July 2009

Off to Wisconsin we must go...in July we took a drive (18 hours in 2 days) out to WI, cramming our Subaru with 2 kids, the dog and camping gear. We camped in Ohio, trying out 2 new State parks, one each way. Now I know why it is the buckeye state, having had to clear our tent site of about 2000 of the blankety blank golf ball sized nuts. One park will not be on the return list as it seemed to be preferred by people waiting for their audition call to reality TV and had biffys (outhouses.) We tried out our new family size tent. It is HUGE – suitable for a family of 10 who practice ballroom dancing on vacation – Jamie could stand up with headroom to spare.

And of course just to add to the fun both the adult sized, very expensive, but long unused and stored in a non-climate controlled attic, inflatable mats failed to inflate. Neither of us slept well, or really at all. I did get to hear some interesting night birds and owls, not to mention a train line somewhere... and locate several blankety blank buckeyes I missed when we set up the tent. Just the way to start a 10 hour drive.

But we made it! First and favorite stop, the Zoo. They have strategically located the carousel at the entrance next to the new playground. It's surprising that anyone gets to see the animals. Lela rode the lion, of course.

and the mountain lion. She doesn't discriminate.

So Lian wanted a lion ride too, but she won't go alone.

First and favorite stop (after the carousel), the lions, what a surprise. Henry treated us to a roaring exhibition.

Sometimes pictures speak louder than words.

Got to feed the goats. They serve the goat pellets in edible ice cream cone cups.

And there is a buying opportunity. More stuffed animals, just what we needed, NOT.

,

And I got put to work. Decided to close the pond, since it was pretty much a muck pit. Fun, fun, fun.