Last week, I got a text from one of my dear Houston friends (who currently resides in Florida) that they would be staying at the Indiana Dunes National Park over the weekend. This was one short stop on their long family cross country RV trip, but it was only 2.5 hours away for us! Naturally, I sought accommodations immediately, which was limited to a Quality Inn about 6 miles away. Two days later we packed up the car and headed to Indiana!
We checked in just after the 3pm check in time, since we forgot about the time change from Eastern to Central. Which meant that we got to spend a little extra time chatting and playing on day one. Our hotel was not particularly nice, but all the kids were excited to stay in a hotel, since none of them remember the last time (which was California circa 2013/2014.)
It was super exciting to see Lucille (the RV) in person!
All the kids were in love with Edie, named for Thomas Edison,
Juliet in particular.
The kids were not sure of one another at first (they hadn't seen one another since 2014!) But once Samara broke out her inflatable tumbling mats, they were fast friends.
The twins adored Samara. She spent time braiding their hair and teaching them flips and stretches on her mats.
Back at the hotel, Grace and Juliet and William were all excited to sleep in big beds.
William had to share with me. And, since they put us across the hotel from one another (and on separate floors) I don't have any pictures of the big girls settling in for the night. = (
At about 11:30 I got a call on the room phone asking for the wifi password. I am not the nicest person when woken up (as any of my children will corroborate) so I'm not sure how I responded, but it was probably not very nice. At that point I would have unplugged the phone from the wall, but I wanted to make sure that the big girls could call if they needed me.
The next morning we were up early, since the time change was in our favor, ate the free breakfast and checked out.
They were fast to get out the mats for more jumping (and stretching.)
Girls admiring the flowers on the path.
Samara put a bow flower in Emily's hair. It really completes the outfit, don't you think?
The beach was about a mile and a half away, but part of the way was a busy highway. So, we all loaded up and drove to the Indiana Dunes. As we followed them, Billy read their custom plates (which are a play on their name) as "Attack Fam." It was really funny. ; )
William was not feeling well after physically exerting himself, and Alice just kind of felt this way about the beach for the first hour or so.
I did not want to deal with wet suits and towels, etc. So, mine just wore clothes that they could get wet.
The water here was very gentle compared to the two other Lake Michigan beaches that I've visited. The sand was much rockier though.
Garrett and Billy took turns skipping rocks with the boys. It was a fun time had by all.
The most surprising of the friendships was when Mitchell and Juliet started playing together. They both seemed to have a good time, but Juliet especially.
Once Alice acclimated, she scoured the beach for Petoskey stones. She didn't find any, but enjoyed finding a few other interesting rocks.
Everyone was a fan of the seagulls, until Mary Jaqueline informed us that they actually prey upon baby sand pipers. = (
Emily photobombing William.
Alice and Emily took turns taking over my phone. This left me with lots of pictures of Edie,
many pictures of trees, off centered pictures of Lucille, and a few posed pictures of children.
Samara found and inch worm, and they were all entertained as it made its way along her hand.
And Emily found a Northern Spring Peeper.
It was very cute.
We stayed past our 'leave time' and ended up eating dinner at the wood burning pizza food truck. It was very good.
The kids had fun dancing to some 80s music. The videos are even better. = )
Billy drove us back, and we ended up driving in the dark (and rain) but got home at a respectable 11pm.
It was so good to see them. And I'm so happy that now all of our children can remember them, versus just hearing their names mentioned every now and again. Who knows, maybe we'll get to see them again, and it won't take 7 more years!
later days
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