Pandemic Week 25: Happy 14th Birthday to Anna!

Happy Birthday Anna!

 Anna celebrated her 14th birthday on September 3.  Since it was the last week of summer vacation thanks to a delayed start to the school year, it was also the first time she celebrated her birthday BEFORE school started (although she did spend a couple hours in the morning checking in with all of her teachers in preparation for virtual school).  The celebration was a little more subtle this year, but Anna was able to do one of her favorite activities:  ziplining at Sandy Spring Adventure Park.

After some research on safety protocols, it appeared that Sandy Springs had made significant adjustments to their business to accommodate guests (not to mention that Theresa saw on a Facebook post that a local pediatrician friend had taken her family a few weeks ago, so that seemed like a good endorsement).  Anna's friend Julianna was able to join in the fun.  The biggest surprise of the day was getting Joe to agree to participate (he has spent years avoiding this activity).  It is amazing what being locked up for 6 months with your family will get you to do!  Anna and Julianna went off to the more advanced courses high in the trees.  Joe and Theresa stayed on the beginner courses (it should be noted that the courses involve swinging bridges, log obstacles, and ziplines....all while suspended in the trees).  Participants had to stay in their "pod" and could not share platforms with others.  Everyone had to wear masks while in common areas.

At the end of the afternoon, Theresa decided to go on one more course while Joe turned in his equipment.  She didn't get very far in before she found herself stuck behind a young couple.....and the woman was absolutely terrified.  She was going SLOW to say the least.  Theresa could not get around them and had to wait.  Meanwhile, storm clouds began to gather and the thunder started.  After the woman completed the first zip line, she decided she could go no further.  This meant that a staff member had to climb the tree and evacuate her, which required lowering her down on a cable (think of a Coast Guard rescue scene....only from a tree rather than a helicopter).  This took another 25 minutes as the woman was too terrified to be rescued.  Anna and Julianna were now on the same course and everyone was being directed down because of the storm.  The end result was that Theresa had to wait for the woman so she could get to the next platform (via a zipline) only to be lowered down by the staff because the park was being evacuated.  By the time Theresa and the girls met Joe at the car, there was a tornado warning in effect.  It was a dramatic end to the birthday outing.

The rest of Anna's birthday was much quieter.  We went home and enjoyed a sushi dinner followed by a "watermelon" cake (an ice cream cake that looked like a watermelon).  She also enjoyed numerous birthday greetings throughout the day.  It was a good pandemic birthday!

We were able to enjoy picture-perfect weather for Labor Day weekend.  Anna and Theresa met up with some St. Mark friends on Saturday morning.  Sunday was a trip to Leopold's Nature preserve (a first time trip) followed by some shopping for school supplies. Anna make evening visits to the pool this week with Julianna.  Storm even got a trip to a local park.  It was a great weekend to get outside.  Happy Labor Day!