The Strands do Tennessee. And Kentucky. Kind of.

 One of my goals in life is to visit all 50 states and because last summer we didn't go on any roadtrips, this summer I wanted to get the most out of our summer. First trip was to Tennessee/Kentucky. We could only go for a few days if we wanted to fit our second trip in this summer to cross another state off. 

Anyways. 

We left in the middle of the night so we can get to Tennessee in one trip (16 hours) and it ended up working out really well. 

Lucy would agree. I feel like we're road trip pros when a 16 hour drive doesn't even phase us. 

In Tennessee, our destination was Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge which I actually didn't realize was such a tourist mecca. It was like Branson, Missouri in my opinion. 

Highlights of our trip was Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. I highly recommend it if you're in the area, especially if you're a fan of sharks. They have a really cool shark area with species I hadn't even heard of. I'm not even sure we saw every area but the kids were getting tired (we walked around for two hours). I definity wouldn't recommend the "boat ride" which is literally a glass bottom boat, tethered, and goes in a slow circle and you see everything you saw in the shark area. It was an outrageous money grab and the kids were disappointed. 

We also went to the Skylift Park and Skylift Bridge on what felt like the hottest day of the week. You ride up on a gondola to get to the top, which is the gorgeous park area. The bridge itself is long with a glass bottom at the mid-point. It was SO hot outside so I only made it to the half way point before I had to turn around. I think a combination of the heat and height got to me because on my walk back I got so dizzy. I had to rest and hydrate when I got to the end. Conveniently, the park has lots of chairs to rest and enjoy the view. 

I mean, I could sit and look at this for hours. 

Jackson didn't love the height of the day so he was the real sport this day. 

We did some walking around Gatlinburg to see some shops and Jackson hit the motherlode when he found a small music store. He got some vinyl he's been searching for at an unbelieveable price, and a couple of posters that will look great in his room. 

We spent a night having dinner at the Island in Pigeon Forge and went with Margaritaville, a favorite of Jackson. We also walked around there and the little girls rode some rides. I was actually surprised it wasn't more busy, but maybe it was the heat. 

The next day we went to Dollywood and unpopular opinion.... I thought it was overrated. We didn't do the water park side, just the amusement park, but I wasn't impressed. It was overpriced, the food wasn't great, there was almost no shade and sitting areas in the shade, it was just a really long, rough day. The only positive was the lines for rides actually weren't that long so the kids were able to ride as many as they would like to. The best part of the day was paying the extra $45 for preferred parking because by the end of the day my legs were screaming. 

Another part of our trip was going to the Titanic museum, which was a wish from Penelope. She's obsessed and she was all over the place taking it all in. Unfortunately, my traveler and Jackson's traveler died, everyone else's survived. 

Even the big kids had a great time. I definitely recommend this if you're looking for something to do indoors. 

We also did some mini-golf, as recommended by all of the kids, and I had actually never mini-golfed before so I got to do something new. Recommendation: go to Pigeon Forge to golf, and go in the morning, otherwise the lines are long and you'll be rushed. 

Our very last day we drove to Bowling Green, Kentucky so we could go to Beech Bend Amusement Park. We weren't doing the amusement side, just the water park side. The kids a great day, I spent almost seven hours sitting in a shaded cabana because I forgot my book at the hotel and didn't have a current one on my phone. Rookie move! The park was OK, I'm not sure I wouldn't go out of my way to go here again, but if you're in the area and need somehting to do, it might be a fun day. 

Overall? We had a really nice week. It was so nice to go on vacation with all of us again, I can't wait for our next one to Michigan. 

The Strand Six: Iowa Vacation

I know I normally break our vacation wrap up posts with a couple so they aren't so long, but for the sake of time and the ridiculous list of things I have one week to get done... you're getting it all now. 

Before I go further though, everyone has asked us, "why Iowa?" and the simplest answer is..... we needed to cross it off our map. We have a goal of seeing as many states together as we can and we've done a bunch around MN/WI where we live, except Iowa. It's always the drive-through-it state but you guys- we need to collectively stop dissing Iowa. Iowa is fun and Iowa isn't getting the respect it deserves. 

We took off on Friday and I was so damn sick. No, I wasn't Covid sick, I was adrenaline crash sick. The night before was ROUGH and I won't get into that, but just know that as parents, Matt and I are dealing with a lot and it's a constant barrage of stuff and frankly, that Thursday was just really almost too much for me. Well, I guess it was because that Friday my body was like, "girl- you're done". I was on the verge of throwing up the entire day (and the next), I was in and out of consciousness, I felt like it took everything in me just to sit up straight in the car, my stomach hurt so bad and I had the worst headache. I was awful and I very much do not recommend going on a road trip in these conditions. Anyways. The show goes on, as they say. 

