Day 5

21 June (Starved Rock State Park, IL)

This was my first day in session at the Goucher AP Summer Institute, and it was rough. I really had to force myself to stay focused, and it got hotter as the day went on. The sessions started at 8:30am Eastern time, so it was actually 7:30 - I begrudgingly had to set an alarm for the first time in a few weeks. These feelings were totally expected and reasonable, and I felt pretty empowered to be able to be professional productive while taking control on where it happens. It made this obligation/expectation easier to achieve.Cassandra and the kids went for a bike ride, 

explored the Visitor Center,

and found a public pool to use that was close by and really cheap because you're not supposed to swim in the Illinois River, which neither of us initially knew, but upon learning seemed entirely predictable and obvious.

It was 99 degrees, so it was a great call - they came back happy, tired, and refreshed (while I cooled off to the loud air conditioner inside the camper), even though Cassandra forgot to bring her bathing suit.

Driving through Ottawa, IL on our way from the park to get some groceries (and some unexpected treats) the next afternoon, I was struck by a sign advertising the office of Adam Kinzinger, the Republican member of the House who has been squeezed out of office due to his anti-Trump positions - we passed through a few contentious districts on our journey westward and back. I don't know much about his politics, but he clearly has a sense of character - perhaps shaped through this beautiful, rugged place. 

Driving into the grocery store, Cassandra and I noticed a place called Tone's Cones and Tone's Hotdogs and gave each other knowing eyes: let's surprise the kids with a spontaneous dinner and dessert. 

We hadn't eaten a single meal on the road since we started the trip, and it just felt right. After loading up for the first time with groceries, we drove across the street (through a very confusing combined-parking lot-and-drive-thru) and ate some delicious hot dogs (Chicago-style with relish, onions, pickle, tomato, and spicy pepper). 

We tried to order fried appetizers and really get at it, but they were out of all frozen appetizers! That was hilariously surprising.

Tones Cones was equally simple, incredibly scrumptious, and so much ice cream.

Cassandra and I shared a sundae, and Evelyn dreamed about completing their obscene "Belt-Buster" challenge - the "belt buster" was a threshold of excess Evelyn carried with her the rest of the trip.

Upon reflection, the two times I felt most uncomfortably belly-full were both in the greater-Chicago area. Is this a mid-west thing?

Move back to Day 4

Proceed to Day 6