Travel Encounters
The boys and I did some driving around today, killing some time while Greg was at grad school taking his session final-exams.
We started off at WalMart. Needed some groceries and a couple school supplies, so I went for one-stop-shopping. (Which is vitally important when shopping with two active boys!) At the exits, tables were set up with big DARE banners (the drug-prevention program). One of the young ladies approached me about buying child safety ID cards for the boys. She explained that they have a picture, vitals, emergency contact information, and mom's signature that emergency medical treatment can be provided if the parents cannot be reached. Apparently this card is meant to be carried around by the children.
I have nothing against child ID cards. I think it is probably a good thing for parents to carry around a current picture of their kids, just in case. But I just don't think it will work for my 19 month old to carry around a wallet-sized card.
But there was something the young lady said that really got me. In emphasizing the emergency medical authorization, she said, "They can't even give a band-aid to a child without parental authorization."
To which I responded, "The doctors are going to give care to ANYONE in an emergency situation."
She was having none of that. She said, "No, federal law prohibits giving any medical care to anyone under the age of 18 without parental consent."
I looked right at her and said, "They are NOT just going to let children DIE."
Confused, she responded, "Well, I guess not."
I'm sure that there are certain restrictions on what can be done without parental authorization. But when you're talking about child ID cards, you're talking about emergencies. And this young lady was trying to use scare-tactics to make her sale. Shame on her.
Next we headed to this big flea-market place on Highway 101. I've never really been to a flea-market before, and since this one was BIG, I thought it would be a good place to start.
Boy was I surprised! The facilities were very nice -- even the bathrooms! There wasn't much I was interested in really looking at, but we did pick up some good produce and homemade lemonade for the boys.
My image of flea-markets as being "places you go to get fleas" is now shattered. I'd be willing to go again, especially to get some more good local tomatoes.
But while we were walking around, I kept hearing people commenting on the boys. "Oh look! Twins!" Since that question has been raised by my commenters before, I guess it is time to clarify.
Although Michael and Matthew look very much alike, they are just under 2 years 4 months apart. Matthew is very tall for his age, and even Michael is on the tall side too. But no, they are definitely not twins.
It was still only about 10 am, so I decided to drive to Spartanburg. We've lived here almost 2 years now, and have never been off the highway in Spartanburg. It has a very nice little downtown. Not as nice as Greenville's, but definitely worth stopping by some time for a bite to eat.
We also drove through the Wofford College campus to see if the Carolina Panthers were out for football practice. Unfortunately they were not, but Michael was so excited to see where the football players would go!
As we were heading back home, it was close to noon. Just about time for Greg to be on break between his two exams. I figured we'd drive by his campus to see if he was around outside. I saw his car right across the street at Ware's Burger Grill. (Or something like that.) The boys and I went in to surprise him. Shared some great cheeseburgers and news of the day. It was a great little break for everyone.
We had some fun travels today, and some neat encounters along the way!
We started off at WalMart. Needed some groceries and a couple school supplies, so I went for one-stop-shopping. (Which is vitally important when shopping with two active boys!) At the exits, tables were set up with big DARE banners (the drug-prevention program). One of the young ladies approached me about buying child safety ID cards for the boys. She explained that they have a picture, vitals, emergency contact information, and mom's signature that emergency medical treatment can be provided if the parents cannot be reached. Apparently this card is meant to be carried around by the children.
I have nothing against child ID cards. I think it is probably a good thing for parents to carry around a current picture of their kids, just in case. But I just don't think it will work for my 19 month old to carry around a wallet-sized card.
But there was something the young lady said that really got me. In emphasizing the emergency medical authorization, she said, "They can't even give a band-aid to a child without parental authorization."
To which I responded, "The doctors are going to give care to ANYONE in an emergency situation."
She was having none of that. She said, "No, federal law prohibits giving any medical care to anyone under the age of 18 without parental consent."
I looked right at her and said, "They are NOT just going to let children DIE."
Confused, she responded, "Well, I guess not."
I'm sure that there are certain restrictions on what can be done without parental authorization. But when you're talking about child ID cards, you're talking about emergencies. And this young lady was trying to use scare-tactics to make her sale. Shame on her.
Next we headed to this big flea-market place on Highway 101. I've never really been to a flea-market before, and since this one was BIG, I thought it would be a good place to start.
Boy was I surprised! The facilities were very nice -- even the bathrooms! There wasn't much I was interested in really looking at, but we did pick up some good produce and homemade lemonade for the boys.
My image of flea-markets as being "places you go to get fleas" is now shattered. I'd be willing to go again, especially to get some more good local tomatoes.
But while we were walking around, I kept hearing people commenting on the boys. "Oh look! Twins!" Since that question has been raised by my commenters before, I guess it is time to clarify.
Although Michael and Matthew look very much alike, they are just under 2 years 4 months apart. Matthew is very tall for his age, and even Michael is on the tall side too. But no, they are definitely not twins.
It was still only about 10 am, so I decided to drive to Spartanburg. We've lived here almost 2 years now, and have never been off the highway in Spartanburg. It has a very nice little downtown. Not as nice as Greenville's, but definitely worth stopping by some time for a bite to eat.
We also drove through the Wofford College campus to see if the Carolina Panthers were out for football practice. Unfortunately they were not, but Michael was so excited to see where the football players would go!
As we were heading back home, it was close to noon. Just about time for Greg to be on break between his two exams. I figured we'd drive by his campus to see if he was around outside. I saw his car right across the street at Ware's Burger Grill. (Or something like that.) The boys and I went in to surprise him. Shared some great cheeseburgers and news of the day. It was a great little break for everyone.
We had some fun travels today, and some neat encounters along the way!
posted by Susan | 7:50 PM
1 Comments:
I will have to tell my husband about the flea market. We have been to The Jocky lot out towards Williamston. I am not big on flea markets though so we didn't stay too long. My husband loves them so he will be happy to hear your review of this one.
I love just driving around getting the lay of the land. We do it a lot. We have been to The Beacon in Spartanburg. My parents saw it on The Travel Channel. Nothing to write home about in my opinion.
If you get a chance make a trip to The Georgia Aquarium. It is wonderful. I wrote a post about it last week and it includes a few pictures if you want to check it out.
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