Motorcycle Mayhem and Misc.

Here's a better post for you non-readers: fewer words, more pictures.

Our 4th of July weekend was a frenzied one. With the first semester of summer school over, I had Friday the 3rd off, and Ryan switched that day with someone else, so we took off for Logan that morning.

That first night, we watched fireworks in Logan with Patti, Josh, and Kristin. They were pretty great!

Patti, Josh, Kristin, Heather, and Ryan

Watching fireworks with Kristin

After that late night, we had to get up early the next morning so Ryan (and Josh) could run the 15K Freedom Run up Blacksmith Fork Canyon. Patti and I dropped them off and then drove down to watch for our runners.

Here comes Ryan! Look, he's floating in this picture . . .

Approaching the finish line, pushing hard.

When we saw where he was (about 10 back), we knew he'd be disappointed. In a previous year, he took 2nd overall in the same race. But he got 3rd out of his age group, and there were about 550 runners. That's amazing! He's totally going to rock the Top of Utah Marathon in September.

About 20 minutes later . . .

Here comes Josh! Yay, Josh! I couldn't have done it.

Later that day, we watched part of the Hyrum parade with Ryan's fam.

Ryan with Braden, Natalie's youngest.

Savannah, Brooklyn, Sarah, and Autumn watching the parade.

We left the parade early to make the sojourn to Soda with Ryan's motorcycle. I was hesitant about taking the motorcycle all that way, but Ryan insisted it would be fine. Stay tuned . . .

Here we are, riding along. He is so cute . . .

After Preston, we started having issues. . .

Awhile later, the motorcycle refused to go further and had to be abandoned under a tree on the side of the highway.

RIP

We assumed Ryan's parents would later come for the bike and take it back to Logan. Meanwhile, I'd continue driving Ryan around (which I love!). BUT, Walt and Patti rode up the next day, and Walt, a mechanical genius, fixed the motorcycle easily. We went about 60-ish all the way to Boise . . .

The Achatz motorcycle clan on the way to Pocatello to get parts. I'm following in the car. That's how I roll.

In the middle of nowhere on the way to Boise, it started pouring. Ryan jumped in the car to put on more layers. He's still smiling!

Unfortunately, the motorcycle catastrophe seriously minimized our time in Soda with my family, but c'est la vie. My mother had been working hard for months on the town's production of Hello Dolly! and my dad was a star (ish) in it. On the program, he was listed under "men." This meant he played everything from waiter to painter to stage help. He was a little out of his element but a good sport . . . and a good laugh for the rest of us who never would have thought we'd see dad on stage, singing and dancing.

Dad getting in costume before the show. Ooh la la.

Mom getting in touch with the motorcycle woman within.

Ryan wanted to conk out on the evening of the 4th after his run, the parade, the motorcycle mayhem, and the play. Luke just wanted to say hi.

After Hello Dolly!, we watched Soda's version of fireworks. I realized I haven't been in Soda for the 4th of July since high school, the summer of 2009. I have been everywhere else in my travels:

2 in Rexburg

2 in Jackson Hole

2 in Canada (they didn't celebrate the 4th of July, though - rude)
1 in New York City
2 in Vegas

It's been fun. I was blessed to have lived in so many diverse places during my single life.

Anyway, for being Soda Springs (no offense meant), the fireworks weren't too shabby.

After our long drive home with the motorcycle (Ryan was such a good sport; he didn't compain at all!) and a weekend with little sleep, we were happy to get home. Sometimes you need to regroup after a "break."