We stopped at Minnesota's Largest Candy Store in Jordan, Minnesota. If you've never been, it's worth the stop, the kids absolutely loved it. 

We then hauled it to Blue Earth, Minnesota to see the Jolly Green Giant Statue Park, and this was so pretty. Not only is this little town really pretty, but they have little Sprout statues all over and you can do a little scavenger hunt to find them all. I'm sad we didn't have enough time to do that. We had to hustle to get to Des Moines, Iowa because that was where we were exploring first. 

We ended up getting to our hotel late (for Pep and Lu) and our hotel was just the worst. It really was. It literally smelled like garlic bread and not even good garlic bread. Ugh. 

The next day we went to Blank Park Zoo, which was a really great little zoo. We saw a ton of animals, the zoo was incredibly well laid out and clean. It wasn't the biggest zoo we've gone to but it was worth our trip. 

After the zoo we decided to go on a train ride, mostly because Penelope asked for one. We drove to Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum because we had tickets for the Fraser Train. We got there a little early, so we explored the museum and got to climb onto a train. The museum isn't near as cool as the one we have local to us, but what they had was a little bit different so it wasn't a total waste. The train ride though? Beautiful. 

We went over a bridge and I'm not kidding, in the fall this would be STUNNING. The views are beautiful but I can say that is the highest up off the ground I've ever been while in a train!

For dinner, we took a chance on the Drake Diner (which Jackson later discovered was home to a couple of murders and I'm telling you, knowing that know makes me feel strange). The food was great and the decor/restaurant was beautiful. It's a cool little gem in the middle of a neighborhood. 

That's how we ended our first full day in Des Moines. We were exhausted but got to hear a dance party in the hotel parking lot for three hours in the middle of the night. Loved that. :/ 

The very next day we had to get up super early because we had tickets for the 9-12 slot at the Science Center of Iowa. This was a pick from the big kids because they really get into science things, but it turned out being a huge hit for all four kids. I can't hate that. Easily the best areas were the Build It area (you can make a building and see if it withstands an earthquake) and the area with circuits. Penelope really enjoyed circuits and making things turn on/off. 

We ended up getting through the entire science center in about two hours so we had some time to kill before we would need to eat lunch so..... we decided to check out a local bookstore! This is quickly becoming one of my favorite things to do in a new town, and this one did not disappoint. 

Storyhouse Bookpub was the cutest little shop I've been in. We spent quite a bit of time (and money) here and I just wanted to hang out all day. The owner and her employer were literally the sweetest people, and gave us a little scavenger hunt around this up and coming neighborhood. Unfortunately, it was a Sunday so lots of shops weren't open, but Penelope was determined! She had to find a specific book in each store and have her sheet marked off. She went right up to store employees to ask questions, get her sheet signed, etc. You have NO IDEA how proud she was to get her sticker at the end showing she's a super reader. For real, you guys- this store is amazing. 

Also? Iowa has these awesome murals all over and I could have spent entire days just looking for these. But I love this picture because it's everyone's personality and there's Pep with her scavenger hunt sheet! 

Also? I got so many pictures of our family, of Matt and I, the kids, etc. I really wanted this vacation to count. 

After wandering around, we had about an hour-ish drive to Columbus Junction to see the Swinging Bridge Park, home of the Lover's Leap Bridge. We found it easily enough, had some disagreements on how to get to the bridge, finally deciding to take this weird little path which wasn't a fun one to walk. 

We did get a view of the bridge and doesn't that look like a fun one? This one definitely counts as our adventure card of this trip. 

When I tell you this was a swinging bridge? I am not lying to you. This damn thing swung side to side but also up and down and was the scariest bridge I have ever been on. It didn't help that the people behind us started being complete assholes, knowing full well that we had four kids on this bridge. So that was fun. 

We saw this at the end. Fun. 

We were on the way to city #2, Dubuque. I need to pause though and tell you that Des Moines was maybe the prettiest city I've ever been in. Everything was so clean, everyone was so nice and helpful, I really was sad we had to go, but it made me excited for Dubuque. 

We only had one full day in Dubuque so I knew we had to make it count! I knew during my research of Dubuque that I wanted to find some of these murals and we only got photos of a couple but there were SO MANY. If you are traveling through Dubuque, I so highly recommend you drive around and find them. 

I mean, how bad ass is that? I wish more cities had things like that, tap into the artists of your city! 

First up for Dubuque was the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. It's similar to the aquarium we have where we live (though that is solely focused on the Great Lakes), so I know going in that we would really love this and we did. 

