Today while my boys and I traveled from A to B here in Salem, we happened to pass beautiful Bush Park. Glancing over, I saw soap box derby cars racing down the hill and so quickly asked my boys if they wanted to stop and watch. We parked the car nearby and soon found a shady spot near the course finish line.
After watching several runs, a kind momma asked the age of my boys. Upon hearing that my oldest was 9, she invited him to enjoy a ‘fun run’. That’s right: the gracious folks of the Salem Soap Box Derby Association offered my son the chance to drive one of their cars down the track. Needless to say, my oldest sprinted halfway up the hill to the starting line before I finished my “Thank you – we would like that” response.
At the top of the hill a well-spoken tween and a welcoming dad gave my new recruit a quick lesson. Having heard that the cars can reach speeds up to 30 mph –I was impressed by the care taken by the volunteers to help my son. The car and driver were allowed to roll forward (perhaps 10 to 20 feet) several times so that my son could practice his ‘braking skills.’ Once cleared for takeoff, he then rolled down the 900+ foot track.
At the top of the hill a well-spoken tween and a welcoming dad gave my new recruit a quick lesson. Having heard that the cars can reach speeds up to 30 mph –I was impressed by the care taken by the volunteers to help my son. The car and driver were allowed to roll forward (perhaps 10 to 20 feet) several times so that my son could practice his ‘braking skills.’ Once cleared for takeoff, he then rolled down the 900+ foot track.
Of course, I wasn’t there to see his face at the bottom – but the smile he held, after sprinting up the greenway to meet me, said it all: sometimes the detour is the best part of the journey.