Passing the Time

What to do when you have no sports and nothing is open. Go to Michigan of course! We've been there a lot lately. There's not much to do there either since it's shut down too but it's a change of venue nevertheless!

Lately, we've been exposing the kids to a variety of college campuses. We have time, it's outside so why not? So two weekends ago when we were in Michigan we took a little trip to Notre Dame (about an hour from our house in Michigan). I had been there when I was just a little younger than Austen but hadn't really been back since. I was quite impressed. Well, Notre Dame is certainly an impressive institution but the campus felt very east coast (which I like). But it also was smaller than I remembered too. I thought Notre Dame had a much larger student body but when I looked it up they had just over 8,000 students. What a difference from where Tom and I went to school. Still very impressive and their campus downtown was pretty much all new and very nice. Still Austen wasn't that impressed. He said it was okay but he wanted a Big 10 school. (I feel like we are biasing him a little bit given the two of us are Big 10 alums!).  I think he's visited 7 college campuses now at age 14 and his favorite is Michigan (if he can get in there) and then Indiana (love it!) but of course much of this depends on what he plans to major in. He's interested in engineering and of course Indiana does not offer engineering. You have to go to Purdue for that and I said that's the only college I won't allow him to attend (just kidding)! He still thinks he wants to play soccer in college too so we'll see how that plays out over the next couple of years. He's a smart kid so I'm happy with him just going to college for college.

Round Barn Winery Walk

Now that we've visited many college campuses close to Michigan, we had to think of some other outdoor activities. So we repeated a favorite from last year, pre-COVID - tubing! It only took us 2 hours after waiting in line to get on the hill but it was worth it and a lot of fun too! Hailey's feet were cold so she had to take a break (Dad packed the wrong boots) but otherwise we tubed for a good two hours. Hoping to get more skiing in too this season but the crowds are crazy since skiing is one of the only things people can do during winter and COVID has certainly made it more popular. Rentals run out early and the lines are insane. 

We also went to Round Barn Winery which has trails you can walk all year long and bring your dog. The trails travel through the woods and their vineyards and take you to another winery on a scenic 3-5 mile roundtrip walk. We got our hiking boots and some hot mulled wine for Tom and me (hot cocoa for the kids) and added this to our weekend activities. Sadie had just had surgery so she couldn't venture far (we put her back in the car after her short period of exercise) but it was nice to know that when she recovers we can bring her back here. Yet another thing to do in Pure Michigan!

Since more restaurants and facilities just opened now in both Illinois and Michigan, we're hoping we'll have more to do in the winter when we head up there. Sports have also started back again so it's safe to safe our trips up there will be a lot fewer too. But we are sure glad we've had Michigan to escape to during this long year. 

Notre Dame Famous Grotto

Notre Dame!

Tubing and the Magic Carpet!

Hailey's Toasty Toes