Weekend Getaway… with Kids

(Just a warning – this is a long post, but mostly pictures… you’ll just have to scroll a lot!)

We have been doing the usual for so long – well, I have been able to go on a vacation with the girls, but Jeremy has been left behind to work.  So, we decided to take advantage of a weekend to take a short family vacation.  We had went to Pigeon Roost Farms last year (see post), and we decided to use that as our getaway excuse.  Jeremy found a cabin at Dillon State Park for us to stay in – two bedrooms, stocked (with a few cooking things) kitchen, a living room, and screened-in porch.  It was great – better than a hotel because we had TWO rooms and a kitchen.  This is the next morning (very bad pic of me, but it gives you an idea of the cabin) and Madison’s secret hiding spot.

  

We left Friday late afternoon.  Madison, who usually loves eating at a restaurant, was strongly opposed to eating at a restaurant in favor of just getting to the cabin.  We stopped at a restaurant anyway, and then made it to the cabin by about 7:30pm.  We tucked the girls in bed not long after getting there, and we headed to bed as well.

After a hearty breakfast, we headed to the Wilds – the wildlife conservation facility run by the Columbus Zoo.  We were first told we would have to wait an hour or more to catch the next bus tour… we were devastated.  We asked again about 15 minutes later, and it was going to be only another 20 minutes; somehow some spots had opened up.  Basically you ride this bus around and look at animals with two stops along the way.  Note to those going… you should take your food to eat with you as the tour is 2-1/2 hours long.  We saw quite a few things and the girls stayed entertained.

We also attempted a family photo:

Madison had fun on the stops and viewing the animals

    

Ellie just tried to move as much as possible in her seat, but was a trooper.

    

We stopped at the cabin to feed Ellie lunch (we were a little off the normal routine).  Then we headed to Pigeon Roost Farms for the evening fun. 

Madison had fun, but was also tired from the shortened afternoon nap.  She went down the big slide many, many times

Ellie even tried it!

Madison rode horses

Ellie rode horses

We tried to get them to ride together.  Madison – the usually loving big sister – was having none of it!

Madison tried slides.

Ellie tried slides.

Madison walked the balance beam.  (Ellie did not)

The highlight though may have been the covered wagon corn box.  It captured both of their attentions for the longest.  Ellie didn’t even eat the corn!

       

We parents were content to let them play – just sitting on the bench eating kettle corn soaking up the last of the sun that day… beautiful

Our last morning, we had pancakes for breakfast before heading out for a short hike at Blackhand Gorge.  It is a beautiful place to go.  We stuck to the paved path because of the stroller, but it still had some good views….

   

We had a great weekend of time together as a family.