Last night Robbi drove out to the nearby civilization known as Middletown, Delaware to do some shopping. Bob has been calling us every few days from Alaska, each time with lists of things that are needed, things that we are to buy and bring along when we come. On the most recent list was a wide variety of plumbing odds and ends: a length of 4-inch PVC pipe, various nozzles and fittings, things that I do not understand.

Robbi took the kids and headed to Home Depot while I held down the home front. I called her a couple of times to check in, and each time there was a spirited chorus of yelling in the background. When she got home and I downloaded the photos on my phone, it all became clear. Robbi had put the kids onto one of those NASCAR carts. No wonder they felt at liberty to express themselves.

If you haven’t seen the NASCAR carts at Home Depot, you don’t know what you’re missing. Really, no further explanation is needed.

Here is Kato in the process of bracing for the final turn.

Eventually, he abandoned the wheel entirely and tried to use brute force to will the cart across the finish line.

It’s a wonder Robbi made it home in one piece.

It’s our last full day in the Barn for a while. The to-do list is spread out on the counter. Time to start packing.