Humble Beginnings

Every giant rope has to start somewhere. Sam start with a collection of white garbage bags.

Managing the Transitions

Integrating a new bag into the braid requires the kind of patience and attention to detail that Piper seems to be developing this year. Her rope sections are even and strong.

The Bag Brigade

Brendan, Tywen, and Nemo keep a steady flow of #2 grocery bags flowing into the braiding area.

Obsessed with Perfection

Fiona's braids are the tightest and as a result her ropes show the least stretch when tensioned.

Headwaters of the Bag Brigade

Brendan and Sam take a turn in the box separating bags for sorting by type. The the recycling code turns out the be a very reliable specifier for the material. #2's, the common grocery bags, are the strongest, and #4's are probably ok for light loads, the un-numbered bags are worthless and put into a separate pile for immediate recycling.

Ignoring Child Labor Laws

They work for juice-boxes, so it's cheaper for us to make rope from recycled bags than it is to buy it from REI.

Strong Enough to Restrain a Superhero

A single length of the braided rope is all it takes to keep Tywen out of further trouble.

Hang Test 1

Using a single length of the freshly braided rope, we test its tensile strength by putting successively bigger kids on it.

Hang Test 2

Then Piper gives it a try...

Hang Test 3

Then the biggest kid gets on to see if the rope is truly up to the task.

Another Use For Rope

Fiona shows us that just because we're going to make a rope bridge out of it, doesn't mean we can use it for other things in the meantime.

Snack Break

Nemo takes a moment to enjoy the trail mix (a little pile of peanuts found near the couch is taken as evidence that he's not a big fan of the goober).

Rope Repair

Our initial idea of just weaving in bags as we go turns out to have some execution errors especially when two bags are introduced at the same point in the braid. After some experiments, Gever, Fiona, and Piper figure out a new technique that is not only stronger but easier to do while braiding.

Everyone into the Pool

Turns out the fun part of sorting bags happens in the box.

The Tinkerers in the Aluminum Masks

After lunch, we all take a moment to enjoy some Reynolds Wrap.

Masked Brendan and Tywen

Masked Sam and Connor

Sunny Siesta

Tywen takes advantage of the rare afternoon sunshine and gets in a post-lunch nap.

Couchful

Everyone waits expectantly while Gever sets up the reaction in the crucible.

The Exothermic (Non)Reaction

Due to a box of weak sparklers, the thermite reaction is not ignited - much to everyone's disappointment.

Eight Carts 'o Fun

Putting the non-reaction behind us, we take the carts to the sloped parking lot we had our eye on.

Insufficient Slope

Even though the slope is not enough to get the carts rolling on their own, the Tinkerers are happy to be pulled down the hill by Sam.

Balance Up!

The key to free-rolling happiness in the Caterpillar Carts is staying balanced over the axles.

Back to the Truck

The opinion on the Caterpillar Cart ranges from "it's OK" to "more fun than a wagon", so we decide to pack them up and head to the beach.

Just a Very Nice Time

Sand castles are built, moats are dug, balls of sand are made - it's a darn nice day at the beach.

Sand-ball Explosions

'Nuff said.

The Boys Return from the Sea

Eventually, we all must head back to the house to meet Tywen's parents for dinner.

Looking For Eggs

We tossed the surviving eggs from the catapult project into the woods - not all of them made it all the way into the woods and a search party is sent out to help them along.

More Deconstruction

Since the studio is set up for rope-making, tonights activity is to take more stuff apart.

Moment of Zen

the screaming children - enjoy their tinfoil masks - and their vocal chords