The Dells

The kids had almost an entire week off of school because of Parent Teacher conferences, and Columbus Day.

So the question of what to do over the long weekend arose yet again. It does every year. Every year we have big ideas.

We will drive to New York! (we do really need to do that!)

We will drive to Canada! (that was a new one.)

We will find a beach house up in Michigan. (yes, they have awesome beaches.)

Most years, we don't end up doing anything nearly as exciting as our plans would have us do.

Finally, Del talked me into two nights up in The Dells, Wisconsin. It is only a few hours away.

I must admit that I am not the biggest fan of the indoor water park. And the Midwest has plenty of them.
Huge warehouses, with water slides, and fountains of,  just a little too cold water, pouring all around you. I used to have more patience for them.

But now in my old age, they have lost their appeal. Basically, if I am wet, I am cold. Add years of chasing babies through the water because they need constant supervision for two or three full days at these parks, and I am burned out.

So, as I said, Del talked me into it. And of course the kids could not have been any more in love with the whole thing.
We stayed in a condo on the Lake at the massive Wilderness Resort. And while I may not be jumping in the car full of excitement to return, any time soon...

I must admit that it was kinda fun.

Or it could have been a lot worse.

Okay, it was kinda fun.

Anyway, having the kids be even just "that" much older this time around made the whole experience a lot less stressful than the last time we were there.

It is fun to watch the kids have fun.

Oh, and one cool thing that happened while we drove up there, was that the entire opposite side of the highway was closed off as we approached Madison.

I knew President Obama was campaigning at the collage campus there that day.
And sure enough, after a few miles, about 15 police motorcycles, then cars, came down the other side of the road. Then the two important looking black cars with the American flag, and the Presidential seal came cruising down the middle of the highway, with another dozen cars following.

I will come right out and admit now, that I am rooting for the other guy in the upcoming Presidential election. That would be Mitt Romney. But there is definitely a level of respect and awe for the office of President of the United States that you feel when you see those cars, that flag, and that seal go by.

I love America!
But my, oh my, when the President comes to town, and shuts down half the freeway for miles, and miles,traffic becomes a disaster!