Chicago deep dish is the best food in the whole world.

We started the day early with some yummy Dunkin Donuts coffee, so by the time we got to the Museum of Science and Industry Samus and I were bouncing off the walls. There was plenty of gridlock traffic, but we made it to be first in line at the museum when the gate opened. The museum was amazing! We toured a Boeing airplane, U submarine, coal mine, and made our way through a mirror maze. We also flew flight simulators where, according to Jason, we were upside down most of the time. Sufice it to say, none of us will be becoming pilots anytime soon. We explored the human body, farm technology and so much more!! Near the end we were all dragging ourselves around, hungry and tired. 

As we were in Chicago, we decided we needed to have some authentic deep dish pizza so I called ahead to check ingredients and we set off. Near the end of another eon of gridlock, directions were misheard or mis-said. While darting through Chicago traffic we argued which it was. At any rate, we got to where we were headed approximately half an hour later. We parked and trekked another half mile to Pizza Due. It looked like a mad house, but the wait was only about 35 minutes. 

During that time we visited Trader Joes and Bloomingdales, which were across the street. In Bloomingdales, I walked around telling the boys to stop touching thousand dollar toasters and mixers. They did have really lovely furniture. Unfortunately, we would have to choose between having said furniture and living in a house. 

Finally our table was ready. We woofed down ten pieces of garlic cheese bread like a vacuum sucks up a sock. Then our pizza came. And it was beautiful. So much cheese! In fact, Lucas kept choking on cheese. Thankfully he lived and we sat in a delightful little food coma trying to make sense of the awesomeness we had just expierienced. 

We decided we were ready to go home to sleep, but what did I see? A seven story Sports Authority going out of business. Obviously we stopped and saved a ton of money on things we hadn't planned on buying twenty minutes before. Man we saved A LOT.  

On the walk back to the car I enjoyed the city while Lucas tried not to have a nervous breakdown. The sidewalks had too much "goo" on them and the police sirens were sounding every few minutes and he didn't like all the tall buildings. Poor kid. We got him out and he reminded Jason of the speed limit on the interstate. 

Thank goodness we've got nothing but the beach tomorrow. Which we will get to by driving around the dune. 

Pretty good day. We will certainly sleep like dead horses tonight. 

Samus and I trying to control our excitement. 

The gang. 

My attempt at a panoramic. Marcus can't hold still to save his life. 

First time on an airplane. A pilot that actually flew that exact plane was on board to answer questions. 

Jason's hair is no match for 80 mph wind. 

I tried to tell them we could probably hook this up in real life. 

Lucas mesmerized by confetti spinning violently in water. 

Cow on the moon. 

CHEESE!!

NEVERENDING CHEESE. 

Until tomorrow, goodnight from the Munsch bunch. 

Drive to Chicago

Today was a travel day going from Wisconsin Dells to Chicago.  Actually it's past Chicago we're staying at Indiana Dunes State Park.  The drive was ok, got into a lot of traffic most of it stop and start once we got close to Chicago.  Becky kept begging and pleading with me to switch lanes (like it's a piece of cake in bumper to bumper traffic pulling a trailer) but whatever lane we were in it ended up being the slowest.  We finally got to our campsite and made lunch then we decided to walk a couple of trails that looked like they would lead us to Lake Michigan.  Turned out to be a trail over Mt. Tom which is one of the largest sand dunes in the Park.  So we finally got to the lake and the boys jumped right in. Well Sam and Marc did at least Luke's a little more cautious and took it slow never getting in more than to his knees.  The sun set quickly and we ended up walking the final part of the trail through the forest in the dark.  

Here are some pictures of our campsite and our first walk to the lake. 

Marcus sitting by while I make bacon fried rice for supper

Our Campsite #91

 

 

 

 

View from the top of the dune

Top of Mt. Tom with my boys

Sam loved the dunes

From the top of Mt. Tom going down was all sand and and an easy jog... but what goes down...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The walk back up was all sand dunes and tried very hard to kill me

There goes the sun

The road to Chicago is paved with snacks.

Lots and lots of snacks. 

Thankfully, this time around we don't have any early morning departures that lead to over 13 hours on the road. So this morning we casually packed up and breezed out of Wisconsin. Sadly, we did not grab any cheese on the way out. But have no fear-we are staying in Wisconsin during our last stop too. There will be cheese. Lots of delicious cheese. 

Of course, the drive around the Chicago area was delightful. At one point I needed snacks and calming music to settle down. I was riled up about all the tolls we had to pay (which just create congestion), which lane was moving fastest, and people reading their cell phones while driving in stop and go traffic. Jason claims it was worse than Los Angeles (I believe he is suffering from "this is where I'm at right now, so this is the worst"), but not nearly as bad as Portland. Portland was a joke. Anyway, we kept on keeping on and were within thirty miles of our campground. Unfortunately, everyone had to go to the bathroom worse than they ever had in their whole life and because of the traffic and tolls we were not going to be getting off anytime soon. 

With contorted bodies and grimaces on our faces we pulled off on our exit and found a grocery store. There was some funny walking and no doubt concerned faces as we desperately searched for the bathrooms. Amazingly, and against all odds, nobody peed on themselves. It's the little things. 

