We arrived in NW Indiana on one of the hottest days in 5 years. The temperature on the van said 102F at one point. What were we thinking? Well, we made these reservations 6 months ago when it was freezing cold, for one thing. The other driving factor was that our little girl was turning 12 the next day and has always wanted to go to the American Girl store in Chicago, so going we were!
 |
| Beautiful Lake Michigan! |
|
|
Thankfully, the lake temperature was only in the 70's. I remembered how it was 45 our first trip this season. I passed on a lake dip that trip. This time it was perfect and we went swimming twice.
Our big plan of the trip was to go to Chicago via the South Shore electric commuter train on Grace's 12th birthday. We had made the trip once before when the kids were small. I love the fact that kids ride free during non-rush hour times. And the train station is just a short one mile walk to Water Tower Place, the home of American Girl and Lego!
 |
| Waiting for the train to Chicago. |
The mile walk was not so bad considering the heat, humidity, and the warnings not to do anything exerting outside, which went unheeded. I wondered if that was wise. Thankfully, we have all been exercising this summer on a regular basis and the walk was wonderful. I enjoyed all the downtown sights, including the extra touches along the way.
 |
| Pretty planters! |
We arrived at our destination easily enough. Then we had to deal with the overwhelming "what to do next." That store was sensory overload! Grace quickly overcame that and we devoured the whole scene in about 2 hours. She even got her doll's hair done. And thanks to generous grandparents, she bought some lovely clothes for her dolls too.
 |
| Our American Girl! |
The boys, well, they were bored, but hung in there. They did make a stop at the temporary Lego store set up until the new larger store opens.
 |
| Grandma, Trevor, and Woody at the Lego store. |
All that shopping and walking left us super hungry, so we walked to our
favorite stuffed pizza place and made pigs of ourselves.
 |
| Giordanos Famous Pizza! |
The walk back to the train seemed a lot quicker. I wonder why that always is? Anyway, I want to come back and take a river cruise one day. I took one when I was a child once. I remember it was a great time.
 |
| Walking along Michigan Ave. |
The next day, we took an hour long naturalist led hike through the dunes discovering what not to eat. The naturalist showed us many plants and of course, I've forgotten them all. My motto is just don't eat anything!
 |
| Nature hike at IN Dunes State Park |
It started to rain after the hike, so after lunch we headed to a couple museums in nearby towns that we wanted to see. I just love touring old, old houses.
 |
| Brown Mansion tour in Chesterton, IN |
There is a small art museum at Valparaiso University that has a painting of the dunes that my husband wanted to see. The modern art cracked us up. They had some creative offerings that left us wondering.
 |
| The Chapel at Valparaiso University |
That night, we got some bad storms that kept us awake much of the night, so we decided to come home on Saturday, a day early. That turned out to be wise because it stormed again Saturday night and we would have been packing up in rain on Sunday as well. Coming home early was a blessing because we had an extra day to get back to real life and we got to be at our home church, too.
 |
| Wind farm in White County, IN on way home. |
Thanks for stopping by to see our vacation pictures!
Jenn
Thank you for sharing. By your pictures, you all had a wonderful time :-)
ReplyDeleteMaria
Glad you had a nice vacation despite the weather. Wow, 102° and you still walked to AG in it? I suppose it didn't seem too bad because of the excitement of getting there. I've heard taking the train to AG is the BEST. We never did make it there, but we have been to AG (3 floors) at the MOA which was fun, but since the girls are older...not that much of a biggie.
ReplyDeleteSo, did your Jeff like the painting of the Dunes? I like that old brick house...I could live there.
Glad you made the choice to come home early...home is always good too! There will be more camping trips...
Jane,
ReplyDeleteI could live in that house, too! If only it was not located on a middle school campus. Of course, in 1885 when it was built, it was in the middle of nowhere. I'd so love to go to MOA one day. Yes, more camping in 3 weeks!
What a neat vacation. Good food, things to think about, nature to enjoy, family fun, toys...what could be better? [o=
ReplyDeleteGlad you are back for you were VERY missed.
Blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary
What a great trip, I have always wanted to go to Chicago.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely vacation! The train ride would have been my favorite part. Love the beautiful city scapes. Someday I am going to make it to the American Girl store. We have been to the Lego store in St Paul. That was amazing!And that Pizza...oh my! I would have loved to see the inside of it.
ReplyDeleteOh my, Giordano's pizza, now you've really done it. That is by far the best pizza around. :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had such a good trip. I've always enjoyed walking around downtown Chicago, always pretty. :)
JoAnn
Wow 102, that sounds like my weather! Dh and boys are supposed to go camping sometime soon. I think I'll pass this time! Way too hot for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your pics.
Fun!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a sonderul time it seems even with the heat. Prety pics.
ReplyDelete