Houston, We Have a Problem

For the last couple of weekends, we have received snow.  With a reprieve in the cold temperatures, we decided to take advantage of the 65 degree Saturday and shoot a rocket that we've been holding for the perfect day.  I actually got the rocket for Adam nearly a year ago.  It was one of his '30 days of 30' gifts.

It was a slightly windy day.  Adam thought it was a good idea to take the balloons down to the park to assist in gauging the speed and direction of the wind -- both important factors in shooting a rocket.

"You don't suppose it will land in the lake, do you?" I questioned.  With an easterly wind, we set up as far to the west as possible.  There was a good fifty yards between our rocket and the lake.  "Nah."  He positioned the angle of the rocket to blast off even more westwardly, for added prevention.

 

A quick talk on rocket safety and logistics, and we were ready for blast off!

The boys had a great time watching it shoot up into the sky.  It was difficult to spot the rocket in the sky at first, since the sun was so bright.  He began drifting back to earth.  As it began to approach closer and closer, Adam took off running towards the lake to catch it.  "You're too far!" I shouted at him.  "You've way over-shot it!"

I couldn't have been more dead wrong.  Actually, neither of us could have been more dead wrong.  That floating red thing right smack-dab in the middle of the lake is our rocket.  The boys' wheels started turning, trying to think of ways to retrieve their rocket.  Afterall, we had intended on shooting it two more times.  "Maybe we could use a pool pole, Dad."  I offered jokingly.

Houston always comes up with elaborate schemes.  "I know!  We can toss some bread in the lake to attract the geese.  When they start to swim over to eat it, they will push the rocket towards the side where we can grab it!"
"Great thinking, Houston."  I encouraged him.  "Only one problem.  There aren't any geese here today.  And we forgot the bread."

Well, that only leaves one option.  A totally blog-worthy option might I add.  One that involves a serious toy.

Adam:  "Huey, you want to swim out there and get it?"
Houston:  Considering the idea, "What if there are meat eating fish in there?"
Adam:  "Pirhannas live in Africa.  It's totally up to you, man.  If you swim out there and get it, I'll take you to buy a toy of your choice."
Me:  "And, I'll blog about it!"  (He enjoys his moments of fame in the web-world)

And with that, he started undressing.  Adam and I were both a little bit shocked.

"Now this is a lake, Houston.  So when you step in, it's gonna feel squishy because it is dirt on the bottom."
"Okay, Dad."
Adam continued, "The water's gonna be cold.  But once you get in, you're already wet.  You might as well just keep going until you get the rocket."

He stepped into the lake.

On second thought, the water IS freezing!  He changed his mind.  But bless his heart, he really was going to do it!  Adam and I were so proud, even if you think we're crazy for even suggesting such a thing.

"Houston, I love your attitude, buddy."  Adam made sure to encourage him so that Houston would not see this as a failure.

"Dad!  I want to try to swim and get it." Hayes chimed in.

"Bud, you can't swim out there and get it.  Swimming in a lake is a lot different than the pool."


"But you didn't say that you like my attitude?!"

With that, we realized he had no intention of swimming after the rocket.  He was merely searching for his father's approval.  "I like your attitude too, buddy."

After another five minutes of contemplating the worth of retrieving the rocket versus purchasing a new one, we headed home feeling slightly bummed.  The rocket floated there teasing us just fifteen feet off the shore.  It would have been easier to accept if it had just sunk straight to the bottom.  Even as we walked away, we kept looking back at it.  We even drove by later that night and tried to spotlight it from the car.  We will redeem this!