»

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Welcome Home: Glen Ellyn, IL

I hope everyone reading my new blog will take the time to flip through my road trip posts. (I meant to post as we were going, but never had the time to do it.) Just click on the archives to the right starting with May, then June and July. That is the fastest way to get through all the excitement.
I want to hear if you have visited the same places or plan to some day, so make sure to comment!

The kids had great attitudes the entire trip, even without the DVD player that I forgot to buy. (I thought we would be stopping off at a Walmart for that one!) They were fun and adventurous and happy wherever we were.
Madeline's highlights were the Redwoods and Arches and Mount Rushmore.
Maxwell's highlights were Great Wolf Lodge and Custer State Park's Wildlife Loop.
Todd's highlights were Humboldt National and State Park and his Mom's house.
My favorite's were the Redwoods, Bryce Canyon and the Biggest Ball of Twine.

Their backpacks got heavier and heavier as the trip went on. Here they are now, covered in badges and memories.

So now we are home. I am so excited to sleep in my own bed and have a clean toilet and shower at my disposal. And I almost forgot about the washer and dryer and other clothes. (I have been wearing the same sweatshirt and jeans rotation for far too long.)
We are worn out. We definitely need some pajama days.
You know, the days when they take a bath and then put on clean pajamas and just wear them all day?
Love those days.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Now where are we going, Mom?


As soon as we got into the car for the long haul home, the kids started chatting about where we were going next. I told them, "Nowhere. We are heading home." Max handed Maddie his note pad. "Maddie. Write down this list for me. O.K. When we get home, we are going on my road trip. And everybody has to follow my plan for our next road trip." Maddie dutifully wrote down his itinerary as follows:

1. Great Wolf Lodge
2. Cousin Paige's house for 2 months
3. Utah Grandma's house
4. India
5. Africa for a Safari
6. Hawaii
7. The Rainforest
8. Space
9. California Grandma's house
10. Great Wolf Lodge

After his list was complete, he read it to us. I said, "Max, that sounds fun. I'm up for it."

Todd quickly chimed in. "But Max, you have to be older to go to India." Max was shocked. "What? Older? What do you mean? How much older do I have to be?" I think Todd decided on 16. He explained that you have to be bigger and tougher to be able to handle the heat and the germs that other countries can have. Surprisingly, Max accepted this and he and Maddie started thinking of other things we could do for the rest of the summer.

I have a few ideas of my own. I want to visit Madeline Island, one of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. I want to visit our friends the Katzoff's in Saint Louis. I want to go to Springfield and the Illinois State Fair. I want to do a million things. But first... I want to rest and make sure Maddie is healthy. She has developed a cough on this trip that has me worried.

Homeward Bound!

Henry Doorley Zoo: Omaha, NB

The Henry Doorly Zoo is one of America's best zoos. We were excited to visit. Todd was especially looking forward to exploring the Desert Dome.
There are a lot of zoo keeper chats throughout the day. Here the kids were able to pet a snake.












In the Lagoon Island exhibit, there were a bunch of little Spider and Squirrel Monkeys climbing around on this man-made Banyan tree that the kids were playing in. There were many places in the zoo where the animals were right out with you, not caged away.















The Skyfari was fun.




















Maddie and Max enjoyed feeding the Budgies and petting the goats.

We had a nice time at the Doorly Zoo, but we are ready to get home. We have been gone for a month and a half now. We need to get back to our own beds and stay in one place for a while.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Sod House Museum: Gothenburg, NB

The Sod House Museum was another quick stop we made. I liked being able to go inside the Sod House to see how some of the early settlers lived.


























Why a sod house?
Well, the first thing these settlers had to do was to provide a shelter for themselves and their families. Because there was a scarcity of trees, and importing lumber very expensive, they turned to the very land they walked on. Having seen how the Indians used the sod to create a home, they followed suit and soon were building their homes out of sod blocks. This led to the settlers sometimes being referred to as "sodbusters."















If you are looking for barbed-wire art or face-in-the-hole photo opportunities, this is your stop.

Pony Express Station: Gothenburg, NB

We made a quick stop here at one of the original Pony Express Stations. The door was open as we walked up. Maddie was asking me where we were going. I tried to explain a little bit abut the Pony Express to her. Then she said, "Oh, and then they made it into a gift shop?"
Pretty much!
They do have some artifacts inside as well.
A little history: During the time from April 3, 1860 to late October 1861 the Pony Express riders were providing the fastest mail delivery between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California.

In total there were 183 men that were riders for the Pony Express during this period of just over 18 months. They had to be young, skinny men, not over 18 and must have been expert riders. It was said they had to be willing to risk death daily and that orphans were preferred.

The end of the Pony Express happened on October 24, 1861. The route could not be continued with the outbreak of the Civil War, the lack of getting a government mail contract, and the debt incurred by the owners.

Fort Cody: North Platte, NB

Why visit Fort Cody?
Because it is the only place to stop for a
loooooooong waaaaaaaays.









































Don't get me wrong.
I love this place.
One of the main attractions is the Two-Headed Calf.
You can take your picture with a strange pretend native american guy.
Our favorite part was Buffalo Bill's Miniature Wild West Show that runs every half hour, and features over 20,000 tiny hand-carved figures populate moving dioramas of Bill's show, which traveled across America and even to Europe in 1877. (The scenes were created by Ernie and Virginia Palmquist over a 12 year period.)
They have an Old West Museum in the back also.

And of course an awesome gift shop.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center: Westminster, CO

We had a great time at the Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center. They have nice, hands-on experiences and a fun play area.

Max got to hold Rosie the Tarantula.
He asked the lady, "Can you put it on my head?"












The butterflies loved Judge and Tatum!



























They have a great play area that gets the kids feel bug sized.

Picking their favorite butterflies.

Eldorado Canyon State Park: Eldorado Springs, CO

























Maddie and Max had a great time with their Colorado cousins! We went to Eldorado Canyon State Park, had a nice picnic and played by the river.

I have to say, Colorado is gorgeous. I could live there quite happily. (Not that I want to move again. Don't get any ideas Todd!) My niece and nephews are so cute, smart and fun. They are funny, confident and spirited. Maddie and Max had the best time hanging out with Tatum, Judge and little Tag. They did not want to leave!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Colorado National Monument: Fruita, CO

We started our explorations of Colorado National Monument at the Visitor's Center. The kids got their Junior Rangers books (which were the nicest, full-color booklets we have seen on the whole trip) and decided on which hike to take. The Canyon Rim Trail was a half mile hike along the edge of the canyon.




















Maddie and Max were constantly reminding us to stay on the trail so that we "don't bust the crust."

Sweet little Madeline started feeling light headed about half-way through the hike. She was pale and just wanted to lie down. Todd carried her back to the Visitor's Center to cool off and hydrate.
She started feeling better, so the kids were able to finish their booklets and earn their Junior Ranger badges.
We took the Rim Rock Drive down and out of the monument. It is a lovely, 23-mile scenic drive. The road seems almost inseparable from the monument. There are many pull-over spot for incredible views and photo moments.
Unfortunately, we should have gone the shorter way out since we had Maddie feeling a little fragile and Max getting carsick everywhere.
My worst road trip nightmare come true: "Only 22 miles of scenic road to go kids!"