Upper Midwest, Day 6 (Indiana / Home)
We have a six hour drive home, but first, Indiana Dunes National Park! The newest park in the national park system, just included in February of this year. I wish we could have spent a full day here, but we got some sightseeing done in the limited time we did have. Incidentally, today is Junior Ranger Day.
At the ranger station we received the junior ranger booklet for Seth to complete. He was able to identify animals that make this area home, and match them to their tracks. He did really well with this activity. He also put on a puppet show for us.
The ranger suggested we start at the Chellberg Farm. This area was settled by Swedish immigrants in the 1800s, and this land/farm was purchased by, who else, but the Chellberg's in 1869. Seth saw cows, pigs, and chickens. We didn't linger here since you can see animals anywhere, and the home itself wasn't open for the season yet.
From the farm we drove through the Century of Progress homes which were built for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, and later relocated by barge to this area. These homes can be toured as well, but they weren't open today.
Finally, we saw what we came for, Lake Michigan. It was cold and windy here, as in Chicago, and sections of beach were closed because of the white-capped waves. We did enjoy walking along the limited area that was open, and Seth was just so excited to be at the beach - even in a winter jacket. We were able to Chicago on the horizon (confirmed by the ranger when we showed him our pictures).
Back at the visitor's center, Seth was sworn in by proxy (Sal) as a Junior Ranger. He received a certificate and pin.
Finally, we could delay it no longer. We hit the road, and the miles flew by. Once we got back into eastern Ohio, we felt like we were home. We stopped at the same Ruby Tuesday's for dinner as we had going out, and the trip had come full circle. We may have invited Sal's Uncle Ernie to join us, but we'll be seeing him tomorrow at Easter dinner.
It was 9pm before we arrived in our driveway again, 6 days and 1,909 miles later. Fortunately for us, we're still on Central time so it doesn't feel as late as it is.
At the ranger station we received the junior ranger booklet for Seth to complete. He was able to identify animals that make this area home, and match them to their tracks. He did really well with this activity. He also put on a puppet show for us.
The ranger suggested we start at the Chellberg Farm. This area was settled by Swedish immigrants in the 1800s, and this land/farm was purchased by, who else, but the Chellberg's in 1869. Seth saw cows, pigs, and chickens. We didn't linger here since you can see animals anywhere, and the home itself wasn't open for the season yet.
From the farm we drove through the Century of Progress homes which were built for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, and later relocated by barge to this area. These homes can be toured as well, but they weren't open today.
Finally, we saw what we came for, Lake Michigan. It was cold and windy here, as in Chicago, and sections of beach were closed because of the white-capped waves. We did enjoy walking along the limited area that was open, and Seth was just so excited to be at the beach - even in a winter jacket. We were able to Chicago on the horizon (confirmed by the ranger when we showed him our pictures).
Back at the visitor's center, Seth was sworn in by proxy (Sal) as a Junior Ranger. He received a certificate and pin.
Finally, we could delay it no longer. We hit the road, and the miles flew by. Once we got back into eastern Ohio, we felt like we were home. We stopped at the same Ruby Tuesday's for dinner as we had going out, and the trip had come full circle. We may have invited Sal's Uncle Ernie to join us, but we'll be seeing him tomorrow at Easter dinner.
It was 9pm before we arrived in our driveway again, 6 days and 1,909 miles later. Fortunately for us, we're still on Central time so it doesn't feel as late as it is.
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