My Other Car is a Camper

A couple of evenings camping in the backyard last year has turned into our a new hobby of cruising Indiana in our new camper trailer! Having grown up camping, this is exciting to me. Jeff, on the other hand, is learning the ropes....

Just kidding! He's a pro at backing up the trailer and setting up camp! Everyone seems to be enjoying our new hobby.

In fact, our newest puppy (a term a use loosely since he's 70 lbs. at 8 months...) thinks this is a normal way of life. He loves our trips!

We've enjoyed several trips already this summer with 6, yes SIX, more planned into the fall. 

That's a lot of s'mores and family time. 

And one more picture....

Alydia wanted to celebrate her 10th birthday with a camping theme, so momma make this fun cake!

Happy Trails!

Purdue Half Marathon & 5K

A few months ago, I eagerly signed up for the Purdue Half Marathon. Running through campus & Lafayette was the ideal setting for my first half marathon. Unfortunately, once time came, I didn't feel like I was ready to run 13.1 miles (yet!), so I scaled back to the 5K race.  Regardless, we made a fun family weekend out of trip to Purdue!

I had to pick up my runner's packet at Mackey Arena.
The kids got their first look at it!

Testing out the cushy stadium seats!

My 7 a.m. cheering squad ready to cheer me on.
Some are a little more enthusiastic than others!

I don't like odd numbers, but at least I had a sequence!

I completed the 5K with a time of 32 minutes,
 and a personal best mile of 10.4!

Next up, I'm hoping to do a 10K before the year is over. 

Stay tuned...

Wine at the Line 5K....or 5 Mile

After I starting to doing 5K's last year, I have really enjoyed the different places & race themes I've experienced. My first 5K ever was the Warrior Dash, so everything afterwards seemed pretty tame. I've ran at night in a costume, ran through mud, ran through my town, and been sprayed with a rainbow palate of colors. I figured there wasn't much else that could be done until I found Wine at the Line. This race begins and ends at a winery with a complimentary wine glass & sample (which, by the way, is kind of gross after running....). Jeff & I decided it'd be a great date to do together.  Let's preface by saying that neither of us are serious runners, but figured it would be a good hobby for us to get into together. 

And although we signed up for the 5K portion, we accidentally ran the 5 mile route. Bad signage at the start.... But, I'm not complaining because the feeling of accomplishing a 5 mile run is exhilarating.  We were so surprised & proud of ourselves! I'd never ran 5 miles straight, ever!

World's Largest Ball of Paint

Today we visited the World's Largest Ball of Paint! 

To sum it up, it began as a baseball with layers and layers of paint. It now weighs over 3,000 lbs! Each visitor is allowed to add their own coat, so the girls stepped up for the challenge.

As seen in Alexandria, Indiana!

We painted the 23,322nd coat of paint on it!

We also each received a certificate!

Junior Ranger, Liddy

On Saturday, the National Parks hosted a fee free day for visitors. 

With that extra incentive, we visited the Lincoln Boyhood Home National Memorial.

Learning about Abraham Lincoln's life

The entrance to the park

We visited the pioneer cemetery to learn more about Lincoln's ancestors. 

Abe's mom,
Nancy Hanks Lincoln's, gravesite

At the completion of our tour & completing her Junior Ranger workbook,
Liddy received her official Junior Ranger certificate & badge!

She's our little history buff and nature girl!

West Baden Springs Hotel (Stop #3)

Along our trip South, we drove through West Baden & French Lick, Indiana. We stopped to visit the West Baden Spring Hotel. With the city known for its mineral springs, the area has attracted tourists for over 200 years!

Grand entrance with brick drive

Welcome!

After the original structure burnt down in 1901, the owner rebuilt it
more impressive than the previous building
 to compete with neighboring resort hotel in French Lick.
The new structure included (at the time) the world's largest dome roof.

Domed skylights seen from the lobby

In addition to the complex history of this building,
 it served as a seminary for 30 years until 1964 when it closed to low enrollment.

Stained glass was added by the Jesuits when they used the atrium as a chapel.

Seventy-five years after closing as a resort,
West Baden Springs was renovated & reopened in 2007.
You can see the hotel rooms overlooking the lobby
(behind that handsome toddler).

Oolitic, Indiana (Stop #2)

Some, including me, may not have any interest in just another small Indiana town. However, our quick stop in Oolitic proved interesting!

We were brought here to find the virtual geocache,
also known as the statue of the Joe Polooka.
He was an American comic-strip character
popular in the 1930s and 40s - plus he donned a cape!

Some of the largest limestone quarries in the world are found here.
Some famous buildings are built with Oolitic limestone,
including the Empire State Building!

And a discovery of Abe!

And excitement over an old carriage in downtown!

Now you know all about the .78 square mile town of Oolitic!

Oliver Winery (Stop #1)

Highlighting our recent Southern Indiana trip....

Two hours into our trip we stopped for our first stop, Oliver Winery. We also checked off our Monroe County geocache appropriately called "Adult Grape Juice".  I may have been biased for this stop!

Welcome to Oliver Winery!

Oak Barrels

Frog pond

Koi feeding for the kids

Tasting Room

Our Highlights of the Smokey Mountains

They may have thought I was joking, but I really wanted to see bears!
First 1/4 mile into our motor trail, we found some!
Mom is happy....kids did't really care....

We found out that this one is a nature-loving, rock climbing,
wants to move to the mountains girl.

And I would love hike this trail if I could! 

This guy just found the nearest karting place.

This city diva prefers more structured activities like mini golf.

The little one prefers to sprawl out in a king sized bed.

And all three act like they never get out of the house!
From the luggage cart, magic housekeeper that made their beds,
elevators and the rainbow cereal for breakfast,
I'd say they'd rank the hotel as a top attraction.

Tobaggoning in Pokagon State Park

The perfect snowy day to visit!

The best part, the 1/4 track downhill!

Back up hill!

Lots of walking, but worth it!

Our fearless and beautiful snow adventurer!

It's all fun and games until you lose your pennies....

We hit the Strip!

We went sight-seeing!
Recognize the Little White Chapel from Hangover?

Or the Pawn Stars shop?

We did it! We ziplined down Freemont Street!

We sat poolside!

Some of us hit the jackpot on penny slots.....
Some of us lost 1,000 pennies...
(Notice I'm in the background frowning
while my friend Amber is hitting  the jackpot!)