Family Fun-Going to the Cabin

We had decided to have a family get-together with all my immediate family and their significant others. We wanted to do something a little different, so we decided to rent a cabin in southern Indiana.
We traveled by horse and buggy.

Just kidding.

This was a sight that caught my attention, some Amish on the highway. The shoulders aren't very big, so it must be a little scary for them dealing with the traffic.

Our car was one of the first to arrive in the area, and thanks to the invention of cell phones and people who manage not to lose them (I lost mine on the second day of the trip), we were able to meet up with one of my brothers and his wife at a hiking trail. We had time to take a short hike before check-in time at the cabin. My sister-in-law Mary quickly took the opportunity to get to know Emma.
The leaves were turning, but many had already fallen on the ground.

The baby carrier was in a different car, so Emma got the royal princess treatment and was carried on her makeshift throne.

The trail had some fun parts, like this scramble down a rocky area.

Emma looks a little worried.

Don't be worried, Emma, your uncle can manage all sorts of terrain, even at high speeds.

Some pretty fall colors.

Sometimes when I go back to the Midwest I feel claustrophobic with so many trees around me, but this time I didn't. I think it helped that the weather was wonderful.

The trail crossed an almost dry creek. We saw fish in some isolated pools. Hopefully it rains soon for them.

The trail led up to a huge alcove in some cliffs.

I had fun photographing profiles as people walked past me.

My brother Andrew was ready to ham it up.

And Mary is ready to dance her way down the trail.

The rest of the hike was enjoyable.

Then we got lost driving to the cabin. Some of those back roads can sure wind up and down and around and around. Fortunately we eventually got some instructions and made it to our desired destination.

The cabin was off the highway and had lots of open space around it. That was good, because Matt and Mary had brought the game corn hole (toss-the-beanbag type of game), and we played it a lot.

The cabin was a good spot for everyone to get more acquainted with the newest member of the family, two-month old Claire.

That evening we brought out the entertainment--costumes. We were planning to film a sequel to our last family movie.

Some of the costumes were a little too crazy for this blog. Needless to say, we were entertained!

Family Fun-Part Deux

After a lovely evening in South Bend visiting friends, we got back on the train (insert extremely loud train whistle sound that Desert Boy makes frequently). We rode an hour and got off to meet my parents. They knew Desert Boy's penchant for trains, so we went to a train-themed cafe for lunch. It had four trains running overhead while we ate.

Afterwards we went outside to the restored caboose.

The interior is absolutely beautiful, and I was surprised how spacious it was.

Grandpa and Desert Boy sat at the table and talked about something. Maybe trains.

Grandma and Emma played.

Emma spent a lot of time sticking out her tongue because she had gotten her first tooth the night before, and I think she was trying to figure out what that sharp little thing in her mouth was.

While we were in the caboose, it started pouring. It was interesting how the sky just got dark and then the rain came. I'm used to the more dramatic desert storms, with the huge cumulonimbus clouds. I'm also used to being able to see the rain coming from a long way off. It was a little surprising how quickly it crept up on us.

Then we went to my hometown, and that night I got to go out with some friends. I think we could have kept talking all night long. It's so great to be able to just pick up where we left off, even though we hadn't seen each other in person in a couple of years. Thanks, ladies!

The next morning we were off again, to my brother and sister-in-law's house. Along the Interstate we saw a huge wind farm, stretching about ten miles long and wider than we could see.

The turning blades are a bit mesmerizing and probably something of a traffic hazard! They need to put up a sign that says "Wind mills ahead. Do not charge."

Sorry, I still remember Don Quixote from high school Spanish class.

Our first stop in Indianapolis was the Art Museum greenhouse. I especially liked the orchid room. It smelled heavenly, and the bright, beautiful flowers were gorgeous.

We met my sister-in-law and her two kids, and Desert Boy and Maria quickly had fun together.

They both had a lot of energy and were checking everything out.

The leaves on the trees were changing. Nature's art was definitely giving the displayed art a run for the money.

Desert Boy running.

Maria leading Grandpa.

And then a picnic. Desert Girl had fun trying to get to everyone's food.

The 100 Acres exhibit has scattered art works, and we took a walk to see some of them.

One of the kids' favorites were the benches. Or were they slides?

They were certainly a lot of fun.

The kids got worn out (and maybe the adults, too), and it was time to head back.

And what better way to end the day than three kids playing in the tub!?

Family Fun--Part One

I took the kids back to the Midwest to visit family and friends on a fun trip. We covered a lot of miles in a relatively short time, and I'm so glad that we have some photos to help remember what we did.

There are so many contrasts between our desert home and the area where I grew up. Going from the wide open vistas where you can see a car ten miles away to crowded interstates and lots of stop lights is one big difference. Another is going from our scant six inches of precipitation to a year to 35 inches a year--folks don't have to water their gardens, things just grow. To think how many years I took water for granted.

One of the highlights of the trip was introducing Emma to her cousins, aunts, uncles, and other relatives and friends. She had a little cold at the beginning of the trip and also had two teeth emerge, so she wasn't exactly the fun-loving kid she usually is. Nevertheless, she had some good moments where she showed off her happy spirit.
Desert Boy enjoyed all sorts of attention, even when he was being squashed.

After a delicious dinner and catching up a bit with wonderful relatives, we headed to bed on our first night relatively early.

The next day Uncle Phil and Aunt Roberta helped us schlep all our stuff to downtown Chicago. We went on the "el," the elevated train. As soon as we had paid and were on the platform, Desert Boy declared he had to pee.

Of course there was no bathroom in sight, and I knew he wouldn't be able to survive the 30 minute ride downtown.

So he got to pee on the tracks.

Apparently Mythbusters has done a segment that shows that peeing on the third track, the electrified one, will not kill you. Good thing.

We were able to make it to our next train, the South Shore Line, with no problems. Thanks so much, Uncle Phil and Aunt Roberta, for all your help!

Desert Boy was having a great day--two trains!!

He and Emma enjoyed looking out the window on the 2 and 1/2 hour trip to South Bend. Fortunately we weren't on a rush hour train, so we had extra space to move around.

We saw lots of things we're not used to, like the big smokestacks at U.S. Steel.

And a nuclear power plant.

The fall colors were great, with lots of red leaves, and provided a nice interlude along the industrial corridor.

The ride was smooth, and soon we were meeting up with our friends.

We had fun eating out and trying some different food.

Then we went for a lovely walk along the river. The scenery was beautiful, and the weather couldn't have been better.

Desert Boy had to pee, of course.

And there was no bathroom around.

It's a good thing he's not worried about modesty.

My friend Kristen brought her daughters, and Desert Boy had so much fun playing and going off with his new friends.

Ruther and Amanda helped get Emma and her stroller up and down the stairs.

We found a playground and the kids played until it was dark. We did some group shots and then decided we better head back, since it was a school night.

Desert Boy didn't have to go to bed early, so he played a raucous game of hide'n seek with Caesar, the dog. I'm not sure which had a better time!

To be continued...