Skiing Double

During our family's July 4th Get-Away, Isaac and Aaron asked me to video them waterskiing together behind our boat.

To perform their new feat, they'd pulled out waterskis and a tow rope my mom's sister used in the 1970s from the boathouse. Although the two ropes were different lengths and the old skis lacked a steering fin, Isaac mastered the old gear. Their practices went perfect. Unfortunately when I joined the crew and began to film, the old rope snapped even before Isaac pulled up.

"That's it!" boat driver Dad declared. "We're done."

Isaac was determined to keep going. He managed to retie the rope in the center of the handle so the brothers could give Skiing Double another go.The knot worked. And, Isaac even mastered holding the awkward handle through their first three-minute stint, which ended when Aaron got slack in his longer rope.

At the start of this second go-round video, Isaac looked over at his younger brother to complain, "What? I missed the memo to drop a ski." Not only did Aaron want to "one-up" big brother, but he was tired from the first round. As Aaron dropped out, Isaac finished with solo slalom show.

Here's to youth, determination and Skiing Double!

In memory of their great aunt - Laurie...