Day 6 - Real Vacation Day

Today was like a day off from our vacation :-) Well, Don had to work for part of the day, but it was a day off for the rest of us. The kids had a "lazy pajama morning" (one of their favorite things) and watched cartoons while I read, then they had project time. This KOA doesn't have organized activities, which is fine by me, so the kids used a kit Gramma K. had given Gabriella to make masks. They're not quite done yet, but I'll post a photo when they are.

It's very peaceful here in Onawa, Iowa.

The view from our campsite - Blue Lake in the background

Turkey burgers for lunch, then the afternoon at the pool. That water was wonderful in this 100 degree heat. The kids' swimming lessons are finally paying off. We've finally discovered that both kids are much more comfortable in the water when they're wearing goggles, so now they both love swimming underwater.

We decided we'd like to go out to dinner, since we haven't yet been to an actual restaurant on this journey. However, there was not much to be found in the immediate vicinity, as the campground is surrounded by soybean fields. The small town of Onawa claims to have "The Widest Main Street in America." Perhaps it does, but there are no restaurants lining said street. So, we made a quick trip across the Missouri River and had dinner at the Green Lantern Steakhouse in Decatur, Nebraska. Later, we headed back toward the highway to make a stop at Dairy Queen. It's not vacation without ice cream, right?

When we got back "home," we met our new neighbors. One of the neatest parts of this trip (yes, I still call things "neat") has been meeting such friendly people everywhere we go. Something about campgrounds creates a sense of community and everybody is ready for a chat. The lady next door was a retired second grade teacher who told me about some must-sees in the Grand Tetons. My mom met a couple who just tented their way from Connecticut to Montana and are now on their way back home. With their three-year-old and newborn baby! And people think we're crazy! More power to them, though.

By then, we had just enough time to get cleaned up, have the kids do their daily journals, and read bedtime stories. Tomorrow it's off to a warmer climate! Oy vey.