Johann and I have been enjoying a number of puddle jumping expeditions this spring. We had two really memorable ones in late April when we got a series of steady storms rolling through.
Before the first outing it had been raining softly, but steadily, all day. Johann and I were beginning to feel a bit like caged animals so while Tammy fixed dinner we decided to escape and see how wet we could get.
After bundling up in goloshes (well I only had my sneakers) raincoats and umbrellas, we set out for the puddles in the courtyard. Those were fun, but not nearly deep enough, so Johann decided we should head over to the river. In the Art Center Parking lot and their back patio area we found excellent splashing puddles, some were 3–4” deep. Others were large enough to have a good run through.
We had contests to see who could splash the farthest and the highest, who could splash water over the patio walls, into the river and onto each other. After about an hour we finally dragged ourselves back to the apartment. I say dragged, not because we were sad, but because we were soaked through—cold and each about 30% heavier from all the water.
Imagine Tammy’s reaction when she opened the door to find us both, giggling, beaming and absolutely dripping wet. “Oh my, uhmm… let me get some towels!” We stripped Johann in the hallway quickly, then wrapped him up in towels. About an hour later the thunderstorm itself moved over us and Water Street really lived up to it’s name. We watches as a good 1–2” of water coursed down the street towards Main. Cars moving at 15–20pmh were hidden by the sprays they put up. Johann loved it.
The next time out was after 2 full days of rain. We headed down towards the Marina and the Captain Packer restaurant. We found enormous puddles that were 10 feet long and 2-3” deep. Running full blast we made passes through the puddles. After each pass Johann needed a good minute to calm down from all his laughing. We met a few people out, who were walking quickly to their homes or cars with take out dinners or whatever. Two of them stopped to laugh along with us and applaud our having fun.
On the way home I got the best compliment I could ask for when Johann looked up and said “Daddy, you are really an expert at doing kid stuff!” When we pulled Johann out of his boots–again in the hallway with towels at the ready–Tammy tugged on the boot, while I had Johann hooked from under the arms. I think he may have grown an inch just from our stretching him! Each boot finally came free with a very loud SLLUUURRRP!. We all rolled with laughter again, especially as I fetched one of my measuring cups and poured out the water still in his boots. Both boots (not counting the water in his socks) held a full cup of water! I’m not terribly surprised as at one point water was actually spilling out from his boots with each step as we were walking back home.