Twin Cities Area, Minnesota

July 27, 2018 / ontheroadtogether16 / Leave a comment

Sunrise over the St. Croix River after driving 900 miles from Pennsylvania

When you have two little hockey players in the family, the summer road trip has to include a stop in Minnesota. They call Minnesota “The State of Hockey”, so we enrolled both boys in the Top Dog week long hockey camp. While they spent their days on ice, Ryan and I were free to roam St. Paul and explore the state park where we were camping. Here’s how our family spent the week in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota.

Hockey

This was Liam’s first hockey camp, and Ryan and I weren’t sure how he would handle eight hours of hockey each day. The staff at Top Dog made the experience so much fun. There was a great mix of skating and off-ice activities that made the days fly by. Jack was like a shark on the ice, playing a mix of offense and defense, and working hard to stand out. I was proud of both of them for their hard work all week! And of course we had to visit Bauer Hockey Experience, a flagship store for Bauer with an ice rink inside, a knee hockey area for kids, and all the hockey equipment you could ever wish for.

Had to visit!

Trying out a shooting pad at Bauer Hockey Experience

On Wabasha St. in St. Paul

Liam receiving his award for completing the week

State of Hockey!

St. Paul

View of Raspberry Island from the Wabash Bridge

While the boys were at hockey camp, Ryan and I explored the city of St. Paul. We especially enjoyed the area around the Capitol Building, with several memorials and monuments, a big open area with beautiful flowers, and a whole line of food trucks for lunch. We spent one afternoon wandering around the city, walking over the Wabasha Bridge to Raspberry Island, and exploring some of the historic area, filled with beautiful homes.

Although we enjoyed the city, St. Paul definitely needs to address their problems with homelessness, mental illness, and drug addiction. We couldn’t walk down a block without being approached for money, and we witnessed several unsettling incidents involving unstable individuals in our time there. I hope that Minnesota finds a way to get help for their residents that need it.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

A fountain in the historic area

Capitol Building

Mall of America

Celebrating after a long week of hockey camp

You can’t visit the Minneapolis/St. Paul area without at least one visit to the Mall of America. I do most of my shopping online and try to avoid a busy mall at all costs, but the best things about the Mall of America aren’t the stores for shopping. There is a full-blown amusement park smack dab in the center of the mall with roller coasters, thrill rides, and rides for little ones. On our first visit to the mall, the boys begged to ride, but we told them they had to do a good job a hockey camp and we’d take them on Friday night. They earned their visit, and they stayed at Nickelodean Universe until the mall closed.

While there, we also visited the aquarium. We went on a weekday evening, and it felt like we had the place to ourselves. The shark tanks were amazing, the boys fed the stingrays, and they even had a section where you could touch the marine life.

Shark tank

Nemos

Jack at the touch tank

Feeding the stingrays

Liam in a bubble

We had been to the Crayola Experience in Easton, Pennsylvania a few years ago, but Liam doesn’t remember it at all and was REALLY into the idea of visiting the Crayola Experience in the Mall of America. After one failed attempt at a visit (it closes at 6pm

Crayola Experience

some days, leading to a Liam meltdown) we finally made it there. They have a show explaining how crayons are made, plenty of opportunities to create your own artwork in really unique and engaging ways, and a whole play area for kids. The boys had a great time!

Lake Elmo State Park

Our campsite (#13)

We camped at Lake Elmo State Park because it was a very short drive to St. Paul. Most campground near cities aren’t great, so I was pleasantly surprised when we arrived. It was one of the cleanest and quietest campsites we’ve been at (and we’ve been to a lot!). Our campsite was large and shady, with a great spot to hang the hammock.

Wildflowers along the hiking trail

The park also had beautiful wildflowers growing everywhere, and plenty of well-marked hiking trails. Ryan and I took a long walk one afternoon, enjoying our break from the boys. It was nice to hike without hearing complaints about someone being tired or hungry or their feet hurt. The scenery was beautiful

One of the best things about Lake Elmo State Park was their man-made lake for swimming with a sand bottom and filtered water. The water was so clear that I joked I could drop my engagement ring and find it right away. Ryan didn’t encourage me to try. We spent an afternoon lounging in the sun, reading, and eating a picnic lunch. It was a much-needed low-key week for us.

Minnehaha Park

Waterfall in Minnehaha Park

If you’re in the Minneapolis area, be sure to visit Minnehaha Park. I’m used to having to hike for miles to see a waterfall this big and beautiful. The park has picnic areas, a seafood restaurant, and hiking trails. We also saw bike rentals and playgrounds. The area is a peaceful way to spend a couple of hours relaxing from the craziness of the Mall of America.

Our week in Minnesota was fun for the whole family. The boys got their hockey fix, Ryan and I got some freedom to explore on our own, and then we had some great family fun at the Mall of America!

