The Waxhaw Skatepark in Historic Downtown Waxhaw was an unexpected surprise.

When we first drove by the Waxhaw Skatepark, plastic bottles littered the ramps and teens with droopy pants and droopier hair stared down our car (still with NJ plates!) as we crawled to a stop. A couple with three kids sat in the bed of their pickup truck smoking as their toddlers explored the adjacent park. Not the scene I hoped for. We promised to return tomorrow, citing the storm clouds for our quick getaway back home. So when we went the next day, I was apprehensive. As we pulled into a parking spot, a Waxhaw police officer was escorting those droopy teens around the park as they picked up all the litter. Smirk-on-face and board-in-hand, they left the park. The officer assured us the kids could skate–as long as they wore their helmets.

With that, the boys strapped on their gear and took to the ramps. William–not able to balance–turned to belly-boarding with an addictive, exhilarating laugh. Chris, skateboarder extraordinaire (?), navigated the flat parts and inched towards the ramps to steal glances at the skills of two other 10-ish boys that showed up. After an hour-plus of skating and an entire gallon of water, we all headed home.

It’s now on Chris’ weekly exercise agenda–barring any appearances of droopy teens or other shady characters. Oh, yes, and while standing near a metal bench shaped like a skateboard, I was approached by two 20-somethings about joining their church…and checking out their group’s website about “What’s missing in your marriage?” Nothing, thank you very much! We have everything we need.