Day 5 - Into Wisconsin

I would have liked to have spent an extra day in Ludington Michigan - there was more places on the Lake Michigan coastal area that I would have enjoyed exploring.

Ellen Griswold: I honestly don't think we're going to find the Grand Canyon on this road. Clark: Jesus, it's only the biggest God-damn hole in the world.

Aunt Edna: Clark, watch your language!

Clark: Make that the second biggest.

Tuesday's mission was to cross the second biggest of the Great Lakes (by water volume) on the SS Badger. We got up bright and early and conquered the hotel's 'make your own waffle' without major injury.

I was a bit worried that the 4 hour lake crossing may be on the boring side but it turned out to be a great adventure. There were enough things to explore on the ship and the weather was great for hanging out on the bow of the ship. The whole family was entertained by the bingo games in the lounge. The 4 hours went by in a flash and it was a good learning experience for the kids.

Ellen Griswold: Clark, let's just skip the house of mud. I think Dodge City was enough for one day. Besides, Catherine and Eddie are expecting us.

Clark: It's living history Ellen. But if you'd rather see your cousins it's okay by me. Personally I'd rather see a pile of mud than Eddie.

We arrived at 11am in Manitowoc Wisconsin and headed southwest to the Wisconsin Dells. I decided to take the back roads instead of the freeway. I found it interesting but I think Karen and the kids lost interest in the small farming communities after about the third one. We also hit a construction detour that added about 45 minutes to our trip.

We finally arrived at the Kahlahari resort in the mid-afternoon on a glorious summer day. If you are a fan of water parks - this is nirvana.

Eddie: I got laid off when they closed that asbestos factory, and wouldn't you know it, the army cuts my disability pension because they said that the plate in my head wasn't big enough.

After we dump our stuff in the rooms - the kids are frothing at the mouth to get out to the slides. When we get to the outdoor portion of the water park - we spot the Surro's (they arrived a day earlier) and we are starting to get caught up. Suddenly Brett (our kid destined to get a plate in his head) says "I've got to go on a slide" and bolts. Luckily I was able to catch him (barely) before he headed down the most intense slide in the park.

The kids had a fantastic time on both the indoor and outdoor sections of the park and were exhausted by the time the park closed at 1opm. We have another day and a half at the resort and we (Karen) is looking forward not having to repack for one night.

View from our room