To the Lake

We were back at Lake Michigan on a gorgeous summer day. We went to a different park this time, Kirk Park, which I think we all enjoyed as much, if not more than PF Hoffmaster State Park. At any rate, the water was the perfect temperature to cool us off from the summer heat. We caught a photo session of the newly wed couple on the beach, too. You think I should offer this photo to them? Hmm...

On the way, several farm stands and berry farms offered the season's produce. This corn stand pictured here had a self-serve/ honor system box. $3 for 12 ears of corn. I have never heard of such a thing!

We are visiting with the grandparents for a few days before heading up to a northern Michigan lake for a week. We are enjoying all the things that a midwestern summer has to offer!

Porch

At our new house, we have a front porch, and a backyard: novel ideas for a family from coastal California.

What's more, sitting on the swing in the front porch means that we can observe a family of rabbits going about their forage in the mornings and afternoons. Who said we can't find wildlife is central Ohio?

Hocking Hills State Park

We have been in Ohio for a few days now. A few very hot days, I might add.

The heat broke yesterday when we were blessed with a good amount of rain. And today was a beautiful summer day with blue skies, puffy white clouds, and relatively low humidity.

We had been studying up the possibilities of explorations around here. To our surprise, there are quite a few places within an hour or so drive that interest us. Because Columbus is in the middle of the state, we have a choice of all directions possible.

Today we chose to go southeast of Columbus, to Hocking Hills State Park, where we are promised waterfalls, and caves, and a lake to swim in.

Not too long after leaving the city, we started to see some hills. Yes, hills, in the middle of this flat, corn-everywhere-land. The closer we got to Hocking Hills area, the more we felt like we could have been somewhere in Maine, or Vermont, or New Hampshire.

The State Park itself was worth a trip (and it's free! All Ohio State Parks are free! Amazing). The lake was bath-water temperature. The kids enjoyed playing in it without getting cold. But I tell you, everywhere I looked: the landscape, the people, the plant life, I was reminded that I am not in California anymore.

And that's okay. Life will be just as full, and adventurous. Ohio, and its surroundings, will offer us plenty of beauty and surprises. I am sure of it.

Destination accomplished!

After more than 3,500 miles, 11 states, and 46 state license plates gathered, we are home.

The trip went surprisingly well, and I would even say, it was a relatively painless trip (physically and mentally). The kids deserve a badge of some kind. Asked what they thought of it? Momo said: "It was hard!". Would you do it again? "Yes!" he said.

I think there is a future long road trip for the boys in the family. As for the girls, we will be quite happy booking some plane tickets, thank you.

Thanks to all who followed us on our journey. We are happily settling into our new hometown of Bexley, Ohio. We have met most of our neighbors already, one of whom came in within the first 20 minutes of our arrival with a basket full of cookies and all of our mail (Thanks Abby!). The kids have climbed trees with their new friends, and we have acquired the ever so necessary library cards.

All of that, plus the 95 degree with high humidity weather have us confirmed that we are no longer in coastal California, but a truly hospitable midwestern town.

Roadtrip: Cherries

On the way back from the lake, we stopped at Rasch Cherries for some picking. How is it that I had never gone cherry picking before? All kinds of 'firsts' on this trip, which is the way things should be.

The kids also had their first experience picking cherries, which they quickly learned that it is hard work. The summer heat was not helpful either, but we did pick enough for some eating and pie making.

Roadtrip: Foraging

Just by grandma and grandpa's house, there is a path along Silver Creek. Last year, we found some wild black raspberries along here, so this year, we were hopeful.

And did we find some black jewels! Along with hundreds, no make that, thousands of mosquitoes! Oh, and at the end of the path were some golden raspberries...what a successful forage we had.

We are debating what to do with the find. A little tart? A pie? Or just eat them as is?

Roadtrip: Lake Michigan

We made it across the Mississippi River, into Michigan.

Our fun-stop yesterday was at Warren Dune State Park, in Western Michigan. The day was glorious, the lake was crystal clear. The kids asked if they could go to a spot "with not so many people?" Spoiled Californian children.

What's more, a homemade meal was waiting for us upon our arrival at the grandparents' house. Our journey is not quite over, but it's great to be back with family again.

