Mt. Pleasant Classical Academy

Tuesday, 20th

Out the door at 5am we were on our way to Balmorhea State Park. It was nice to have control of the air conditioning as we drove through 99 degree heat sitting in 75 degree comfort. No one was telling us that we should just toughen it up and learn to deal with the heat, no, we were riding in comfort.

At the little town of Midland, TX (home to Pres and Laura Bush) we stopped to visit the C.A.F. (another air force museum). This little museum had a wonderful explanation of the events leading up to WWII and the events of WWII. I really enjoyed reading their displays while MK pointed out one weapon after another. His favorite item was the B29, but he also liked looking at the nose art, what little of it we permitted him to see. If someone from the movie industry gave it a rating I think it would have an R or maybe an X. SK moved him out of the room really quickly, very protective of his little brother’s innocence. SK favorite was the FE4.

As we continued to drive across the flat, dry area of SW TX we spotted Dust Devil after Dust Devil, finally chasing one down the highway and passing it by just a few yards.  What a huge cloud of dust swirling up and up in the air.  The boys took turns taking photos and discussing what causes such a sight. 

Finally we arrived at Balmorhea State Park as the outside air reached 107 degrees. The boys quickly set up the tent while I pulled the kitchen gear out of the car. We changed into our suits and drove over the pool. The water was a cool 75 degrees and felt oh so refreshing. It was now 5pm. SK and MK shared goggles to examine the fish and I took a turn with them swimming across the pool. This pool is fed by 3 million gallons of spring water everyday and the pool covers 1-3/4 acres of land, 25′ deep.

Suddenly my skin started itching, my legs, arms, back,… it felt like it was on fire and my wrists felt swollen. I headed out of the water, fought off nausea feelings, and dizziness while I laid my upper body onto a picnic table. I called for SK to get me help before collapsing to the ground. While I didn’t pass out I thought I would if I didn’t lay down. Was I having an allergic reaction? What was going on with me? I never felt so instantaneously ill — no, that doesn’t even come close to describe how awful I felt.  

SK ran, retrieved the park manager who took me to his very cold office and offered to get the ENT but thought I was just suffering from heat exhaustion. I honesty do not see how it could be that since I wasn’t out in the heat for anytime at all. I had been drinking water and was in a 70 degree car all day and then into cool water. Perhaps it was just dehydration although I really wondered if I wasn’t reacting to something in the spring water. We’ll never know since SK wouldn’t allow me back in the water before we left the following day.

Almost immediately after going into the cold park’s office I started shivering. Uncontrollable shivering. What was going on with me? It was a very worrisome hour but finally I was back at our campsite, laying in the tent, shivering in 105 degree heat, drinking water and trying to figure out whether or not I should go to the hospital. It reminded me of the experience Frankie at Kitchen Table Learners had when she was away from home and sick—what would happen to her child? And now here I was, dizzy, nausea, shivering, and worried about my condition and the situation I had gotten my boys into. WTF was I thinking taking them so far away from home and from their dad?

SK heated up a couple cans of ravioli, forced me to eat a couple spoonfuls along with a liter of water and spoke to his Dad every few minutes giving him an update. Finally we agreed at around 10pm that I should stay in camp, drink water and get away from this heat—-92 degrees and very dry wind even early in the early morning hours.

What would I have done without his help? Somewhere between those yesterdays of a Spirited Child, and now this son has become a very responsible young man.

Dehydration or allergic reaction? or was it both? I really would like to know!