Champion, Pennsylvania

July 22, 2018July 22, 2018 / ontheroadtogether16 / Leave a comment

Finding a house to fit the Drake family clan without breaking the bank isn’t easy. When we found the Verlies property in Champion, Pennsylvania, it fit all of our requirements: plenty of bedrooms, a nice outdoor space, a firepit, and a reasonable driving distance for everyone. That’s how we ended up in Champion, Pennsylvania for a family reunion week, and I was pleasantly surprised how many fun things there are to do in the area. We had a great time enjoying the perfect summer weather while exploring this area of southwestern Pennsylvania.

Exploring Ohiopyle State Park

A portion of the natural waterslide in Ohiopyle State Park

When we heard there were natural rock waterslides, the whole family was on board for a trip to Ohiopyle State Park. I really wasn’t expecting the fast-moving water and sharp rocks, and as we watched others go down it looked like a painful ride. That didn’t stop most of our group from giving it a try. Even Jack (with the help of Jacob) and I tried the upper portion. Everyone who went down left with plenty of scrapes and bruises, but it was definitely a memorable experience!

Once the adrenaline rush of the rock slides wore off, we headed out on a three-mile loop hike to the Cascades. This was a beautiful section of the river, with little waterfalls, small pools for wading and rocks to lay out on. We had the entire spot to ourselves, and the cool water was refreshing after hiking the muddy hills to get there. The kids loved splashing in the water, and even sitting behind one of the waterfalls.

Lunch on the rocks

Under Cucumber Falls

Chillin in the Cascades

Exploring the pools

Jack having a great day

Enjoying the House

The best part thing about reunion weeks with the family is having downtime together. The house was perfectly set up with plenty of areas and nooks to relax and enjoy each others’ company. The front porch was a regular gathering spot for people to enjoy the never-ending happy hour of the week. There was a table that was used for everything from jigsaw puzzles to card games to dinners. And then there were the corn hole tournaments (draw from a hat to get a partner). The kids spent a lot of time in the library, coloring and playing countless board games. There was a firepit and hot tub out back, and a game room with pingpong and fooseball. We can have fun pretty much anywhere, but this house definitely helped!

Dinner on the front porch

Katie’s favorite charcuterie plate

Games in the library

Nightly corn hole tournaments

These chairs are too comfy!

Rafting Down the Youghiogheny

While in town to visit Ohiopyle State Park, we several rafting companies advertising various trips on different parts of the Youghiogheny River. Our family decided to book a self-guided rafting trip with the Ohiopyle Trading Company for later in the week. On the morning of the trip the fourteen of us piled into a van to drive nine miles up the river to the drop off point, and then we split up between three rafts.

I was definitely imagining it as more of a float trip, but it actually required quite a bit of manpower to steer and maneuver the rafts, especially in the shallow areas of the river where we had to work to avoid hitting rocks. I would recommend a guided trip to anyone who doesn’t have canoeing, kayaking, or rafting experience. All three of our rafts got stuck a few times, but we got the hang of it. There was a sandy beach for swimming and a picnic spot to stop to eat the lunch that we packed. The river was so peaceful and the scenery was beautiful. We didn’t see another group for our entire four hours on the river. I would highly recommend a rafting trip for anyone visiting the area.

Stand up Paddle Boarding (SUP) in Laurel Hills State Park

Jack working hard to stay on the board 🙂

Just a few miles away from the house, Laurel State Park was an ideal to spot to spend an afternoon. I’ve always wanted to try stand-up paddle boarding, and my sisters were game to try it. We weren’t sure how tough it would be, but for only $10 for an hour the stakes were pretty low. Luckily it was MUCH easier than we expected. Jack took a few spills before he got the hang of it, but he didn’t get discouraged and I was proud of him. There were also boat rentals, a swimming area, and plenty of hiking trails.

My first time on a paddle board!

Katie practicing her yoga moves

Jack & Ashley at the scenic viewpoint

Touring Laurel Caverns

Our last outing of the week was to Laurel Caverns. The drive there was full of steep, winding hills, but the view from the top was amazing. They said that on a clear day you can see all the way to Pittsburgh! The caverns are privately owned, and tours go out regularly throughout the day. We’ve been on quite a few cave tours over the years. The thing that stood out about Laurel Caverns was their used of colored light to emphasize the various cave features. We went into several “rooms” and passages, and the guide gave a good overview of the history of the caves and the science behind their creation. And there was cave mini-golf, so of course we had to play!

When we booked the house, I was worried that there wasn’t much to do in the area. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Southwestern Pennsylvania was the perfect mix of relaxing surroundings and activities that the whole family could enjoy.

French Creek State Park

July 15, 2018July 16, 2018 / ontheroadtogether16 / 1 Comment

A beautiful section of the Big Woods trail seen from a Ranger-led sunset hike.

The themes for this summer are National Parks and hockey, so each of our locations was chosen with one of the two in mind. Our trip started out at French Creek State Park, just outside of Reading, Pennsylvania so that Jack could attend a nearby hockey camp. While he spent his days on the ice, Ryan, Liam, and I kicked off our summer by exploring the park and the surrounding area. There was plenty to keep us busy, and here are our favorites!