We ended up getting there a little early, so we found a little walkway and decided to just watch the morning wake up over the water. It was really beautiful. 

The museum/aquarium was absolutely worth our time and money. We did everything this place had to offer and the kids were bummed by the time we were done. 

Afterwards we were going to get lunch, and I had found Shot Tower Inn online, and it was SO GOOD. It wasn't without drama though, I wanted to take the kids to take a picture of the mural and some guy, presumably picking up an employee from work, started screaming at me he was going to tow our vehicle away. I yelled at him for being an asshole and then, because I can be petty, proceeded to stand there within his view until the place opened for lunch (we had gotten there like 7 minutes early). We said something to our waitress, who made sure we weren't actually towed, and tipped her really well. She was the nicest and this place was pretty great. 

Next up? The Fenelon Place Elevator! I'm all about an inexpensive, quirky thing to do and for $4 a person, you too can ride on the world's shortest and steepest railroad! 

It goes incredibly slow, has a great view at the top, and the neighborhood at the bottom is full of fun little shops. 

We also found a Little Free Library! We didn't find anything for us that day, but it was cool to visit anyways. 

I inadvertently found a bookstore I had wanted to go to while in this neighborhood, too. When we road the elevator back up, we drove to the bottom and found some parking right out front and went in. 

River Lights Bookstore is beautiful. Again, Olivia and I bought a stack of books we don't need but you know.... buy local, am I right? 

We were going to try to go see some caves but in the end decided maybe the kids were wearing out. Our last stop for the whole trip was always meant to be Effigy Mounds National Monument. 

We literally had no idea what it was before we went and I'll be honest, we only saw three. The three at the start of the trail. 

This was something that Jackson had wanted to see and we realized it was one of the "special sights" places on our map that you cross off as you see, so it was a double bonus. What they don't tell you is the trail to see these? 

ALL UPHILL. 

Sure, there are two trails, a two-miler and a four-miler meant for a more "rugged" experience. The two-miler? Is not for out of shape folk. It's not for anyone with a bizarre leg malady we're still getting worked out, and it's not for a toddler who also seemingly has the same thing but the beginning stages. 

To sum it up? We made it .7 of a mile up the mountain before saying screw it and going back down. 

Looking at this it freaks me out because that is a straight down drop off behind Olivia and her legs kept giving out (it's a whole thing, we don't know what it is, we're in the middle of trying to figure it all out). Lucy had to be carried for awhile because her leg was giving out and she was in pain. Jackson had to hold me up. Only Penelope was ready to climb the mountain, and she let us all know repeatedly that SHE is just fine and SHE could do the whole thing, no problem. 

Penelope is not the motivational coach anyone needs. Unless being shamed by a six year old is what drives you, of course. 

We then drove like 5.5 hours home. It was late when we got home, the last two hours were ROUGH. The kids were all asleep, Matt and I had the music cranked so loud and nobody heard a thing. It was crazy. Was our summer vacation over? Nope! Tomorrow? We play local-ish tourists. 

The Strand Six: Road trip 2021

I know I mentioned awhile ago that we were debating on where to take our road trip this year. We spent a LOT of time (I'm seriously talking over 20 hours) to plan out two options. We picked two states that were closest to us that we haven't actually visited because we wanted to cross them off of our map. 

In the end, we chose IOWA. 

I know, you're like, "Iowa!? What the hell are you going to do in Iowa?!" and to that I say... we only kind of have an idea. We have some places/things to do written down that as a family we thought would maybe be fun. The real bummer is we don't have a ton of time so we can't fully see Iowa, so there is like... half the state we won't see. I know that we'll have to go through Iowa to other states, so we thought we could easily do some things on other trips, so it doesn't feel like we're cheating. The other deciding factor was cost. We are really sticking to a budget and trying to still do a vacation but be reasonable with cost. Our other option was Ohio, but when we listed out everything we wanted to do in Ohio? We didn't have enough time OR money, so that was a bummer because honestly, I was pushing for that. 

But you know what? We're going to have fun. 

Though not set in stone, some things we're hoping to see/do on our road trip at some point: 

1. Jolly Green Giant Park: Honestly, you know I love a good roadside attraction, and this one is pretty close to where we'd be driving so why not plan a pee break so you can see a giant green statue? You're no friend of mine if you say no. 

source

2. Minneopa State Park: Specifically, I'd like to see Bison Drive and the waterfall. Penelope and Lucy told me they've never seen a waterfall (and I don't think that's true, but also, I can't think of when it would have happened so maybe they are right). 