Once setup at our campsite (Indiana Dunes State Park and National Lakeshore), Jason whipped up a batch of bacon fried rice. After supper we decided we'd casually walk to the beach. The map looked like it was a short half mile walk. What the map didn't show was that the walk was straight up and straight down the highest dune in the park. 

But once we got to the shoreline it was all worth it! It was breathtaking. The sun was setting over Chicago and the kids played in the waves. I love moments like that. Perfect little moments in time. And then we had to walk back up the dune. Perfect little moments in time Becky was gone. Sweaty, sandy, tired, and mosquito slapping Becky had taken her place. She probably needed a snack. 

Exhausted, and possibly hungry, the crew showered off and got ready for bed. Tonight we will sleep like dead horses. Tomorrow we will visit the Museum of Science and Industy in Chicago. I am so thankful for this trip. 

Goodnight from the Munsch bunch. 

On our way to the beach. 

Almost there. 

Luke playing in the surf against his will. 

Samus and Marcus frolicking in the water. 

Back up the dune. Did I mention we walked back in the dark? Good times. 

Wisconsin Dells Pictures

Noah's Ark was ton's of fun. The drive here was uneventful besides fearing running out of gas as we blew past the Rochester exit and hoped that in the next 30 miles we'd hit another chance at a station.  We stayed at Mirror Lake State Park, it's really close to the action in Wis Dells and has large camp sites.  I'd recommend it if visiting the Dells and you like to camp.

Here are some pictures, not many from the main event Noah's Ark except for right around where we had our stuff locked up.

 

Luke trying a Jalapeno from his nachos

Short hike to echo rock

 

 

Echo rock I guess?

Campsite #139

Yes I did finally achieve fire!

Sam working on his spear

  

Luke's birthday at Noah's Ark

Well it rained last night. Like a lot. A small stream was flowing beneath the camper right where all the chairs were stacked. Not ideal. 

We also woke up to rain and were a little worried that Lucas' birthday at a water park was not going to happen. At least I was. I was ready to scrap our tickets and buy new tickets at an indoor park. Jason, however, was far more optimistic. His radar and forecast (which is somehow always different from mine even though we both use various apps) projected sun after 11:00. Also, he wasn't about to spend more money on water park tickets. 

As Jason made us cinnamon muffins for breakfast, the rain let up. We changed and hopped in the car. It was still cool and cloudy but this was going to happen.  And happen it did. 

The day was spectacular! The park wasn't busy meaning we got to ride all of the rides we wanted. Everybody's favorite was the Black Anaconda coaster slide. Later Samus and I thought it would be fun to do a zip line over water. He sailed down the line with his legs tucked up to his stomach, dropped at the bottom, and free styled to the ladder. I envisioned myself doing much the same thing except I would crunch my legs up tighter. In reality, as soon as my butt left the platform I flopped down into the pool. Turns out I have absolutely no hand or upper body strength. In fact, I might have a negative amount of strength because that line did not zip one tiny bit. After that miserable failure I went on this crazy slide where they drop the floor out from under you and then you go upside down through a loop. It was not fun. But I did it and I'm glad I did. I've tried explaining my thoughts on such matters to the boys: even if you're afraid, you need to try new things. Don't let fear keep you from living. 

Speaking of fear, Lucas was pretty certain he was going to die today when he got on a flume like ride with Jason and the lap bar was 6 inches off his legs. He clung to the side of Jason like a spider monkey to it's mama. Once the ride was over and he found out he was alive, we went on the ride two more times. Both times he rode with Jason. 

Anyway, we spent approximately one million dollars on hamburgers and fries for lunch and then tipped them another quarter million dollars because I asked them to check the ingredients on all of the food. I'm a hoot to eat with now that I'm allergic to all of the things. 

After we closed down the water park and got back home, Jason decided that six hours of walking in 80% humidity wasn't enough and took a hike. What a nut. Meanwhile the boys and I hunkered down and watched a movie in the air conditioning. 

J never did get a fire going last night, so hopefully I get a Smore tonight. I'll keep you posted. I know you're on the edge of your seat to find out. 

Tomorrow we're on our way to beautiful Indiana. 

Great Lakes Here We Come!! But first a stop in Wisconsin Dells.

Today was pretty uneventful. I'd say that's the perfect start to a great vacation. No car, weather, directional, reservation, or setup issues. The youngest of the clan only had one mental breakdown and recovered nicely after some food. It appears we may have learned something last year. Who knew?

Today's entertainment included coloring (me), a thumbs up thumbs down mom's playlist challenge where I introduced them to Air Supply, Cake, Barenaked Ladies, Crash Test Dummies, and Jason Mraz, reading, and Pokeman movies.

Right now, it's dusk in Baraboo Wisconsin. The fire flies are out; so are the mosquitos, and Jason is struggling to start the fire. He's pretty pleased about it too.

Tomorrow we hope to visit Noah's Ark water park for Luke's tenth birthday. There's a sixty percent chance of rain but I'm hoping we're in that 40% that doesn't get the rain. If Jason ever starts a fire, I'll have a Smore and go to bed in the beautiful Wisconsin wilderness.

Wait. Did you know they have bears here? Craziness!!

Goodnight.