Valley Forge National Historical Park

The 4th of July was a scorcher, with the temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. Jack had a day off of the ice so we spent our day at Valley Forge National Historic Park. This is the place that the Continental Army spent the winter of 1777, any soldiers lost there lives there. Independence Day was a great time to visit because there were several special events happening, including hands-on activities for kids, a community BBQ, and people reenacting some aspects of life at that time.

We started our day with at the Visitor’s Center with a quick video about the history of the site before boarding a Trolley Tour that took us around to all of the key locations. The guide was awesome, providing interesting facts and dispelling many common misconceptions along the way. (spoiler alert: most soldiers didn’t die from harsh winter conditions!)

When we stopped at the Mecklenburg Encampment, we were able to go into the huts (the boys tried out the beds), there was a musket demonstration, and period actors that helped Jack carry water like a soldier and Liam drill a hole with a tool that would have been used during that time period. Tickets for these tours are limited, so definitely reserve ahead of time if you’re visiting during a busy time of year.

Liam trying out the bed in a hut.

Jack carrying water

Prepping for the musket demonstration

Liam drilling

Just as we returned from the two hour tour, the boys were recruited to join the Continental Army. They were given wooden muskets and practiced the commands and marching orders. Then they made their own huts out of pool noodles using the same technique as the soldiers did in 1777. There was a spot set up to practice writing with a quill, a reading of the Declaration of Independence by a man dressed up as Benjamin Franklin, story telling benches from the Once Upon a Nation group, and much much more. We spent another couple of sweaty hours enjoying all of the activities.

Getting marching orders

Making a card to be sent to the troops.

Building a hut like the soldiers did in 1777

Final product!

Time for Junior Ranger badges!

My boys can’t visit a National Park or Historic Site without completing the Junior Ranger badge requirements. Valley Forge was no exception. They were sworn in and received their first badges of the summer!

We finished up our day at Valley Forge by driving back to Washington’s Headquarters. Both boys (but especially Jack) love the Hamilton story and were fascinated by the fact that he had actually slept in the house. They wanted to touch the banister that Alexander Hamilton, John Laurens, George Washington and so many other important historical figures had held as they climbed the stairs.

Washington’s Headquarters

There was a special program about spy techniques used during the Revolutionary War, and the boys participated while Ryan and I sat in the shade watching them write in invisible ink and get secret spy names. The only thing left to do was stop for ice cream on the way back to our campsite. It was a fun-filled hot and sticky summer day.

Hiking, Swimming, and Catching Fireflies

Liam hiking a portion of the Six Penny Trail.

Simplicity is underrated. A walk in the woods. A dip in the cool water on a hot day. Reading a book in a hammock. Some of my favorite things we did this week included little more than being outside and enjoying the company of my family.

On Monday, Liam and I took a hike. I was planning to do about 3 miles with him, but apparently my map reading skills need some work because that little boy trekked over FIVE miles through the woods. We saw some wildlife, pointed out interesting leaves, and stopped by a stream to eat our apples. Just me and my little guy.

Wildflowers and sunsets. What else can you ask for?

Jack couldn’t be outdone by his little brother, so he jumped at the chance to do a Ranger-led sunset hike on Friday after camp ended. We walked a portion of the Big Woods trail. This is a new trail that is ADA accessible and stroller-friendly. The entire walk was lined with wildflowers, and the sunset was picture perfect.

This week was hot. And I mean HOT. Camping is great, but you have to deal with what you get when it comes to the weather. Thank goodness French Creek State Park has a pool. At $7 per person it was a bit pricey as far as public pools at state parks go, but worth every. single. penny.

The pool at French Creek State Park on a crowded weekend day.

Liam is working hard for a catch.

Ranger-led programs are awesome. Some are more awesome than others, but they are almost always interesting, educational, kid-friendly, and free. We went to one hosted at campground called Fireflies: Fireworks of the Forest. There was a brief presentation about the various species of fireflies and how they produce the light, and then we headed outside to look at the patterns of their blinks. The kids were given nets to help them catch fireflies, and they loved it. The entire field was lit up and sparkling with the lights. This was an experience I don’t think my boys will soon forget.

Jack was the first to catch a firefly.

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

I had no idea what to expect visiting this site. It was five minutes from our campsite so we had to check it out, and it was free, so we figured, why not? But a furnace? It was actually much more interesting than I expected. The site is one of the best preserved early industrial plantations where iron was made. The self-guided tour takes visitors through the step-by-step process of making iron. There are many buildings to visit, including the collier’s hut, the cast house (which held the two story furnace, the barn, the store, the iron masters’ mansion and tenant houses.

On the weekends they activate the furnace and have iron-making demonstrations. We were able to see one. The boys even helped in part of the process. The grounds are beautiful and there were animals on the farm. It was a nice way to spend a few hours. Oh, and of course the boys had to get Junior Rangers badge #2!

Our week at French Creek State Park was a great way to start the summer!