Lessons from a 6,000-Mile-Long Trip

New discoveries awaited us on our 6,000 mile road trip last month.   Our trip covered the states of North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, and a brief jaunt to Ontario (to sign real estate papers).  We certainly experienced America afresh, since we had become accustomed to the flatter landscape and fewer options where we live in Saskatchewan.

After crossing the border into North Dakota, the kids loved mixing their own soft drinks with the new custom soda machines at restaurants.  Peach Sprite was their top pick.  We also discovered how challenging it can be to find accommodations for a family of six.  The mid-range motels often worked best for us because we could get a suite for less than the cost of two rooms.  Maybe some day we will take on the challenge of camping, but our childhood memories tell us to proceed with caution.

As we made our way across the midwest, we enjoyed seeing some of the World Cup soccer matches.  I was impressed to encounter so many soccer fans in Columbus, Ohio.  Unfortunately it was difficult to find radio broadcasts of this worldwide sports phenomenon when we were in the minivan (which was a lot).  Do Americans really love baseball so much?  I guess I was oblivious.

Takeaway #1: Carry Protein

One practical thing that worked well for us was buying high-quality meat jerky as a protein snack on the road.  It helped us make it beyond the next highway exit when we wanted more options for where to stop and eat.  Being the exotic meat aficionado that he is, my husband bought kangaroo, ostrich, bison, and venison jerkies.  No Slim Jims for us.

Takeaway #2: Think Inside the Box

While searching a big box store for a travel container for baby wipes, I was astonished to find that a zippered case travel wipe pack cost nearly four dollars ($3.77 I believe it was)!  Nope, not gonna do that.  But I needed a container that would find in my purse--without robbing me of so much cash.  It took time to search and ponder what to do, but I settled on a refillable green plastic soap case that cost less than a dollar.  It served us well throughout the trip!

Takeaway #3: State Parks are Worth Exploring

En route to my parents in Oklahoma, we thought it would be fun to stop at one of Missouri's caves.  We avoided the steeper prices at the caves you see advertised on billboards.  Instead, we had a wonderful tour of Fisher's Cave, which was less flashy and more scientific.  Just what we wanted.  As an added bonus, the motel at Meramac State Park offered us a more affordable (spartan) room that slept six.  Getting off the interstate a few miles was definitely worth it for us.

In Oklahoma, we visited a park I remembered enjoying as a girl with my parents, Red Rock Canyon.  Even my two-year-old now has memories of our adventures hiking and swimming there.  I am so glad we went, and thankful that the weather was not too hot to consider spending time outdoors.

Upon Reflection

We were thankful to connect with family and friends we had not been able to visit in three years, and many got to meet our youngest daughter for the first time.  What's more, we celebrated a golden wedding anniversary for my parents-in-law and the wedding of our oldest niece.  It was an important trip, but not a vacation per se.

My husband and I returned to Canada feeling like we needed to get away more often.  Even if it's just to the nearest larger city in our our province.  Refreshment needs to happen.  We got a taste of it at family camp in May, which was helpful.  But we are nearing the end of summer wishing for more.

What do you consider to be the difference between a trip and a vacation for you? 

This post may be linked here.

3 Reasons Why Family Camp Was Just What We Needed

 I have good memories of going off to summer camp as a kid.  But my own family hadn't had a chance to go away to a camp until this past weekend.  And I'm so glad we went.  Here are three reasons why.

1.  The Fresh Air and Scenery

Where we live the land is flat and not particularly interesting.  There are no lakes, rivers, or ponds in our community, nor are there many flowers around, even after all the snow melts.  So it was lovely to enjoy the view at the water's edge and see the green hills of the Qu'Appelle Valley on our way there and back.  I spent many hours roaming the grounds with my youngest daughter and skipping rocks at the shoreline of the lake while my other children explored and collected rocks and shells.

2. The Food

I was unsure what to expect from the dining hall.  Memories of camp food from my childhood did not inspire me to expect much.  However, the volunteers at our camp made some fantastic meals and evening snacks for us.  The highlight was fresh donuts.  Move over Tim Horton's. Eunice makes some of the best in the country!

3.   The Freedom!

The best feature for me and my husband was that our kids were not always with us.  Not only that, I was free from my household responsibilities like preparing meals and doing laundry, while my husband was able to leave his job responsibilities at the office for the whole long weekend.  So we relished the opportunities to listen to Bible teaching twice a day while our children were engaged elsewhere in the children's program.  And there were other moments to sit and talk when our kids were busy playing and running around the campground.  We came back truly refreshed.

What are your summer camp memories?

Do you have a favorite spot you like to go for getaways?

I'm sharing this at the Pintastic Pinteresting Party and Thrive at Home Thursdays.

End of Summer Reckoning

It's been a while since I've linked up with the Company Girls.  While I've missed the connections and inspiration, I needed to take a break and regain some perspective.  Earlier in the summer I was very gung-ho about what I aimed to do offline.  Somewhere between my high hopes and low moments is where I think most of our summer days were spent.

Puddingstone necklace my husband gave me on our 10th wedding anniversary

What we did and did not accomplish in June and July:
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• We did not pick strawberries, but my children did go out and pick fresh raspberries from the yard during our two week stay in Canada.
• My husband took two of my children to the "mammoth museum" while my eldest daughter and I went to a book club at the library.
• We made it downtown to the farmer's market on several weekends and bought local, ethically-raised ground beef.
• Found peach ice cream to make Summer Spice Ice Cream Sandwiches (recipe here), but did not create the healthy version.
• We did a few of the activities on the summer calendar from Thriving Family and attempted a fourfold approach to structure our days--for about two weeks in June.
• Attended my husband's best friend's wedding in Ohio and made a customized recipe collection for my dear friend in California, whose wedding I was not in since our friends chose the same date.
• Finally spent some time with my grandparents in Ohio, after being thwarted last December.  Not long after we left, my grandfather, who is 90, was hospitalized, so I treasure the moments we had in July.
• Had a fun vacation for the kids in Canada, but not much true rest for my husband and I.  (I was not expecting much of a vacation for myself with three kiddos in tow, but my husband really needed more of a break.)

