Let the Travels Begin -- Or...Season of Roadtrips.
February 2008:
On Valentine’s Day I asked Jackson if he wanted to call Grandma and Grandpa and wish them a Happy Valentine’s Day. Jackson was in a foul mood and apparently didn’t want to do it. After cajoling him a bit he relented and said: “Fine – just make it quick.” Roger that!
On Valentine’s Day I asked Jackson if he wanted to call Grandma and Grandpa and wish them a Happy Valentine’s Day. Jackson was in a foul mood and apparently didn’t want to do it. After cajoling him a bit he relented and said: “Fine – just make it quick.” Roger that!
First Weekend:
Brian surprised us with a quick trip to Timberridge Lodge in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. There is a huge indoor water park there. Our suite had a kitchen, and a fireplace. Very cute! While sitting in the tub with mommy, Jackson said: “This is what I was dreaming about!”
Brian surprised us with a quick trip to Timberridge Lodge in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. There is a huge indoor water park there. Our suite had a kitchen, and a fireplace. Very cute! While sitting in the tub with mommy, Jackson said: “This is what I was dreaming about!”
Jackson, Brian and I spent our time on the lazy river and slipping down the slides. It was a nice resort, and a great escape from the cold. I particularly liked the fireplace in the room and Jackson had a blast at the build-a-bear type workshop they had for kids. He made a penguine. Fitting for the Midwestern winter weather.
Second Weekend: Valentines’ Weekend.
Apparently not done with his bag of tricks, Brian surprised me with a romantic get-a-way trip to Chicago. We dropped Jackson off at our friends, the Shanahans, and drove up to Chicago to stay at the Intercontinental Hotel. http://www.icchicagohotel.com/. We had dinner and drinks at the top of the Hancock Tower in the Signature Room, shopped, relaxed, and even had spa treatments! Of course, we hit our favorite hot dog place -- Pippens. chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/sports_bar/pippins-tavern-river-north/134965/content - We had an awesome time. The drive up and back was peaceful. However, soon after, Jackson and I wound up sick.
Third Weekend: Parke County Syrup Festival/Midwestern Tri-State Tour:
Apparently not done with his bag of tricks, Brian surprised me with a romantic get-a-way trip to Chicago. We dropped Jackson off at our friends, the Shanahans, and drove up to Chicago to stay at the Intercontinental Hotel. http://www.icchicagohotel.com/. We had dinner and drinks at the top of the Hancock Tower in the Signature Room, shopped, relaxed, and even had spa treatments! Of course, we hit our favorite hot dog place -- Pippens. chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/sports_bar/pippins-tavern-river-north/134965/content - We had an awesome time. The drive up and back was peaceful. However, soon after, Jackson and I wound up sick.
Third Weekend: Parke County Syrup Festival/Midwestern Tri-State Tour:
Armed with every medicine known to mankind, we loaded into the rental car and headed north up I-39 toward Prentice, Wisconsin. The highlight of our trip was marked by our halfway pit stop in Madison, Wisconsin. It was literally so cold, that we opted not to eat lunch there and suffered through one or two pictures in front of the Capital.
Back in the car, we made our way up...and up...and up North to Prentice, WI. As Jackson said: "I think we're in the North Pole!". Apparently the town is quite cute once the layers of snow and ice melt away. There are a bunch of little lakes and inlets -- none of which I could see as it all looked like a frozen tundra to me. We stayed at a cute little log house/cabin for the night. It was a three bedroom place with a little "hide-a-way" cave/fort in the room for Jackson. We had a kitchen, a cedar shower, bath tub, t.v. and kitchen area. There was also a sun porch, which you can imagine we used a TON. Interestingly, there was no fireplace. The house must see more visitors in the summer than in the winter.
After Prentice we made our way to Milwaukee. Four hours and 5 tissue boxes later, we arrived. We stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel and had dinner at Bennihanas. Jackson was mesmerized by the guy chopping up his food in front of him. He ordered shrimp - a bad idea, but Brian got a double portion. The next day, we shopped around a bit while our cold medicine worked. It was cold here too -- and ugly. The snow is old, dirty and piled high up against the side of the roads. No wonder they drink so much in Wisconsin!
