Wednesday, July 27, another grandson felled by fever & a stalled tandem

  Today the grandson who is normally eager to get up and start the day, slept in and had a fever, the last of his siblings to get the bug--nicknamed the "cotton candy fever" by the first kid to get it. So again we left with not quite everyone today. The one from yesterday had improved and was good enough to rejoin the crew.  Grateful for hotels that permitted late check out at the one end and early check in at the other.
   Another day of sunshine and pleasant temperatures.
  At a small town, we headed over to an elementary school for the kids to play on the playground and to have some lunch. 
At the next small town, we stopped at a picnic table between the trail and a bike shop and were deciding what to do for a snack.  Kay went investigating down the street and found a place selling ice cream that we hadn't been aware of.  She snapped pictures of all the flavors, came back and wrote down orders, then went back with a couple of boys to help carry them back to the picnic table. (didn't dare have a crowd of boys in there, they also sold knick-knacks!)

  On today's journey we had a short, quite steep hill. Jim tried to prepare by downshifting, but the chain moved too far and jammed. When you are  on a steep uphill pulling two grandsons in the Weehoo and the chain suddenly keeps you from pedaling, you come to a rapid stop.  Our feet were clipped in so we started to tip over.  Kay got loose from the pedals so barely stayed on her feet, but the other 3 landed on their sides.  One grandson started to scream--we were concerned for injury but he was screaming because when we tipped his water bottle in the side pocket started leaking all over. Luckily no injuries, not even any abrasions,  just dignity. The water bottle was repaired with more water. 
Tonight's hotel  is about 3 miles off the rail trail with busier roads between, so used the vehicles to get most of the group to the hotel. Swimming in the hotel pool was again a fun evening activity. 

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