What remains (in the next 30 days):

1. Read the New Testament and review my study of John
2. Re-institute spiritual disciplines for myself
3. Begin teaching them to my children
4. Develop and follow through on chore lists for each child
5. Remove excess clothing and goods from the premises (via garage sale, city mission, etc.)
6. Devise and implement a schedule for being online.
7. Celebrate our tenth anniversary in Kansas City while grandparents care for the kids.

Though refreshed from being away and enjoying natural beauty surrounding us last month, my deeper thirst remains unquenched.  I know the simple solution.  Draw near to God and he will draw near to me (James 4:8).  Only then can I become the woman I yearn to be.

How was your summer?  Have you been refreshed?

Summer Travel Tips to Keep Us (and the Kids) Sane

                                                                      Photo by kevinspencer

Have you ever had a travel tale that featured multiple mishaps and regrets? While they make for interesting "war stories" later, I'd rather forgo the drama. Lately I have noticed a number of helpful posts and articles on preparing for smoother family trips. We are planning a huge road trip to Ohio and Canada in July, and I want to be well prepared. Here are some of the most helpful tips I've found or written:


1. Quirky Momma amazes again with this essential collection of more than 40 travel tips for families with toddlers and preschoolers.


2. Our family has endured road trips in the past year that did not go well.  After last summer's misadventures, I was compelled to share 8 travel pitfalls to avoid. Trust me, you don't want to repeat our mistakes!


3. Tiffany at Simply Modern Mom had a great travel series this spring. Check out her advice for international travel , domestic plane trips, and going on the road; you will become a more travel savvy family as a result.


4. As for handy travel contraptions to keep kids occupied,  I loved this homemade clippy toy and this travel art case .  Will I actually get out my mini-sewing machine and attempt to make either of them before July?   Or is it mere wishful thinking?   

If you have any more tips, please share them in the comments. 

And if you have a travel tip post, do tell!

Winter Road Trip Plan: To Grandfather's House We Go

Going on a winter road trip is not something I am eager to do. Summer road trips are difficult enough. Hopefully we will have decent weather and not pass cars that have spun off the road every mile or so. We drove under such harrowing conditions in 2000, the first year we were married. To risk traveling in December is something we have been very reluctant to do ever since. But this year my grandfather is turning 90 years old just a few days after Christmas. My daughters and husband are on an academic schedule, and this may be our only chance for many months to see my grandparents, whom we love and respect. The last time we saw them was two years ago.

So we're seizing the chance to go. Thus, in addition to celebrating Christmas this week, we will be busy preparing for a two day road trip to Ohio. We learned at least 8 lessons from our last road trip with the kids. We plan to put these tips into practice to make our upcoming winter trip, which is twice as long, go more smoothly.

I've also gleaned three more travel tips that I think are keepers:

1. Assign each child a roll of coins and take one coin away per infraction. When we reach our destination they can spend whatever remains.
2. Display a map or chart with a marker to show our progress to the kids. I used to keep track of our progress with trip tiks from AAA when I was a child.
3. Pick up a AAA tour book so we're aware of what restaurants and motels are available at each exit along our route. My parents used to do this, and I hope we can finally snag one and reap the benefits ourselves.

I'll report back after the first of the year and reveal how we fared on our journey!

End-of-Summer Getaway: Enjoying Chicago and Its Eateries

What are the best ways to spend three lovely days as a twosome in Chicago? Riding the "L" and the Navy Pier Ferris wheel ($12 for 2 tickets) proved to affordable and fun. We also managed to see the Harry Potter Exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry ($36 for 2 tickets). Enjoying some fine food cost us more than we'd normally spend eating out, but hey, we were on vacation, right? Even on a grad student budget, a couple has to occasionally take a well-deserved break and not fret about each penny.

Chicago's near north neighborhood is home to many of our favorite restaurants. This time we chose to dine at the Wildfire Grill and the Rock Bottom Brewery. We also savored classic Edwardo's deep dish pizza and sampled sausages as haute cuisine at Hot Doug's on Chicago's north side. We have no regrets.

What exactly did we find so delicious? At Wildfire, the macadamia-encrusted halibut was voted the best dish at our table. And shockingly, I was the one who ordered it! Hand-crafted beers, good steak and flavorful chili left us more than satisfied at the Rock Bottom Brewery. The 7GA IPA and Lemon Saison were excellent beverage choices, which one of us consumed, while the other just inhaled the bouquet of complex aromas.


Since non-Chicago pizza is almost always a disappointment, Edwardo's
stuffed pizza, my husband's favorite, was a must-eat meal on day one of our Windy City stay. Our third day in Chicago featured our first pilgrimmage to Hot Doug's encased meats, which convinced us that they were indeed a culinary triumph worth the wait. We arrived at Hot Doug's early and stood in line for 10 minutes before ordering five of the specials, which included elk, antelope, lamb, duck, and my favorite (I think): the "Uber Garlic Pork Sausage with Chipotle Dijonnaise, Vintage Cheddar Cheese and Roasted Garlic Cloves." Enough said.