We switched hotels that afternoon and stayed at the Pfister - a very nice hotel in Milwaukee. http://www.thepfisterhotel.com/. We took my parent's to the bar at the top of the Pfister when we were first married and living in Wisconsin. The highlight was that Jon Bon Jovi was also staying at the hotel as he was performing somewhere in Milwaukee that night. We didn't see him, but that's our "brush with fame".
Onward! Back to Illinois! Only a two hour drive this time to Chicago. Thank goodness! Jackson and I toured the Field Museum for a few hours and in the evening we had dinner at a cute little Italian place called "Carmines". Jackson and I shared some pasta while he practiced his "gentleman" manners he learned in Pre-K during their Knights and Princess lessons. He held my chair for me, opened doors, and helped me with my coat! Wow! What a night. Only to be topped off by a late night barfing after taking some cold medicine (Jackson, not me).
After Prentice we made our way to Milwaukee. Four hours and 5 tissue boxes later, we arrived. We stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel and had dinner at Bennihanas. Jackson was mesmerized by the guy chopping up his food in front of him. He ordered shrimp - a bad idea, but Brian got a double portion. The next day, we shopped around a bit while our cold medicine worked. It was cold here too -- and ugly. The snow is old, dirty and piled high up against the side of the roads. No wonder they drink so much in Wisconsin!
We switched hotels that afternoon and stayed at the Pfister - a very nice hotel in Milwaukee. http://www.thepfisterhotel.com/. We took my parent's to the bar at the top of the Pfister when we were first married and living in Wisconsin. The highlight was that Jon Bon Jovi was also staying at the hotel as he was performing somewhere in Milwaukee that night. We didn't see him, but that's our "brush with fame".
Onward! Back to Illinois! Only a two hour drive this time to Chicago. Thank goodness! Jackson and I toured the Field Museum for a few hours and in the evening we had dinner at a cute little Italian place called "Carmines". Jackson and I shared some pasta while he practiced his "gentleman" manners he learned in Pre-K during their Knights and Princess lessons. He held my chair for me, opened doors, and helped me with my coat! Wow! What a night. Only to be topped off by a late night barfing after taking some cold medicine (Jackson, not me).
Parke County Covered Bridge Tour and Syrup Festival:
On Saturday we geared up for what we'd been preparing for--literally for weeks -- The Parke County Syrup Festival!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.coveredbridges.com/. I had read about this festival in Midwestern Living. http://www.midwestliving.com/. Apparently this festival was not to be missed. We waited with baited breath as we drove four hours through the South Side of Chicago and Gary, Indiana -- some of the most depressing landscape I've ever seen. But...we knew there was liquid gold at the end of our quest -- Maple Syrup and a festival!
After checking into the Terre Haute Holiday Inn (each room prominently equipped with a bible – Jackson wrote: “I love the Bible” on the notepad), we traveled up through the farm/Amish County of Indiana looking - searching-for the Syrup Festival!!!!! We were in a hurry, as it was rapidly approaching three o'clock and the festival ended at 4:00. Looking everywhere for signs to point us in the right direction, we passed several horse and buggy contraptions and made our way through the windy roads of Western Indiana (or "Illiana" as one sign called it). We thought the festival was at the Turkey Run State Park, but alas...we were a few miles off. Instead, the festival was at the 4H fairgrounds. We learned that from the Park Ranger with a thick Indiana accent. Thank goodness we had Brian to translate the language! I would have had NO idea she said "4H". It didn't sound anything like that! But, as Brian likes to point out: "Indiana is a good place to be from" -- instead of heading to.
Rushing on towards the 4H fairgrounds I searched for the long line of cars or the big banner that would say something to the effect of: "Welcome Syrup Tasters!" I found no lines. I found no banners. I found nothing but a sign smaller than a campaign sign that simply read: "Syrup Festival".
Not to get sappy, but what we found was a bittersweet disappointment. The "festival" was nothing more than a pancake supper at the local 4H building. And when I say "local" referring to this place, I mean the 100 population "local". About four-five stands sold syrup and a few local artists were selling their crappy knock-off paintings of the covered bridges. Stuck in this sticky situation, I was forced to find the positive -- at least there were pancakes and syrup! So we ate, and I do have to admit the syrup tasted sweeter than Aunt Jemima's from the grocery store-- okay, I'm pouring it on right now. This really could have been an Eastern Star/Masonic Temple event in Olympia! I was waiting to run into some of Grandma and Grandpa's friends. I kept thinking of how Grandpa Frank would have really been in his element at this festival.
