Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

Summer

Rollin’ on the river

Could it have gotten any better than a full day at Great America? Oh, yeah. Friday night we were treated to a dinner cruise on the Rock River. Great food, awesome atmosphere and a totally relaxing evening. When we had finished our scrumptious meal of filet mignon, baked potato and sautéed vegetables, we were invited to go topside whenever we were ready. I’d eaten on this boat before, but never had the pleasure of riding on the top deck as the paddlewheel boat cruised the river. It was amazing.

During dinner, we saw a bald eagle perched on a tree limb on the river’s edge. As we cruised, we took in the views of Stronghold Castle and the area’s famous Indian sculpture that towers over the river. Somehow these familiar sights are more spectacular from the river rather than the road.

We enjoyed the quiet of the evening, the chance to be a couple, without children, amongst other couples. A banjo player added to the atmosphere, prompting a few couples to dance.

Best of all, we got to share it with family.

Earlier in the day, we had yet another meal out, sharing lunch with my brother, the kids’ uncle Chris. Cool Uncle Chris from the city, as he likes to call himself, sometimes.  We ate at Sterling’s new Buffalo Wild Wings. And Isabelle got a new “friend.” A teddy bear named Herbert.

Another great vacation day in our summer full of memories.

A Great day

I’m learning to appreciate aunts and uncles. I remember how important they were in my life, and I love seeing how involved Isabelle and Corban’s aunts and uncles get in their lives. Yesterday, her aunt and uncle treated her, and the rest of us, to a trip to Six Flags Great America. I can’t remember the last time I’d been there. My brother and cousin and I went a couple of times with my grandparents and my uncle when we were younger. Maybe 20 years ago? Gosh, that makes me sound old.

Anyway, we squeezed the life out of that park. At least, as much as we could with a baby, a 2-year-old and 6 adults on a sunny day. We all rode the carousal to start. Isabelle rode a lion. Her choice. We took the train through the park. Next, she rode a balloon ride with her aunt and uncle. After that, we separated so that I could follow up on a hair-brained idea from earlier in the week. I proposed that the four of us — my husband and I, his sister and her husband — ride a roller coaster. Only one of that group actually really enjoys roller coasters. So, we stepped in line for the American Eagle. This is the ride that says “Great America” to me. It’s the one we always rode as kids when we came to the park. I remember feeling like the coaster was going to fall apart as the cars clack, clack, clacked along. As we waited in line, a relatively short 30 minutes, my heart rate increased slightly. My husband had the same feeling. But we were older now. Nothing to be scared of, right? Especially since everyone else in line, save one or two parents, was probably 15 years younger than us.

We boarded the cars and began the ascent before the “oh-my-goodness-why-did-we-do-this” plunge. We screamed. Our skin jiggled. We screamed some more. And when we were done, we raised our arms in triumph and screamed one more time when the operator asked how our ride was.

We had talked about riding more than one, but one was all my husband and I decided we could handle. We left the Eagle and went back to find the kids and the grandparents. We found our daughter joyfully riding everything she could in the cartoon areas of the park.

She rode these cars twice and made a new friend with the girl behind her. They rode together the second time.

We decided to head for Loggers Run, where we waited almost an hour to get soaked. But Isabelle could ride this one with an adult, so she sandwiched herself between her aunt and uncle with her MeeMaw in the front of the log. Mommy and Daddy rode together in the log in front of them. I was the front rider in my log, so I was soaked after the first little bump. We couldn’t tell if Isabelle was having fun or not. Uncle Jon’s screams might have scared her a little.

To reward ourselves for waiting so long in line, we ate funnel cake sundaes. Can’t say I recall ever eating one of these before, but it’s my husband’s family’s tradition to have them when they go to Great America. I can see why. Even for $10, it was worth it. Yum-my!

The group split again. Aunt and uncle went to ride Iron Wolf while Isabelle went to ride the antique cars. Corban and I took a break so he could eat green beans and bounce a little bit out of the stroller. After the cars, Isabelle splashed herself soaked in the splash pad at Wiggles World.

We ended the day at the Sky Trek Tower. As you can see, the smiles were worth the length of the day. Quick supper at Potbelly before we headed home. Another quick stop at Caputo’s to buy — you’ll never guess — Green River soda in bottles! Both kids fell asleep on the way home and woke up with smiles on their faces. A great day, indeed.