Ice Cream and Emus

Going to the California State Fair is one of my favorite summer activities. I can’t explain it but am pretty sure my love affair with the State Fair began when my daughter was just two years old. We would go on “kid’s day” so admission was manageable (free) and we would bring in our own food (oops, did I say that out loud?! Isn’t that against the rules? What is the statute of limitations on that?).

Daughter and I would meet friends and see all of the animals – petting zoo, livestock, baby animals, horses and elephants (my now grown, college-age, Animal Science major loved animals even back then). We would sometimes drag my Mom with us who, after a couple of years of walking around in 110 degree temps at our hyper-speed pace, was suddenly “busy” with “other plans” during every single day of the State Fair. What are the odds?


Hello!

This year, Hubby and I attended the fair with Robert. A few things have changed since Daughter was little and Grandma trekked through the fair with us – the weather was milder, I signed a petition to remove the live births from future fairs and, in my own version of a protest, refrained from seeing the baby animals (but, I confess, couldn’t stay away from the kangaroos and emus).

I’m happy we didn’t skip the emu because Robert was fascinated with this creature! Every time the emu ventured over to us, Robert would say, “hello” in such a way I expected the emu to respond back!

Robert normally uses a walker to get around but I thought he might enjoy more of the fair if we used Hubby’s transport chair (yes, Hubby has his own transport chair). For those wondering about the difference between a wheelchair and a transport chair, the transport chair is easier to lug around! Robert didn’t mind using the chair much to my relief. I was a little worried he may not agree to sit in it because he can be a little stubborn. (He must get that from my Hubby).

Since I’ve never mentioned Hubby needing a transport chair before, I should explain that he has a debilitating back injury from a car accident long before we met. His pain has increased through the years (starting early in our marriage – coincidence?) but it is now managed with an intrathecal pain pump and a few oral meds. Walking for hours isn’t good for him or the rest of the family for that matter (hey, pain makes a person a bit cranky) so we have a transport chair to use when we go places that will require a lot of walking. Like the State Fair.


Eat fast!

This year, Hubby and I pushed and walked and walked and pushed and Robert was the one using the chair. We saw the giant bug exhibit and a dance group and the emu – don’t forget the emu! – and watched people spin around upside down on rides I would never in a million years go on. We ate lunch early in the day and then stopped for ice cream at the end of the afternoon, finding a shady spot to enjoy it before it melted down our arms.

The State Fair was definitely different for me this year. The weather was so much better, the prices were a little steeper and I didn’t get to see the newborn animals but the biggest change had to be seeing my Hubby pushing Robert in his chair. I wasn’t pushing Hubby. Not this year. Hubby and I were pushing Robert and even though Hubby’s back was pretty sore for a few days after our adventure with Robert and the emu and the ice cream, he didn’t complain once about the reason for it.

Of course, this doesn’t mean Hubby is cured or he will never need the transport chair. He does and he will. He has a really awful back problem that is not going away but so many times when we help others, we help ourselves.

That is just one more reason why I love the California State Fair!