After 45 minutes at the "festival" (not to mention the 4 hour drive to get there) we drove through the covered bridge trails. Jackson had passed out in a sugar/cold medicine coma in the back seat of the car, so Brian and I were able to meander through the "red trail route" in relative peace and quite. The bridges were really cute, and the weather was clear and sunny. We also saw a hawk, an owl, and several deer.
We also drove through a myriad of dilapidated little towns peppered with double-wides and junk yards. In one town (of about 50 people), we passed the "DNA Daycare". I thought it odd to have to have a DNA day-care, as one man probably fathered all the kids there! Still, we laughed so hard it sent me into a coughing fit again.
Jackson stayed awake long enough on Sunday to join us for a tour of the "yellow route" featuring the "Jackson" and the "Marshall" bridges. As he eloquently put it: "Not another bridge!" when we approached the 5th bridge of the day. I have to admit, at this point, I was sharing his sentiment.
On Saturday we geared up for what we'd been preparing for--literally for weeks -- The Parke County Syrup Festival!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.coveredbridges.com/. I had read about this festival in Midwestern Living. http://www.midwestliving.com/. Apparently this festival was not to be missed. We waited with baited breath as we drove four hours through the South Side of Chicago and Gary, Indiana -- some of the most depressing landscape I've ever seen. But...we knew there was liquid gold at the end of our quest -- Maple Syrup and a festival!
After checking into the Terre Haute Holiday Inn (each room prominently equipped with a bible – Jackson wrote: “I love the Bible” on the notepad), we traveled up through the farm/Amish County of Indiana looking - searching-for the Syrup Festival!!!!! We were in a hurry, as it was rapidly approaching three o'clock and the festival ended at 4:00. Looking everywhere for signs to point us in the right direction, we passed several horse and buggy contraptions and made our way through the windy roads of Western Indiana (or "Illiana" as one sign called it). We thought the festival was at the Turkey Run State Park, but alas...we were a few miles off. Instead, the festival was at the 4H fairgrounds. We learned that from the Park Ranger with a thick Indiana accent. Thank goodness we had Brian to translate the language! I would have had NO idea she said "4H". It didn't sound anything like that! But, as Brian likes to point out: "Indiana is a good place to be from" -- instead of heading to.
Rushing on towards the 4H fairgrounds I searched for the long line of cars or the big banner that would say something to the effect of: "Welcome Syrup Tasters!" I found no lines. I found no banners. I found nothing but a sign smaller than a campaign sign that simply read: "Syrup Festival".
Not to get sappy, but what we found was a bittersweet disappointment. The "festival" was nothing more than a pancake supper at the local 4H building. And when I say "local" referring to this place, I mean the 100 population "local". About four-five stands sold syrup and a few local artists were selling their crappy knock-off paintings of the covered bridges. Stuck in this sticky situation, I was forced to find the positive -- at least there were pancakes and syrup! So we ate, and I do have to admit the syrup tasted sweeter than Aunt Jemima's from the grocery store-- okay, I'm pouring it on right now. This really could have been an Eastern Star/Masonic Temple event in Olympia! I was waiting to run into some of Grandma and Grandpa's friends. I kept thinking of how Grandpa Frank would have really been in his element at this festival.
After 45 minutes at the "festival" (not to mention the 4 hour drive to get there) we drove through the covered bridge trails. Jackson had passed out in a sugar/cold medicine coma in the back seat of the car, so Brian and I were able to meander through the "red trail route" in relative peace and quite. The bridges were really cute, and the weather was clear and sunny. We also saw a hawk, an owl, and several deer.
We also drove through a myriad of dilapidated little towns peppered with double-wides and junk yards. In one town (of about 50 people), we passed the "DNA Daycare". I thought it odd to have to have a DNA day-care, as one man probably fathered all the kids there! Still, we laughed so hard it sent me into a coughing fit again.
Jackson stayed awake long enough on Sunday to join us for a tour of the "yellow route" featuring the "Jackson" and the "Marshall" bridges. As he eloquently put it: "Not another bridge!" when we approached the 5th bridge of the day. I have to admit, at this point, I was sharing his sentiment.
It was a cute fun little trip, but not something we will repeat anytime soon.
+and+Jackson+2008.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment