Go Speedracer!

 In all the experiences of Cub Scouts, there is no other activity that is looked forward to more than the Pinewood Derby.  Ethan starts planning what his derby car will look like several months before the actual race.  I had no idea what a big deal this was.  Now that Jonathan is the Scoutmaster, it is an even bigger deal than it was last year.  

As with most things, the derby car was put off until close to the last second.  However, Ethan was still able to present his derby at weigh-in with the racing stripes that he imagined.  At the night of the race, all the scouts were able to watch their cars race the track and hit a pillow at the end -- placed there for the car's safety, of course.  The track was set up with wires and hooked up to a computer that would time the cars right down to the second.  We wanted to be sure there would be no dispute as to which car came in at what times.  This was, after all, a serious matter.  No hanging chads at this pinewood derby.

Ethan ended up not getting in first, but he is still so happy with the results of his derby car.  All the scouts had a great time, and so did the dads after all the scouts went home.  Jonathan's calistoga wagon design might have gotten the pioneers across the plains but sure didn't do too hot down the derby track.  He didn't win.  At all.  But  in the Pinewood Derby, everybody's a winner!