Our Little Family Adventure

A few weeks ago, Douglas mentioned that he was feeling the itch to take a few days off work and do something with just our little family. I, always being up for a little summer adventure, agreed immediately. But what should we do? Our criteria was cheap, close and something all three kids would enjoy. The last part of the list was easy. They like to swim, explore and do anything a little out of the ordinary. We took to Google and in a matter of minutes we both had stumbled upon Shawnee National Forest. It fit all of our criteria. The very next day we booked a cabin in the middle of nowhere and game planned our adventures. Our little trip couldn't come soon enough.

The car ride down was super easy. Em watched a movie, Aug shouted out every time he saw a tractor or anything farm related (which was constant) and B was happy. Our first stop was Garden of the Gods. What was fun about this trip was that Doug and I had never been to any of these places either--we were just as excited as the kids and didn't know what to expect. After lots of bug spray and sunscreen, we started our hike.

Right away there was beautiful scenery and cool rock formations to climb. Emery loved it immediately and was pretty brave.

Auggie was very cautious at the beginning which was expected and wanted. We have gotten a lot of "Weren't you nervous about the kids and the cliffs?" 

And the answer is honestly no. Doug always had one by the wrist and I always had the other. (We also lectured them before hand to not run and to stay close.) When it came to going out on a cliff, Doug would take them one at a time.  Sure, along the way we had to remind them Auggie to slow down or to listen but all in all, Doug and I were very proud of them. Way to go big kids!

Bennett, like always, was just along for the fun. We had never used a carrier with him and I would 't say he loved it but he also didn't hate it. Really I think he just got hot. So we took breaks often and let him out to sit on the rocks with us. He loves nothing more than to be included in on the fun.

Camel Rock---can you see it?!? The big kids and I had looked up pictures of Camel Rock and they knew that was the goal. The view was breathtaking. Emery wanted to know how all of the rocks and cliffs were formed so we started talking about the power of water and erosion...that was a bit over her head. So we decided to go with her favorite answer: God made the rocks this way. She liked that answer much better. 

We made it to Camel Rock! Emery in all of her exploring glory. This is Doug's favorite picture of the trip.

Auggie Boy made it too!

And can't forget Baby B!

I will forever remember this moment. 

Our first real adventure together. 

We ate a quick picnic lunch at the Garden of the Gods and then headed about 40 more minutes south to Golconda, IL. This is where our little cabin was. I happened upon this cabin using the Homeaway app and it ended up being perfect and so family friendly. 

There was a little pond with a beach area and it felt good to cool off after our hike...even though the pond was like bath water. The big kids liked canoe rides with Daddy.

And Bennett liked me. I could have sat there all day.

Douglas grilled me the best steak ever (I didn't dip it in Sweet Baby Ray's so you know it was good) and the kids devoured Mac and Cheese. Hiking makes you hungry!

This might be my favorite picture from the trip. Captures their personalities and love for each other. Oh--and I heart the Jammie/Rubber boot combination. 

That evening we played a rousing game of Candy Land (Doug won) and went for a ride on our cabin owner's side-by-side. The side-by-side (or Mule as Auggie calls it) was not suppose to be apart of our stay but the cabin owners knew how to make a little boy's night. It was very nice of them to let us use it both nights. We had had a big day so we decided that we could still do sparklers...it just wouldn't be dark. No one seemed to mind.

And then we ended the night with Oreos and milk. Got to treat yo' self when you're on vacation! I told them to smile and hold up a cookie and Auggie proceeded to shove it in his mouth instead. He was in heaven because he could finally dip something in his drink--he is constantly dipping things that don't go in drinks (French fries, strawberries, his fingers). I wonder how many times Doug has said "We only dip cookies in drinks" while we are at the supper table. He finally got to dip cookies! All three kids were out before sundown so Doug and I got to enjoy some peace and quiet (and wine) outside on our little porch. Perfect way to end a great day.

