Wow, three days without Internet. What were we thinking?

On Monday we found our way to the Outlets in Albertville just before Minneapolis. All the trouble to get there and we only visited a couple of stores. Doesn’t take long to get bored of that, so we made our way to Oakdale, Wisconsin, but not before stop at a the Cheese Haus to pick up some Wisconsin cheese.

The campground that we were at that night was basically a field, but it did have some simple climbing structures for the kids and a very nice shower. Off again bright and early at 10am (it takes a while to pack up).

On Tuesday, after leaving there Oakdale, we drove to Zion, Illinois via the I-94, around Madison and then along Lake Michigan. It was a wonderful, slow drive with amazing neighbourhoods and views. If there was ever a place that I would consider buying a house on the great lakes, this would be one place.

The camp site we had that night was in the Illinois Beach State Park. It was very nice. Not as clean as the others, but that is what government control is all about. We set up camp, then headed to town for some ice cream and grocery shopping at Piggly Wiggly. We even had a camp fire with marshmallows that night. After cleaning the dinner mess, we headed over the to beach. It was on a deserted section of beach (known for the occasional asbestos debris) but the water was very nice and the sky over the water was lit up by the setting sun behind us (we were looking east, just so you get the picture). The water was kind of cold so no one ventured in past their ankles. The kids just played in the sand, as always. At dusk, the mosquitos…oh the mosquitos…had their fill as well.

In the morning, the weather was perfect so we had a good solid breakfast of fried luncheon meat and scrambled eggs. Not the champaign of luncheon meat the Maple Leaf makes, but that is the sacrifice we make.

With everything cleaned up and the van packed we headed to the water again. This time we were there to swim. At least Amelia and I were. We had our wetsuits and boy did we need them. I stood in the water for about 5 minutes waiting for my body to adjust to the temperature, but that didn’t happen before the pain of set in. I decided that I had better just jump in. The water was cold and after a little swimming, my muscle didn’t hurt quite as much. Seeing me come out of the water looking all fresh, Natalie wanted to join me. So I carried her into the water. She was rather shocked from the cold as well, and she did well after a minute or so. Amelia took about as long to get in as me and enjoyed it about as much. Very refreshing!

On Wednesday, we made our way along the coast towards Chicago so that we could drive along Lake Shore Blvd and Michigan Ave. As far as cities go, downtown Chicago is one of my favourites and we quickly added it to places to live during our lives. The activity, the sites, the lake. All wonderful.

After a little driving around the city, we made our way onto the highway again and headed out towards Indiana. We stopped in Munster, Indiana for lunch, and I was disappointed that I didn’t see any hearses driving around. Off again with focus on getting to the next campground. However, along the way I found a field of wind mills and having never been close to one, we ventured off the highway to get a closer look. They are HUGE. And so it the corn in the fields around it.

Back on the road with a focus on getting to the next campground (kids are getting anxious). However…we found another outlet mall and Amelia wanted to check to see if the Columbia store had any kids rain coats that we couldn’t find in Albertville. No luck. Back on the road with a focus…

And we finally made it to the Columbux Woods and Waters campground. This was a great campground for fireflies and frogs and we were lulled asleep by hundreds of frog getting their courting on. In the morning, Matthew made friends with a firefly and they played with it for quite some time. Now we are busy working and they are playing with another boy in the basketball court.

Today, Thursday, we are off to Nashville (or at least outside of it). Not sure what we are going to do. First things first, I have some emergencies to handle, we have to go swimming and get some lunch before we get out on the road again. I will write again as soon as possible, and that might be in Warner Robins.