Sometimes it's better to be lucky than skilled.

Tonight we had an activity planned that was kind of a open class pine wood derby for adults. Normally they are kind of a regimented thing with rules and such for kids who are Cub Scouts.

If you're not familiar you take a rectangle of pine and carve saw or sand it into some sort of semi-automotive shape. Pound on some wheels with nails and then race them down a track, everything powered by gravity. The traditional rules limit what you can do, the size and weight of the car and so on. For our activity we limited the cars to 12" in length and 5.5oz and made out of the traditional pine wood block. Other than that, go for it!

We had snacks, an electric starting gate, ribbons and a double elimination bracket so everyone got to race a few times. We had a few young kids and a handful of adults. There were people to race and everyone was into it.

Now I spent about 3 hours making 3 different cars. And I also spent about 2 hours setting the track and such up. My friend AK showed up to just watch but then decided to go home and get his kit he hadn't even started on and just race anyway. So he left it in the shape of a block. Added weight to the maximum, pounded on his wheels and WON THE WHOLE THING!! Beating my other friend GB who had made the most beautifully shaped derby car I have ever seen.

Though the turn out was a little lighter than I thought it would be and I kinda stressed over the preparation for it, things all turned out fun in the end. I think everyone who came when home happy. Or at least with a sugar buzz. And I have my plan for next year already.........