Unplugged Family Vacation, The Finale



Mud Island River Park

Our road trip sans electronics was full of memories.  The very best part was arriving at our destination and spending time with good friends.  That part went much too fast; we were soon back on the road, heading north.

Liam checking out the famous Peabody Hotel ducks

 I decided to take a different route home, as I found the original one along I55 extremely desolate.  On the way back I drove a bit east and drove north through Tennessee.  There wasn't too much to see (I'm head over heels in love with eastern Tennessee's natural beauty but alas, that was too far out of our way on this trip.)  Once again we spent the night at a hotel.  The boys went for one more swim, then we snuggled in the big bed and watched the X Games on ESPN.  Liam informed me that he would like to be a dirt bike stunt driver.  We'll see--after he parts with the training wheels on his 12 inch bicycle.

look, they gave us extra pillows!

The next morning we stopped at a playground before driving the last leg of our journey.  Temperatures hovered between 95 and 99 degrees.  Thankfully the park had some shade and the boys were able to work off some energy before being buckled in their car seats for 6 hours.

train cars on the playground--All Aboard!

Of course there were several stops along the way.  Cold drinks here.  Potty breaks there.  Both boys wanted to return to the giant McDonald's PlayPlace and I acquiesced.  You only go through Rantoul, IL once (or in this case, twice.)

one of our last stops on the road

We arrived home in the early evening, tired and hot.  The boys were happy to see their dogs, toys and DVDs.  Not necessarily in that order.  Since returning, several people have asked me if I would take the same trip again.   Absolutely!