The One Family Tradition We Will Never Repeat: The Pedal Bar Adventure
For the past five years, our family has been in the habit of gathering at my son's house in Austin, Texas, for a tradition he calls the Wilson Family Fest. We have flown in from various cities such as Boston, St. Louis, Chicago, Nashville, and Denver. The highlight of this event is always renting a pontoon boat and spending time on one of Austin’s beautiful lakes. However, in the past, we engaged in an activity that left us all exhausted and never to be repeated.
Enter the Pedal Bar Adventure
One year, my son heard about a bar on wheels that one could pedal around town. It sounded like a fun idea and many of us, including a few wiser souls, decided to join in. Our plan was to pedal this large, truck-like bar around downtown Austin with plenty of stops at different bars. My son promised us that there would be a backup motor in case any of the hills became too steep, but unfortunately, we never found it. We were left with one that definitely required effort to move.
The temperature reached a sweltering 100 degrees, and we began our journey. As we started off from the parking lot, the pedal bar stalled on some railroad tracks, just as a train was approaching. Since we had to rely entirely on our own exertion, we were left pedaling furiously for our lives. Our small group consisted of four people over 70, a couple in their early 50s, two 'young' people, and one of them being a mere 33 years old. We were not the fittest members in the group, but we pushed on.
The Tragicomedy Unfolds
As we pedaled, we faced numerous challenges, including navigating through streets and dealing with the steep inclines. We spent hours pedaling, sweating profusely, and struggling to keep the pedal bar moving. The high temperatures and physical exertion turned our fun outing into a sweaty and exhausting ordeal. We did not stop for a moment, and by the end of the day, we were completely soaked with sweat. The experience was so challenging that we barely managed to keep the bar moving, let alone enjoy the planned stops at the bars.
Our family will likely never repeat this tradition. The memory of that day is one marked by exhaustion, humor, and the knowledge that we all achieved something we had never planned for or expected. Despite the sweat and struggle, there's something to be said for the unorthodox and memorable nature of our family festivals.
A Family That Embraces the Uncommon
Family traditions are not simply about the usual or expected. They are about the experiences that bond us, create memories, and teach us the value of perseverance. While our pedal bar adventure might not be repeated, it will forever remain a cherished memory in our family's history. It teaches us that sometimes, our fondest memories come from embracing the unorthodox and facing challenges together. That day in Austin, we faced a daunting task, but we did it as a family, making it an unforgettable and laughable event in our collective memory.