A Fun Trip....Kinda!

The anticipation for our annual fourth of July fireworks was killing us.  So instead of being one of those families that does fireworks at noon on July 3rd because they can't wait, we decided to occupy our time at the Wildlife Center in Frankfort.  We started packing early that morning because even a "day trip" with 2 little ones is an adventure.  Drew had seen somewhere on the website that fishing was free, so he was all about it.  We loaded the car, and because Matt and Dani were visiting, room was tight.  I found myself in the very back of the Saturn with a stroller and a fishing pole.  It really wouldn't have been so bad except there was a floating hook from the fishing rod above my head.  I couldn't feel any of the air conditioning or hear any of the conversation but that really didn't matter because I was just trying to focus on not getting carsick.  After a breakfast run to McDonald's, we were off.  Everything went pretty well until we realized the dual adapter car charger was not working.  This meant we could either use the DVD player and keep Maddox happy or use the GPS and not get lost.  We had printed out directions, luckily, so we chose to keep "happy" Maddox around.  We drove and drove and drove.  What should have been a 30 minute drive turned into an hour.   Drew finally admitted that he was trying to find a bait store first and was lost.  We did the unthinkable.  We unplugged Maddox and used the GPS.  We drove in circles for about 15 minutes but, by golly, we got 6 night crawlers.  It seemed like we had driven to Michigan and evidently, Amelia thought the same because she yelled out, "Dad, it feels like we are driving to Jesus."  We finally arrived and the kids were excited. 

While we were outside looking at the animals, we noticed different trails you could take.  The path seemed very level and wide enough for a stroller so we thought we would go for it.  As soon as I looked down to see if Maddox was having fun, he fell asleep.

I can easily say it was the worst decision of the day.  The path got narrower and narrower and then it got steeper and steeper.  There were logs in the middle of the trail and steps about every 100 feet.  The only choice we had was to pick the stroller up and carry it over every obstacle.  Poor Maddox rode almost completely vertical the entire trail.

It was hot, we had very little water and no food.  (We did, however, have those stupid 6 night crawlers).  Matt and Drew were soaked with sweat and I had blisters on my hands.  You see, some of the bridges required all three of us to pick up the stroller.

It was brutal.  People were passing us on the trail and I could tell what they were thinking.  "What a bunch of amateurs!"  Get ready....1 hour and 10 minutes later, we finally made it out.  We were miserable but decided we had to see the animals that we had driven so long to see.  We hurried by the eagle, the moose, and the bison.  It was at the bison exhibit when a perfect stranger asked us if we were staying hydrated.  I almost wet my pants.  Do you know how bad you must look if someone asks you that?  We were done.  We headed for the car in need of food and water.  After a much shorter drive home, we took a nap and everyone recovered nicely.  Later that night, I went to unpack the car and there they where....a Styrofoam cup full of 6 dead night crawlers.  A great reminder of a crazy trip!