Big Wheels

When Ann and John were really little we got them each a tricycle for Christmas. Specifically, these were Big Wheels made by Mattel. It probably isn’t necessary to explain these as they seem to be universally well known, which means I am going to describe them anyway.

The Big Wheels were built low to the ground and were virtually impossible to turn over. They were like recumbent bikes with a seatback so the kids could generate great power and acceleration even though they were small. Best of all in the kids’ minds, they were all plastic so they made a loud rumbling noise as they traveled across the concrete. I did not know that when I bought them.

These were the best toys of all time. Ann and John spent hours pedaling those tricycles up and down the driveway. We’d put out obstacles for them to weave around, and sometimes open the garage doors so they could speed in one door, make a controlled skid on the smooth pavement, and zip out the other door.

The kids worked so hard on the trikes that their faces would turn red and would soak whatever they were wearing with sweat. They were disgusting after a session on the tricycles. In an attempt to keep them cool we began a steady practice of keeping John’s hair in a buzz-cut, and Ann’s hair as short as socially acceptable. They basically kept these hairstyles through high school.

Unbeknownst to us when we bought our house in Stone Mountain, there was a low spot in front of the garage door that became a large puddle two inches deep after every rain. It was of considerable size and did not evaporate for several days. Of course the kids took great pleasure in riding the Big Wheels through the puddle at great speed and splashing the dirt, grit, and dead worms that had collected there all over themselves and the bikes.

Sometimes the garden hose preceded bath-time at night.

Sometimes the garden hose preceded lunch!