Teton finally got the house to herself at 11 am. We did a quick stop over to say goodbye to Pepe and we cruised on down the road to get stuck in bumper to bumper traffic on 290 about an hour later.
Starting Mileage: 135,583
Cody was sitting in the car long before I had finished finding the last minute items that needed to be thrown in the van. The beginning of the ride was rather quiet with both kids plugged into their tablets.
A little after two we finally arrived at the Indiana Dunes Campground. The kids helped set up the tent and filled up the water jugs. I have an important job of being the journalist, so I just sat in a chair with my feet up. Just kidding, but really the kids did such an incredible job I was able to watch and help only when needed. We’ve come a long way from the days of trying to figure out what to do with a ten-month-old a three-year-old while we set up camp and make meals. I mean, Cody hasn’t eaten a rock in years! Although he still loves to collect them. After every trip we empty the van and find dozens of pounds of rocks hidden in every nook Cody could find.
Before we even left the campground today Cody was talking out loud more to himself than anyone else, “Probably I’m going to end up filling my sandals with rocks.” We all gave him a tilted head look. “Well! I have nothing else to carry rocks!” He said this while he was playing with rocks and snare wire he found at the campsite. Brooke was diving into a book, but still took the time to shake her head and smile at Cody and his rocks. No fear, Cody was not deprived and required to fill his sandals with rocks. I did remember to smuggle a bucket into the van just before we left home, much to the dismay of Scott who had strategically packed every square inch of real estate the van had to offer. The best part of the rocks today was that after Cody spent hours collecting, polishing, and appreciating his rocks, Scott told Cody he could take home only one. Cody looked dismayed, but didn’t argue. His clearly pained look of indecision and momentary hesitation resulted in Scott saying, “Okay, you can take them to the campsite and then decide.” I’m not bringing it up, but I’m pretty sure no rocks were abandoned in the making of this day.
Notice how beautiful and sunny it was when we arrived at the beach. The sand was so hot it actually burnt the bottoms of our feet as we not so gracefully danced to our spot. Okay, Brooke danced gracefully, the rest of us squirmed in burnt foot anguish. The kids worked hard digging a hole near a log. Then Scott offered to help and before I could move, my chair was getting sucked into their hole. Cody wouldn’t give me a smile for the camera all day, but he had a giant smile when they dug the hole large enough for Cody to crawl underneath the log.
After growing of tired digging and directing Cody to get water Brooke began to dance and even directed a few slow motion films staring herself, and as long as he let her, and Cody too. Notice the clouds in this picture. This is the second time we have come to this beach with sunny weather and left with chilly clouds. We still managed to get in hours of fun before Cody’s blue lips and uncontrollable shaking, that he didn’t seem to notice, pushed us to find our next adventure.
Scott built a fire and cooked burgers and Alfredo noodles for dinner. Cody asked to go to bed around eight. I was more than happy to retreat to the non-mosquitoed tent. The mosquitoes weren’t bad until dusk. We put on layers and bug spray, but the hungry dinner crashers were un-phased. We were able to enjoy a mildly warm sleep with the fly off.
