Carnies, carnies everywhere.

We made it to the Ozark Empire Fair again this year. We took about three photos before the batteries died in the camera. But it's 2010, you say. Someone at the fair will be selling AA batteries. Stop being a know-it-all jerk, I say. You could buy 9-volt (?) or D batteries (?!), but not AA. We bought a crummy disposable camera. I actually ended up liking the grainy quality of the photos. It matches the grainy quality of the fair. Despite the oppressive heat (behold my pit-stains!), the day was full of thrills and chills.













Jefferson is a creature of habit. Just like his old man. He wanted to do the things he did last year. Like eat ice cream,










scoop ducks,










peek through Spongebob's window,










and ride this bee.










With a pioneer spirit and love of adventure, he embarked on a few new experiences. A roller coaster...










Note the girl in front of Jefferson. Chillin'.










I think they've had this crappy motorcycle thing since I was a kid. He really did have a look of buyer's remorse on his face by the second revolution. Yes, boy. That's all it does. It was an enormous let down after the crococoaster.













Sometimes Lewis needs Clark, so I accompanied him on the slide. I regretted the instant we started climbing the steps. It was terrifying for a number of reasons. First, any carnival ride is scary when you consider how hastily constructed it must of been. This thing was used at the Bellevue Peach Festival and Barn Dance or something last week. Then they took it down, loaded it on a truck and put it back up here. Nobody called Bob Vila, you know what I mean? Second, we became incrementally more airborne after each drop. Finally, look at that kid in the middle lane. While Jefferson and I were getting situated, he climbed the steps and went down the slide. Fine. Except, look at his left hand. He started to stand up in our lane and I was convinced that we were going to kill him. There was no way for us to stop, so I just closed my eyes and assumed that everything would be fine. It was.













Until next year...