Days 7-11 in Ohio
On Day 7 My Dad took Isaac, Charlotte, Paul, Michael, and I to Put-In-Bay on South Bass Island which is located in Lake Erie. We took a ferry across the lake. The ferries are much smaller than the ones we were used to in Seattle. Most people walked on, very few drove cars. The ship swayed much more and even splashed the kids once as they leaned against the railing.
Isaac was a little nervous about being too close to the edge. Grandpa Bird encouraged him to put his arms up and be brave:
South Bass island is small and the most popular mode of transportation is by golf cart. I noticed as we rode around the island that even the locals kept a golf cart parked in their garage.
Our first stop was the Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial commemorating Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry‘s September 10, 1813 naval victory over British ships in the War of 1812 There are 5 flags posted all over the island they are the US, Canadian, British, Ohio, and the battle flag of Commodore Perry which says: “Don’t give up the ship”
The steps leading up to the elevator:
Waiting for the elevator to go up:
It was very windy on top:
We found a less windy side for a better picture:
My Dad thought that they allowed 10-year-olds to drive the golf carts, but said that they had changed the rules since last time he was there, so we just pretended Isaac was driving for this picture:
We ate at a Chicken place my Dad remembered enjoying years ago. it was called Chicken Patio:
We followed that meal up with some fried foods that were a little more kid-friendly.
We stopped off at a wildlife museum on the island:
Paul posing like the beaver behind him:
You can’t really tell, but Isaac and Charlotte are reenacting the wolf/badger scene behind them:
We took a tour of the Crystal Cave which is the world’s largest known Geode:
Then we went on a winery tour that had free samples at the end:
After returning our golf cart we boarded the ferry to head home:
My brother Lee came over right after work. Thomas really likes his uncle.
The kids decorated paper dolls as part of our FHE activity:
Thomas has a very unusual way of eating popsicles:
Thomas and Michael fought over Lee’s attention:
Zach and Isaac playing a card game in the office:
Krista made an especially stretchy s’more:
Zach took a turn holding Asher while we played cards:
Day 8: Ila took every chance she got to hold little Asher.
We had a heavy downpour in the morning which turned into a yard flood. I was actually really happy to be able to share this familiar childhood experience with my kids.
Despite Zach’s concern over the cleanliness of the runoff water, he allowed me to supervise the kids in reliving some one of my childhood experiences.
Isaac was building a dam:
Nicole completely missed the experience and instead enjoyed a little quiet playtime inside:
My brother Bryan purchased several sets of Legos and let the older kids build them. Isaac really enjoyed this activity:
Thomas kept requesting to hold the baby. He also requested the ABC boppy to hold him on.
Grandpa Bird has a tradition of giving his grandchildren forklift rides when they come to visit. He lifts them up to pick a leaf and drives them around the driveway:
Krista and I dressed in our matching shirts for her last full day in Ohio:
On Day 9 I didn’t take many pictures. Krista got ready for the airport and left. My mom and I went out to snap a few pictures of the town and play in a park. We left the park when it started raining.
Thomas enjoyed playing in the downpour:
On day 10 we went to the beach. We drove up to Maumee Bay State Park. The kids enjoyed playing in the sand.
When Nicole was finished, she told us she wanted to go home and covered herself with a towel until we left:
My brother came over almost as soon as we got home. Thomas enjoyed some more time with his uncle:
On day 11 I took a lot of pictures of my parent’s house, packed up our suitcases, had lunch with my friend Katie, and we left for home.