By the next morning everyone ended up in our bed. Not going to lie, Doug and I's bed was one of the best parts of the trip ha! Big comfy king plus lots of good pillows--one of my favorite things. While the kids and I did a little morning wrestling, Doug made breakfast and we were out the door by 9 with what we thought were set plans.

First stop was Cave-in-Rock. Doug and I thought the kids would think a cave was cool/different from the day before. We drove an hour there.....

And it was a bust! I don't want to offend the Cave-in-Rock fans out there, but it is highly overrated. It is just a.....cave. Emery is not a huge fan of the dark and it was of course dark. Auggie is not a fan of getting his tennis shoes muddy and it was of course muddy (I had to hold him like a baby the whole time because he was upset his shoes were dirty and I didn't want the mud on me) and we happened to get there the same time this older couple did and the man proceeded to make Dad-jokes the whole time but they all had some element of pirates cutting peoples heads off in caves. Because jokes about heads being caught off, especially when you are in a dark cave, always go over well with kids. 

So we struck out with the cave. By then we were hot, hungry, kind of frustrated and knew we needed to redeem the day. We had had plans to drive back and go to a beach but that just didn't feel right. With just about zero service, Doug and I decided to look up trails with waterfalls or something cool to see. Alltrails.com was our lifesaver. You can sort by areas or ease and many people have left comments so you can really read about each trail. The first two we read about were going to be too tricky for kids but the third, Ferne Clyffe State Park, sounded perfect. Or so we hoped. After some lunch and some air-condtitioning we were ready to see what this hike had in store.

And you can tell by the cute smiles above that we certainly did redeem the day!

This place was perfect and we already want to go back. We parked right at the trial entrance and it was graveled so we could take B in the stroller. Online it said the Waterfall was about a half mile in so we also packed flip-flops and towels in case we got wet. (Auggie must have the right shoe for the right occasion. Who knows...maybe if he had had his rubber boots on he might of liked the cave.)

The trail was super easy and kid friendly but the best and most fun part was all the little paths, caves and rocks we could hike on. I bet we got Bennett out of the stroller at least six times so that we could go off the main trail and explore. Emery loved every second and never wanted us to help her or hold her hand. She was brave and adventurous and I loved seeing that side of her. As we went, Auggie got the hang of it too. We would watch him as he slowed down and would look to find the right path to take. Bennett was happy to be carried and passed around (or to be put down just to eat all of his surrondings). Doug and I even took turns going up highish to see the sights.

We finally made it to the waterfall....with no water falling. But that didn't damper our spirits at all. Doug was brave (and maybe a little dumb?) and climbed up the waterfall rocks while the kids and I waded in the ice cold pool of water. It was very refreshing. Emery got soaked on purpose, Auggie threw rocks and Bennett ate them. Did you notice how gorgeous this place was. Great big ferns everywhere and everything was so green.

Here you can see where the water would have been falling had there been any. Em and I decided to be brave and went on a little rocked path in the water to just the lower part of the fall. Beautiful.

We didn't do as much exploring on the way out because by then we were worn out. See above.

On the way back to the cabin we treated ourselves again with ice cream. I think the bravest thing I did all vacation was pass back ice cream to a 3 year old and an almost 5 year old and trust them to not make the biggest mess ever. You should have seen Auggie's chocolate ice cream mustache.... 

We got home with plans to relax inside for a little bit and then grill cheeseburgers. Instead we ate hot-pockets and leftover mac and cheese and played in the rain that rolled in. Emery is our rain-dancer but this time she finally got Aug to join her. They caught rain on their tongues and watered flowers that didn't need watering. They had a blast. 

We repeated the first night with a mule ride (we counted 32 deer), sparklers for the kids and peace and quiet (and wine) for Doug and I. More king-sized cuddling in the morning and Doug made pancakes before we packed up and headed home. The kids wanted to stay one more night and I don't blame them.

Our first little adventure together couldn't have gone any better (well minus that darn cave). I would gladly do a trip to Southern Illinois again and soon. Who wants to go explore!?!