Today we drove to Indiana and through to Illinois. High fives for new states! Not 5 minutes before pulling in to our destination  the skies darkened. We checked the weather-no problem. No rain on the way. That green/gray/black cloud doesn’t mean anything. TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR! 

That’s fine. Deon needs to work, it’s time to make lunch, and the visitors center is very child-friendly. We spent a few hours here, learning, eating, wasting time (and Deon working). 

And, amazingly, the skies cleared! We found a parking spot close to tt beach! The water and the air was warm, and everyone had a good time! 

   
    
 
This beach felt so much like home. Sunshine, sand, waves. 

Now, I have something else I want to bring up. My kids (and maybe me, too) are becoming a little blasé. They didn’t blink at “Indianas tallest dune.” They are good at continuing to appreciate their experiences, but have seen enough to not be wowed quite so easily. I don’t know how I feel about this. I guess I appreciate that they are well traveled, and have a spirit of discernment, but I don’t want them to lose their sense of wonder at the world. 
And, we drove to Chicago. And ate pizza (because: Chicago). And, they didn’t love it. Not even Deon. We appreciated the experience, but deep dish pizza isn’t really put thing.