The Wiser Derby

We go to a small, country church and we love it.  It's not flashy.  It's not famous.  And it's definitely not contemporvant.

And even without a lot of structured programs to keep us busy, we manage to have a lot of fun along the way.  ;D

Witness last week's Pinewood Derby.  The kids had a chance to make a car at the twice-a-month boys' and girls' club, but the competition was thrown open to anyone who wanted to join.  Clearly, some people take this a lot more seriously than others, and the cars reflected the owners' personalities and interests.

Jane, our pastor's wife, put herself in the driver's seat, surrounded by flowers.  And that's Pastor Bert's car, with the Air Force jet lifting off.  He's a former pilot.  And there's Gunnar's tank in the middle.  He put a lot of thought and work into that turret and barrel.  The paint colors had to be mixed Just Right.

Kerry resurrected a car he "helped" one of the older boys make, back in AWANA - the red car in space 41.  Sadly, it didn't even finish either of its races... that was a first.

Wyatt raced his school bus. (He was banking on the fact that nobody is supposed to pass a bus, right?)  And Tate brought his BNSF engine out of retirement.  Both very cool.

I love the canoe, too, manned by two men who paddle together in the annual Ski-to-Sea Relay.

Of course, the big event was the race, and we didn't win, place, or show, but the boys handled it maturely.  Actually, I loved that the two fastest cars were about the lowest "tech" cars there, made by two sisters.

But honestly, I think the bigger show was going on outside.  A front was moving in, after a few spring-like days, and made for an incredible sunset.

Looking west...

And east, toward Mt. Baker.

Enjoy the view and imagine the *ahem* fresh, farm air... this is dairy country.