Day Six - Survival of the Fittest (vehicle)
This could become a habit - tonight's blog is co-written by Serena and Lauren Yes, we woke up. Yes, we ate breakfast, and yes, we played outside. But we didn't grab the camera until we got to the barn at 9am and had been working for fifteen minutes.
Adam, Mori, and Eloise bring the Nooi contraption up to the flat stretch of road near the ranch house for a first test.
Lauren works with Zachary to cut a new steering post for Zachary's scooter.
Aaaah! A bat! (Mori)
Portrait of a Tinkerer: Griffin in Safety Gear
Work in the barn is a many-handed affair.
Two friends from New York (Griffin and Mori), inseparable in Manhattan, inseparable at Elkus Ranch.
Portrait of a Tinkerer: Liora
It looks like Brigid might have an idea. A sneaky idea...
Brigid, Harry, and Liora take the ("awesome") Panda skateboard gargantua for a ride that turns out to be a little too squirrely
Gever makes his "serious face", motioning wildly with his hands as he explains stuff to the Panda team.
Portrait of a Tinkerer: Emma
Zachary concentrates as he tests out his newly built scooter. Steering is difficult and requires dedication and focus.
Eucalyptus leave hats are all the rage - Liora tries on the newest style. The goats like this latest fashion development too - eucalyptus leaves are tasty treats.
Liora wants us all to admire her newly made "Panda" cape.
Noah spends some quality time with a goat.
Our visitors from Madrid have formed their own team, and in true Tinkering School style, named it - "Vacas Locas." The kids gather around their newly made tricycle to investigate and give advice.
Griffin and Mackenzie work together on wheels for Griffin's scooter.
Harry attaches a basket to the front of the Panda's giant skateboard - to hold the repair kit they will need on the road, as Mackenzie looks on.
Griffin cracks jokes, as he always does. Somehow he can manage to keep a straight face - Lauren can't.
Our new friends from Tinkering School Madrid: Inez and Fernando.
Harry searches for just the right screw.
Behold the mighty Josh!
And the mighty Adam!
Photographic proof - not even Gever is perfect. Here is a first: he tied the wrong knot!
A ragtag gang of misfits if ever there was one.
The first team lines up to start: Josh, Griffin and Emma of the Piki.
And they're off!
The Nooi line up, excited for the adventure ahead.
And they're off!
The Kablooi take their fleet to the line, and head off.
And the Panda follow, Liora and Brigid riding behind. The excitement of the coming journey is in the air.
And the Panda are off!
A few yards into the ride, the Panda teams 2x4, which connected their bike to their skateboard, split. They stop to repair it.
Liora bends down to remove the bolt.
And Harry drills a new hole. The Panda head for the road, and the truck heads for the first pit stop.
The Panda's skateboard, after a successful 1/2 a mile after repairs, breaks down again - this time, it's the wheel - the left one is screwed on too tight and can't spin. We carry the ship back.
Harry and Noah celebrate - they've reached the first pit stop, and have repaired their respective vehicles.
Eloise, Mori, Josh and Mackenzie wait at the second pit stop. They're excited to see the truck - the truck means food.
Serena leans out the side of the truck to line up for a shot.
Lauren leads the way, practically racing her bike, as the second two teams emerge at the second pit stop.
Noah examines the crack in the side of his 2x4, wondering how best to repair it. Inscribed on his hand is his favorite song of the night before: "We are going to be friends."
The Panda and the Kablooi depart the second pit stop- refueled and ready to hit the road.
The retrieve and chase logistics get complicated as the two blocks of teams get further apart. We all meet up at the end of the trail and load up, then head home for a delicious dinner and our last session of free-build. We light a small fire, and hold a sing along, enjoying our last evening in one-another's company. The middlers have no set bedtime on Friday night, so its home to the house for card games and discussions.