for the note my techie friend!

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  16. What great entertainment! Thanks for sharing this with us non-Texans, making me wish I were there.

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    Replies
    1. Well, I don't know. Awful pretty place where you live Rosaria. Probably much cooler, too.

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  17. That is pretty fun!
    We have CountryFest with Joe Diffie August 1st. Yee-haw!

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