Roadtrip: Little Town on the Prairie

This is a replica of the house that 'Pa' built for the family.

De Smet, South Dakota was where the Ingalls family spent a lot of time during the pioneering days (after Pepin Wisconsin, somewhere in MN, and Kansas). We got to spend a little time visiting on the very land that the family lived on.

It was a worthwhile detour for sure (more than an hour off the interstate). The kids loved the hands-on activities (grinding wheat, doing laundry, making rope, making corn-husk dolls), and the beautiful day allowed us to be outside, on this beautiful piece of land.

We are in full farm-country now. Corn as far as the eyes could see.

For lunch, we stopped at Sioux City, Iowa for big bowls of Vietnamese Pho (and they were good!). Our last night on the road is being spent at a rather strange, old, musty motel in Iowa City. Thankfully, we are on the road to Michigan, to grandparents' home tomorrow!

Roadtrip: Breakfast

We woke up to this pancake this morning. I guess this is what 'Ma' used to make for Laura in their little house in the big woods. How lucky are our kids?

The Prairie House Manor has been a nice home away from home.

Roadtrip: South Dakota

Lake Pactola, Blackhills National Forest

Mt. Rushmore

By Pactola Lake, near our campsite

The Badlands

5 cents coffee, only in Wall Drug, in Wall, South Dakota

Crossing the Missouri River which means we have left the cowboy country behind.

Where are we?

Oh yes, still in South Dakota!

It's been a long trip, you see, and all the days and nights and activities are blending into one... But let's see if I can get South Dakota straight here.

We spent a good part of yesterday checking out the areas around Blackhills National Forest. We visited Mt. Rushmore and saw the impressive busts of the four great American Presidents. We tried to see Jewel Cave National Park but could not enter without a reservation (lesson learned), we saw Crazy Horse monument from afar, and we played by our campsite in the late evening sun.

Today we crossed the state passing by Badlands National Park (which totally deserves its name). And to satisfy Jim's childhood memories of being a mid-western boy, we stopped at Walldrug (think cheesy Country Western stuff), the Corn Palace (ummm...I don't have a lot to say about this one), and last but not least, The Ingalls Homestead in De Smet, South Dakota.

We are staying in De Smet tonight, in a B&B next to the original house that 'Pa' built. Tomorrow we will get to learn more about this famous family's story and apparently the kids can ride the wagon just the way Laura used to. Can you imagine our little girl's exciting on this one? I think I am a little giddy about it, too.

We are very much in the Plains now. The bears, the cowboys, and mountains are all behind us. We are already sensing the Midwestern hospitality here. Good stuff.

Roadtrip: Prairie Dog

Okay, this little guy deserves his own blog post.

He is a prairie dog. I don't know how I spent 34 years without having seen them before. I am also not sure why they are cuter than their relatives: gophers, squirrels, you know, other rodents. But they are cute, and they do make this barky sound, hence their name! There is a big colony of them at the base of Devil's Tower.

Roadtrip: Wyoming

Here is a little photo essay of what we saw today crossing the state of Wyoming:

On the road again...!

If you look really closely, there are two moose in the far distance!

Landscapes of Wyoming

Old Sheriff Wagon...Cool, eh?

Boot country!

Mr. Cowboy showing some kids a trick (!??)

Devil's Tower National Monument

And they do get out of the car and play!

Saloon in Hulett, WY

This is where we ate dinner!

We left Yellowstone at 7am, hoping to catch more wildlife on the way out of the park. And we kind of did...we kind of saw a moose at the East end of the park entrance. (Can I just be a proud mother and brag that our kids had no problem going from waking up at 6:40 to being in the car by 7am? They have been awesome! But you might want to ask me again tomorrow).

And then...it was a LONG drive across this massive state, almost 400 miles! All true cowboy country, I tell you!

The topography changed dramatically as we went from the Yellowstone area, to the middle of the cowboy country, to Bighorn National Forest area.

Finally, we arrived at Devil's Tower National Monument, our destination for the day. Actually, we are staying in Hulett (just north of Devil's Tower), a tiny hamlet out of a Western movie with Saloons and Elk horns as decorations.

Heading to the Badlands and Mt. Rushmore tomorrow!