Monday June 2 -
Sunday June 8
Indiana Dunes and the Indiana Burgoynes
Argh!!! We lost more tread this week!!!
The first half of the week, we visited Indiana Dunes and
rested in anticipation of the second half of the week when we
visited the Indian Burgoynes.
Monday, June 2:
We left Racine, Wisconsin and headed to the world renowned
Indiana Dunes on the southern shores of Lake Michigan (131 miles).
It was a rainy day and we had to pass around Chicago.
The best route to take is I-294, a toll way, around the west side of
the city to avoid passing through downtown Chicago and the numerous
lane changes, clogged traffic, and confusing directions.
I-294 has got to be highway robbery. It felt like the
trailer was just clearing the previous toll booth when I was stopping
the truck at the next one. Also, there are oasis along the
toll road to allow you to stop for a break and use the “facilities.”
But truck (and RV) parking at the first and fourth were closed
and the second and third were completely full with trucks (no place
to park) so we had to hold it to the far side of Chicago, just
before the Indiana border before parking and running in (of course
in the rain).
Not a fun drive in heavy rain with tolls but it was not too
bad. I think there were six toll stops with total tolls
for the truck and trailer at something like $15. Not bad.
We arrived at the Indiana Dunes State
Park campgrounds and were impressed. A nice place to
park-it for three nights and catch up after expending such energy
“wearing out” the four grandkids in Wisconsin. And, I was able
to manually crank up the antenna with a wrench so we could watch
“24.”
Indiana Dunes State Park Campground
Tuesday, June 3:
Today is our first official “sightseeing” day of our Great
Lakes trip. Hurry up, let’s go. What are we going to
see?
We started out at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center to get
some ideas and watch a short film. We were greeted by a
friendly staff and they were very appreciative that we drove all the
way from California just to see them.
Our first stop was to the area’s finest beach; right next
to a large US Steel plant.
We're not in California anymore!!! |
The Chicago skyline from Indiana Dunes |
Our next stop was to tour and hike around “Joseph Bailly,
Fur Trader, Homestead” and “Chellberg Farm and the Swedish
Community.” So why did we do this? Because they were
there and we needed to stop for our picnic lunch and get some
exercise, why else?
Well, Joe Bailly was an early settler of this area
(northwest Indiana) which was mostly swamp land and became the first
in the area to exploit the Indians to have them hunt beaver pelts so he could trade with them and become rich buying them
and selling to eastern and European companies. Beaver
skins and hats were all the rage.
The Chellberg farm was part of a Swedish community in the
area. Swedish immigrants came from Chicago to work in the
northwestern Indiana sawmills in the 1850’s. Aren’t you glad
you asked?
Joseph Bailly Homestead with Becky |
Chellberg Farmhouse |
Then we were off to explore the famed Indiana Dunes.
Here, we found some:
These are the Dunes??? |
Looks a bit overgrown |
!!! While exploring the dunes, we once again ran into a breakdown and lost more tread !!!
Becky wore out her boots!
Well, we will recover from this setback also.
Wednesday, June 4:
It is another rainy day. After our full and mentally
exhausting day of sightseeing yesterday, it is now time to get
laundry done and kick back in the afternoon and watch a video.
We watched Bourne Identity; Becky’s choice.
Thursday, June 5:
With rest and new found energy, we are off to the Indiana
Burgoynes, Matthew, Tasha, Asher (5 years old), and Timothy (2 years
old) in Fishers, Indiana. Our mission: to windup and wear out
the grandkids and turn them back to their parents!
The drive from Indian Dunes to Fishers (176 miles) was
uneventful, thankfully.
After settling into our RV park, we met up late afternoon
just as Timothy was waking from his nap. He was a bit shy and
reserved, but that would change rapidly.
Tasha cooked us a delicious tortellini dinner with fixings,
and we had time to play with the kids and get caught up.
Friday, June 6:
Fix-it life, never ending repairs: the latch on the handle
to the freezer broke off. This is needed to hold the door
closed while traveling. I had noticed that it was very close
to breaking for the past couple of days. The RV park is right
next door to a large RV dealer with a repair and parts department
(good location). We stopped in on our way to Matthew and
family and got the needed handle along with a new handle for the
antenna.
We started the day by exploring the Indiana mountains,
um, the Indiana mounds. We visited the Mounds State Park and took a
hike and had a picnic lunch. The kids had a great time; the
grandparents survived. I thought we were supposed to wear them
out.
The Indiana Burgoynes |
Grand-mère with grandkids |
Row , row, row your boat...
For the afternoon, it was nap and rest time (including
grandparents) and then running around the backyard. For dinner,
Matthew BBQ'ed sausages, hot dogs, and corn.
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Saturday, June 8:
Saturday was the prelude to World Cup Soccer: Argentina
versus Germany. As tensions rose, we headed out to the soccer
field for Asher’s match (playing for Argentina) against Germany.
As the crowds swarmed, and the match began, Germany got off
to a quick lead with a goal off the first play; not looking good for
Argentina. Argentina remained with their power offensive lineup and
fought hard to the first “water break” where the players mingle with
the fans (or family).
After the water break, Argentina expertly executed an
offensive charge on Germany’s goal with a pass to Asher and Asher
slamming the ball home for a goal, his first of the season.
Next, Argentina went with their trick play that allowed a
Germany player to score a goal in his own goal: 2-1 Argentina.
As the match continued, Asher once again stole the ball,
rushed the goal, and scored: 3-1 Argentina.
Germany didn’t give up and scored a goal late in the match
but at the final whistle, Argentina won 3-2 (first win for the
season) with Asher scoring the winning goal; it must have been the
VIP grandparents. All is good and the Argentina players
enjoyed a post-match treat.
Asher makes his first goal! |
Asher makes another goal, the winning goal! |
For the afternoon, we attended a community day at the local
airport with various planes on display. There were some planes
taking off and landing but no aero-displays.
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Sunday, June 7:
We went to Grace Church with Matthew, Tasha, Asher, and
Timothy and enjoyed a great service. The kids love attending
their Sunday school classes. Afterwards, we enjoyed a relaxing
afternoon and a neighborhood walk.
All in all, a great visit but we failed at our objective of
wearing out the grandkids; quite the opposite, they wore us out!