Trebuchet!

Yesterday afternoon was one of those gorgeous fall afternoons begging to be enjoyed, so Joel, Ty, and I went out to Johnson's Pumpkin Farm to watch a trebuchet pumpkin launch. The trebuchet is over 40 feet tall with a counterweight of 10,000 pounds, and it was able to hurl the 78 lb. pumpkin over 600 feet. It was awesome! Joel and Ty have been intrigued by the medieval siege weapons for several years, even built a small model, so it was a real treat to see a full size trebuchet in motion. Of course, they had several ideas for improvements, but I won't go into that. On the way home, Ty was laughing at me for explaining to a group of older people how the weapons were used in medieval times, and what items were launched over fortress walls...dead bodies and animals (to spread disease), decapitated heads, etc. He was humored because everything I told them I learned from him. I guess I can't say he's good for nothing, then, can I? ; ) Love you, Ty.

(We might get some video posted if we can figure out how to make it work.)