3. High Trestle Trail Bridge: I knew the minute I saw pictures of this bridge, I had to do it. We are basically banking on plan of getting to this bridge at night so we can see it. I'm also REALLY hoping it's not sketch at all to walk around at night. This might be the first time I'm hoping for a tourist heavy time slot. 

source

4. Blank Park Zoo: We actually enjoy going to zoos, and I feel like we basically go to one on every trip. I also feel like the quality of a zoo really says a lot about the city its in as a whole. If it's a great zoo, I leave that city with a great feeling about it as a whole. I'm snobby like that. 

5. Science Center of Iowa: I had some kind of fever dream where we did both the zoo AND the science center on the same day. I don't know what I was thinking, but dammit if we aren't going to try. I didn't think a science center would be a big deal, but both Olivia and Jackson really wanted to do this. I guess they had such a great time at the one in St. Paul, so we're going to give it a try. 

6. A giant swinging bridge. It's actually called Lover's Leap Swinging Bridge and I just really want to see it. And maybe even walk across it. It swings eight stories high and I already know Jackson is not about that life. 

source

7. Dubuque stuff. Honestly, this is where I got a little sloppy and have no actual plans. Help me. 

8. National Mississippi River Museum 

source

I am really hoping this is pretty great because it's kind of set to be our last thing in Iowa before we come home. 

9. Bookstores, obviously. 

River Lights Bookstore and Prairie Lights Books. I'm hoping that we have time to stop but obviously if we can't... we can't. And I'll probably be sad, but I get it. 

10. Places to eat? Am I missing things that I absolutely CANNOT MISS?! 

We are super excited, we leave for our trip soon, so stay turned for adventure stories. 

Sunshine, Turkey, and Goodbye

On our last full day that wasn't a holiday we decided we all needed some sunshine, so we headed to the beach. We always go to Madeira Beach because it's one I was at a lot when I was a little girl but it's also where Matt and I honeymooned way back when so we just always visit there. 

We had lunch with my parents, went in search of an ornament for our tree (tradition), and then headed to the beach. 

I know technically the water is significantly warmer there then it is at home, but I put my foot in there and it was FREEZING. I'm really glad I didn't bother with a swimsuit! I sat on the beach in my dress and watched everyone else out in the water with Matt. 

For a little while Lucy hung out near me to play in the sand, but she mostly went into the water. I forgot her ear plugs and honestly, her tubes already fell out awhile ago so I thought it was fine. 

Fast forward a few days and she had swimmer's ear and I've never had it but it looked horrible. Lesson learned: never forget her ear plugs!

Olivia and Jackson had a great time swimming and hanging out away from the little girls. I think they were glad for the break. 

Fearless Penelope was all about it. She forgets that she is only five and in fact, not a teenager. She doesn't like being held back but man.... she's ONLY FIVE. 

Lucy and I were buddies for awhile. She got a little scared once a wave crashed into her and I'm pretty sure where the water in her ear came from. 

I promise you these two are playing nice and having fun... though by Lucy's expression one can't be so sure!

I look at this photo and I think damn.... we are looking so old, it feels like we're aging at lightening speed sometimes. 

We weren't at the beach for too long, we had to be home for dinner, of course. 

The next day was Thanksgiving and, as usual, we have a pretty low-key dinner. We saw some family but not many, we ate some really damn good turkey, and we went to bed incredibly early. Our flight home was VERY early in the morning and the airport is about an hour from my parents' home so we had to get up around 3 a.m. to get on the road on time. 

Hot tip for you: go to bed in the clothes you plan to wear! We literally woke up, brushed our teeth, and left. Our bags were already packed, we were dressed, it was so much easier than trying to get organized on our way out the door. 

The kids were sad to leave but we'll be back soon. The cutest thing was seeing my grandma, in her pajamas, telling us to be safe and that she loves us at her fence. I love my grandparents so much but my grandma is just special. I think that's just what grandma's are, special. 

Our day traveling home was so long. We had a five hour layover at an airport that was only two hours away from our house. Honestly I don't know what I was thinking when I booked that flight, why didn't I just get us on a shuttle so we could be home three hours sooner? 

I have no idea. 

What I did learn is that you can use the app GRAB, and they will deliver food to your terminal. You order/pay on your phone, they deliver. It was so great because all of the decent food things were a million terminals away from us and I wasn't about to haul four cranky (and tired) kids around looking for food. I highly suggest looking into this app if you are traveling by plane anytime soon.

Overall? It was a good trip. I am glad we went, I was nervous the entire time, but I didn't realize how badly we all needed to go. We are hoping we can go again in the summer, or maybe when school is getting out, assuming Covid is under more control than now. I will say, people were very respectful of space and masks, and we didn't run into any rude people so that was really nice. It made the trip a lot easier for us.