Ice is nice, but pool is better

    It was an eventful weekend in the Cyr household as we loaded up the clan to head for a weekend getaway in Portland. Back at Christmas, my wife and I decided to surprise our children with tickets to the “Disney on Ice” show at the Cumberland County Civic Center. We had been a couple of times in the past and they have always enjoyed themselves.
    As my wife will attest to, I am not the most pleasant traveler. I like to keep a tight itinerary, which almost always gets off-track and this trip was no exception. It’s amazing how kids have a tendency to move at a snail’s pace when you need to be somewhere at a specific time. On most any other Saturday morning, they would have been up wanting to watch cartoons, but such was not the case this Saturday.
    After finally getting out the door, a quick stop was made to fill up the car, and for some much-needed coffee. Already behind schedule, my patience was being tested when I hear “Why is Daddy so mad?” from my youngest. I wasn’t aware I was, but in hindsight, she was probably right.
    Pushing on, I decided to save time by not stopping at the local ATM to withdraw some cash for the trip. There are plenty of cash machines out there and I was pretty sure I wouldn’t need any money right away.
    That decision would come back to bite me just outside of Augusta following a brief pit-stop for more gas and snacks. It seems that the long stretch of Interstate from Houlton to Bangor effectively wiped the need to stop for cash from my memory. Just outside of Augusta, I made the second miscalculation on the day and took the turn to stay on I-95, which took us on the Maine Turnpike, instead of the toll-free stretch of I-295 to Brunswick.
    Annoyed with myself for making such a mistake, I ultimately convinced myself that it would be no big deal. Seeing as how it is 2011, I convinced myself that Maine Turnpike toll booths had the capability to accept debit cards. Well, they don’t.
    A five-minute delay ensued, although it felt much longer, as the toll attendant took down my driver’s license and registration number. “You have to mail this in within five days or else you will be fined.” Apparently if you don’t pay your $1.75 toll within that time period, you’re looking at a $150 fine. I know times are tough with the state budget, but that seems a bit harsh to me.
    Anyway, finally back on the road, we make good time and arrive in Portland with plenty of time to spare. We met up with some good friends from the Rockland area to catch up on each other’s lives. As it is with every friend I speak to from the Midcoast, the first thing out of their mouths is usually, “So, how’s life up in The County?” After relaying that County life is actually pretty darn good these days — explaining yes we have electricity and running water — it’s time to head to the show.
    Having been to the ice show before, I’ve learned it’s all about location. Get good seats and you will have a much better time. Watching my children’s expressions as such Disney characters as Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Ariel skate by them made all of the petty inconveniences disappear.
    Following the show, it’s time for supper and we go through the usual routine of trying to find something that both children will eat. After that, it’s time for hotel, which for my kids means one thing – swimming. My wife conveniently informs me she does not have a bathing suit so I get to spend the next hour or so in the pool, fighting off cramps from the recently consumed supper.
    After a rough night of tossing and turning — show me anyone who says the sleep well in a hotel and I’ll show you someone who has taken sleeping pills — it’s time for more coffee. It’s often been said that it’s a small world, and I’m beginning to agree. While stopping for coffee, I hear someone shouting at me. Seeing that this is Portland, I’m comfortable in admitting that I was a bit fearful for a moment. Turns out, my friend Brian Barton of Pioneer Broadband just happened to be in Portland on his way back from Georgia. Small world indeed.
    After coffee, we decide to visit Chuck E. Cheese in South Portland for a few hours. For those who have children, take your kids to Chuck E. Cheese and you will be tops in their minds (at least for a day). You wouldn’t think such a simple thing as coin-operated games, a talking mouse and cheap prizes would make a kid’s day, but it does.
    When it finally comes time to head home, I asked the girls if they had a good time and what was there favorite thing from the weekend. In unison, “Swimming.” I can’t wait for warm weather so we can put our pool back up.
    Joseph Cyr is a staff writer for the Houlton Pioneer Times. He can be reached at pioneertimes@nepublish.com or 532-2281.